God Revealed and Our Response
August 18, 2024

God Revealed and Our Response

Preacher:
Series:
Passage: Psalm 19

Has God Revealed Himself Enough?

Earlier this summer, I was at the park and was working through a spiritual questionnaire with a husband and wife. They both indicated that they had been raised with a church background, but they no longer believed in God. I asked them why, and the husband responded that had decided that there wasn’t enough evidence. And of course, this man I met at the park – he isn’t the only one with this objection. I’m sure he’s just one of a multitude who thinks that there isn’t enough evidence to confirm the existence of God.

But the issue here really has nothing to do with the amount of evidence, or the enoughness of the evidence. The real issue is that this man, and many others like him, aren’t willing to accept the evidence that God has provided.

In fact, a great number of other people, from around the world – even people who aren’t particularly religious – when they look at the world, they find that the evidence in support of God’s existence is overwhelming. They come to the conclusion that some sort of god must exist. There must be a higher power out there who set up the structure of the universe, and who set all things into motion. There must be a purpose to life. There must be a real standard of good and evil that we’re supposed to live by. They have no trouble finding evidence for God’s existence, even if they, perhaps, have trouble knowing what to do with that information.

But for you and I this morning, there’s no need for these things to be shrouded in mystery. The Holy Scriptures clearly speak of the ways God has revealed himself, and it also gives us a picture of how we should respond rightly to God’s self-disclosure. So please turn with me in your Bibles to Psalm 19. I’ll be reading the whole Psalm here, Psalm 19. But before I read from the Bible for us, let’s ask for God’s help as we hear from His Word:

[Pray and Read Text]
An Explanation of of Psalm 19
The introductory notes to Psalm 19 here inform us that this Psalm was written by an ancient king of Israel named David, meaning that this was written about 1000 years before the birth of Christ. And this Psalm neatly divides into three sections. In verses 1 through 6, we see that God is revealed in Creation. In verses 7 through 11, we see that God is revealed in His Word. And in verses 12 through 14, we see how God is revered by those who know him. These will be my three points this morning: 1) God is revealed in creation. 2) God is revealed in his word, and 3) God is revered by those who know him.
God Is Revealed in Creation
So first, God is revealed in Creation. Verse 1 begins, “The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.” Now when the Bible speaks of the heavens, there are times when it’s talking about spiritual realms, in the holy presence of God and his angels. Yet here when this verse speaks about the heavens, it’s talking about the expanse of sky and space above our heads that we can observe and admire.

So when this verse says, “the heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork,” these two phrases aren’t talking about two different ideas. In fact, it’s a common feature of songs and poetic passages in the Bible to have couplets like this, where two parallel ideas are placed side by side.

And when we understand that these two lines are parallel to each other, we can better appreciate the overarching point that’s being made here in verse 1. Our attention is directed upward, to consider the vastness, and the beauty, and the design of this incredible air-space that extends up and away for billions of light years. Even though the heavens don’t have tongues or vocal cords, they’re communicating to us about the greatness of God’s glory. And the sky above is making known to us the work of God’s hands.

And this is, of course, because the heavens are themselves God’s handiwork. Genesis 1:1 – “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” God brought them into existence in a demonstration of infinite power, as an expression of His creativity, according to his precise calculations and engineering. A stunning portrait teaches us something about the skill of the artist who painted it. A well-built home teaches us something about the expertise of the builder who constructed it. And in the same way, the sky above publicly broadcasts the news of God’s divine greatness.

It isn’t only the sky above that does this. The greatness of God is made known to us by the depths of the oceans, and the pinnacles of the mountain. We’re given a lesson about his glory every time we observe the flight of bumblebees and butterflies – every time we taste the sweetness of maple syrup on pancakes. Whether we’re talking about friction, or camouflage, or radio frequencies – the whole world pours forth speech, to confirm to us that there is a Creator, that God exists, and that He’s glorious.

And this message is proclaimed, and has been proclaimed, at all times. Verse 2 confirms that the sky above never stops declaring this message. Day to day it pours out speech. Night to night it reveals knowledge about God. Because from the very beginning of time, for thousands and thousands of years, whether rain or shine, up until the present day, the heavens have never stopped declaring the glory of God.

And of course, the heavens make this declaration in all places, among all people. “Their voice” – the voice of the heavens – “goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world.” If we were speaking about the ways that mountains or oceans reveal God’s glory to us, there could perhaps be some people who could excuse themselves and say, “I’ve never seen a mountain. I’ve never been to the ocean.” But every human being has some sort of exposure to the atmosphere, and the sky, no matter which part of the globe you’re from. It’s part of our universal experience as people on planet earth.

So no one can say that they missed the memo about God’s glory. Just as Romans 1:20 says, “For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.” Everyone has received this communication from God. It’s been confirmed to all of us that there is a God with eternal power, and with a divine nature. And we are all responsible for how we use this information.

We shouldn’t insult God by imagining that created things are on the same level as him – that they’re divine figures with divine power. It’s worth noting here, in the ancient world, it was rather common for people to think that the sun was some kind of deity. But this is clearly denied in verses 4 through 6. The sun is simply another part of creation, pointing us to the glory of the truly divine Creator.

Now, modern people like you and I probably aren’t in danger of falling down on our faces to worship the sun. But many Americans make the mistake of thinking too little of God and too much of humanity – too much of ourselves. We still blur the distinction between the Creator and the creation. We imagine that God owes it to us to explain himself in a way that satisfies our demands. We imagine that God’s ways for us are good, only insomuch as they don’t ask too much of us, or intrude too much on our personal life. We pretend that God is like a good luck charm or a sidekick – that most of the time he’s irrelevant to our life ambitions, but he sometimes helps us out when we hit an obstacle. But in all of these cases, we’re profoundly misunderstanding the relationship between God and us.

God doesn’t have to answer to us. We’re the ones who have to answer to God. The universe doesn’t revolve around us, but it exists for God. We see things all wrong. We spend our days asking, “What do I want,” as though we, ourselves, and our desires are what life is all about. But if we saw the world rightly, we would instead be asking “What does God want?” Because day after day, the heavens confront us with the glory of God. He’s the ultimate one. Life is supremely about Him.

Understand, though, the sky above and the rest of the created world can only tell us so much about God. It can give us confirmations of his supernatural existence, and display something of his vast strength and intellect. But observing the universe doesn’t specify what God is like, or what God wants from us. God has given us a general message through the created world, to the general audience of mankind – this is often referred to as God’s general revelation. But if we’re going to enjoy any sort of close familiarity with God – any sort of relationship with Him – we need God to communicate to us in a way that’s more direct.
God Is Revealed in His Word
And the Bible confirms that God has communicated directly in a special way. God has spoken. He has told humanity about himself with greater force and clarity using words. In fact, the Bible itself is the record of God’s communication through His prophets and apostles to mankind – it contains the words of God’s special revelation to us. And this brings us to my second point: God is revealed in His Word.

In the next section of this Psalm, from verses 7 through 11, King David expresses his delight in God’s Word – in the Holy Scriptures. Keep in mind, the main Scriptures David had access to at that point would have been the first five books of the Bible – the law of Moses – and maybe some other early writings or historical books, too, such as Joshua and Judges. Many other parts of the Bible hadn’t been revealed by God and written down yet. Yet David recognized that God and his word was profoundly good, and I want to point out why David thought this way.

You’ll see in verse 7, David says, “the law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul.” Often when we hear the word law, it doesn’t produce a warm fuzzy feeling in our hearts like it did for David. When you hear the word, “law,” it may make you think of intimidating, hundred-page documents that are drafted in Congress. Or the word law might sound restrictive and burdensome, or cold and impersonal. But the word law here carries with it the idea of instruction, or direction, rather than the idea of bureaucratic red tape.

The law of the Lord is something He personally provides to his people. The instructions of the Lord are perfect, David says. They’re without defect. They don’t leave big gaps, but they fit together, and make sense. And, David says, the law of the Lord is profitable for our souls. When verse 7 says that God’s law revives the soul, it indicates that it turns back the soul from a way that was wrong to a way that’s right. God’s instructions call our souls out of dull, lifeless rituals into revival and a heartfelt relationship with God. God’s instructions bring our souls out of the fog of confusion into the sunny skies of clear, simple truth. God’s instructions call our souls out of the labyrinths of temptation into the highway of righteousness.

And make sure you realize – the goodness of God’s law tells us about God’s goodness. The reason why the Law of the Lord is perfect, is because the LORD is perfect. God reveals himself to us through his instructions, and by teaching and training us, God shows that he really does care about our souls. He doesn’t turn away from us like enemies, or leave us alone like orphans. But he speaks. He reveals himself. Because he cares for us.

Next, in the second half of verse 7, David goes on to say, “the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.” The Lord is a faithful witness. He tells the truth. And the knowledge that God testifies about is useful for making foolish, naive people into wise, discerning people. We just need to listen.

Verse 8 – “the precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart.” Precepts here refer to legal standards. And David acknowledges that these precepts, these legal standards, established by God – they aren’t crooked and corrupt, but they’re straight and level. And the uprightness and equity of God’s precepts cause David’s heart to rejoice.

Why does God’s justice cause David to rejoice? It could be that David is one of those weird people who get excited when they see a well-drafted legal document. Or – this is more likely – it could be because King David has seen that God’s precepts bring prosperity and happiness when people live by them. That would make sense. But I also think it’s likely here that David delights in the integrity and justice of God’s standards, because they reveal God’s commitment to justice. Knowing that God isn’t a swindler or a crook – knowing the integrity and fairness of God’s character is certainly reason for rejoicing.

The next phrase says, “the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes.” David affirms here that the commandments of God are morally pristine, again, reminding us of God’s own brightness and purity. And the commandments of the Lord enlighten the eyes – these commandments bring sight. This, of course, is a metaphor. David isn’t saying that the commandments enable our physical eyes to physically see things. Instead, David is saying that the commandments of God enable our minds to see, to discern, to understand.

This is significant because it indicates that our natural human condition is one of being unenlightened – we’re naturally blind in our understanding – particularly in our understanding of God and why he matters. And as people who are naturally, spiritually blind, we’re susceptible to being pushed about in any number of unhelpful directions.

But God’s Word makes all the difference. God’s commandments bring insight and understanding. It teaches us about God’s purity and excellence, and also how to live in a way that honors Him. God doesn’t leave us in the dirt. He doesn’t leave us in the dark. But instead He gives us pure commandments that open our eyes, to teach us how to live.

In verse 9, David tells us that the fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever. Up until this point, David has been clearly making statements about God’s Word – the law, the Scriptures. It may seem at first that this phrase “the fear of the Lord” is referring to something different. But in keeping with the rest of the passage, I believe that David is still commending God’s special revelation here. David is likely saying that the principle we have been taught, to fear the Lord, is clean, enduring forever.

But when David speaks here about fearing the Lord, he isn’t saying that we should be filled with everlasting terror or dread toward God. It’s true that this is sometimes how the word fear is used in the Bible. But often when the Bible speaks about the fear of the Lord, it’s talking about the reverence and respect that the people of a kingdom owe to their king. The fear of the Lord is a humble affirmation of God’s power, his authority, and his rightful claim over us, to rule over our lives.

And even though David here is a king himself – even though he’s tempted in a thousand different ways to live above the law, and to rule the country in whatever way seems most convenient or lucrative – he strongly affirms the goodness of fearing the Lord. The fear of the Lord is clean. And fearing the Lord, revering him as our king, is of enduring significance and importance. No matter how far you go into the future, you won’t ever reach a time where the fear of the Lord becomes obsolete or inappropriate. The most fashionable thing we can do is cultivate a heart of profound submission and high esteem for God, because it won’t ever go out of style. The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever.

And, as David says at the end of verse 9, the rules of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. God doesn’t lie. God doesn’t compromise on his justice. God’s Word – the special way God reveals himself by speaking to us through the Scriptures – is a precious gift, that teaches us, and allows us to legitimately know the God who made us.

And when we reach verse 10, David emphasizes just how precious these words from God are. “More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb.” David makes comparisons here that just about all of us can relate to. David leads us by the hand into a room filled with piles of gold –as the king of Israel, David maybe even had rooms like this. And we’d almost expect that David would say, “Look at how much treasure I have! Look at how great my kingdom is!” But instead David says, “I know of a treasure trove that’s even greater than this – a treasure that’s cleaner, and truer, and more enduring.” The Scriptures. The Holy Word has revealed to us the Most High God. More to be desired are they than gold.

But just in case we haven’t gotten the picture, David leads us into the parlor and invites us to taste a spoonful of organic, wildflower honey. The sugars are so concentrated, and the taste is so sweet, we can hardly imagine that anything could be sweeter – but David again corrects our thinking. He has found something better – something of greater delight, with greater potential to nourish us: the Word of God. That’s what we should hunger for. That’s what we should be taking into our hearts.

And in verse 11, David explains part of why these words from God is so important for us. It’s because these words clarify what God expects from us. “[B]y them your servant is warned; in keeping them there is great reward.” God’s Word asks for a response. And the decisions you make – the ways you choose to respond to God’s Word – will come with consequences, either negative or positive. God’s Word gives warnings for the irreverent and disobedient. And God’s Word also promises reward for those who trust God and honor him.
God Is Revered by Those Who Know Him
And in the remaining section of the text, verses 12 through 14, David demonstrates his own response to God’s Word. He shows us that God is revered by those who know him. This is my third and final point: God is revered by those who know him.

David shows his reverence for God here in three key ways. First, he acknowledges the highness of God’s moral standard.

As David reflects on how God is revealed – how he has revealed himself, he’s reminded again of his own human impairments and wrongdoings. David is certainly aware of specific evils he has committed – the really bad and obvious ones. But in addition to these, David recognizes that God’s standard of perfection is so perfect, so high, that there must be countless other ways David has done wrong that he isn’t even aware of.

And this is why, in verse 12, David asks, “Who can discern his errors?” Because David knows that his ability to discern evil in his life isn’t perfect as God is perfect. He humbly realizes that he’s probably fooled himself many times into thinking he’s met the high mark of God’s righteousness, when in reality he’s fallen short. David confesses here that he has wronged God in more ways than he knows, because God is High and Holy. David reveres the highness of God’s moral standard.

But second, David also reveres God by acknowledging the depths of God’s saving mercy. When David sees his sin, he isn’t driven to despair. Instead, David runs to the Lord, because He knows who His God is. He knows that God provides righteousness to those who trust him, as he did for Abraham in Genesis 15:6. He knows from Exodus 34(:5-7) that God is “merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin.”

And so David is emboldened to call out to God, and to ask him for forgiveness. He says, “Declare me innocent from hidden faults. Keep back your servant from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me. Then I shall be blameless, and innocent of great transgression.” So notice, David isn’t running away from God, or trying to clean himself up before he comes to God. Instead, David acknowledges the depths of God’s saving mercy. He’s trusting in God to be declared innocent from hidden faults – to be declared righteous and justified. And he’s trusting in God to be kept back from presumptuous sins, and to gain freedom from the dominion of sin. He’s trusting in God to become holy and sanctified. And he declares his confidence that if God does these things – then, and then only will he be blameless. Only then will he be saved from evil.

Third and finally, David revers God by acknowledging God as His God. In verse 14, David prays, “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.” You’ll see here that David, willingly, offers his whole life, from the inside out, to belong to God. David no longer wants to speak up for his own impulsive demands. He no longer wants his mind and heart to be overrun with lustful, boastful, or distasteful thoughts. But King David offers up his whole life to a greater king.

And notice how David refers to the Lord at the end of the verse here. He speaks of the LORD, calling him, “my rock and my redeemer.” David himself has personally experienced God as His unchanging foundation and stronghold – as His rock. David has personally been delivered from many sins and trials. David himself has accepted that God is revealed in the world, and in His Word. And David has received the LORD as his God, and has walked with his God, by faith.

And as Christians, this is how we’re supposed to respond to God’s revelation, too. The testimony of the creation and the Scriptures should propel us in the same direction that it propelled David. But we at this point in history, we have something even greater than David had. God certainly spoke through the prophets, at many times and in many ways – but in these last days he has spoken to us by His Son. The divine Son of God took on human flesh, and was been born into our fallen world. He demonstrated His astonishing love for us by stooping down under the burden of our sins and miseries, and carrying them to the mountain of crucifixion. And this figure, Jesus Christ, suffered in our place, so that everyone who trusts in him, like King David, would be declared innocent of hidden faults – so that we could be kept back from presumptuous sins by the power of His Holy Spirit – so that we could be set free from the dominion of sin, and live as servants of truth and mercy.

David responded to Creation and the pages of Old Testament Scripture with profound reverence. How much more should we! We have the fullness of the Scriptures – the complete Old and New Testaments – pointing us to the way God has supremely revealed himself through His Son. Now that God is revealed to us like this – his commitment to us, and the effectiveness of His saving work, and the certainty of his promises – how much more should we drop to our knees before God, and revere Him?

We have received all the evidence we need to know this God and his worthiness. He is the rock of safest refuge. He is the redeemer of sinful rebels. And the testimony of the universe, and of the Scriptures, and of the Lord Jesus Christ is that God deserves your trust and your reverent obedience.

God is revealed all around us. He wants you to know him! Don’t cover up your ears. Don’t hide behind a pile of half-baked objections. That road leads to misery and regret. But as you hear the heavens proclaim the glory of God, and as you read the instructions of the Lord, and as you understand the kindness of Jesus Christ toward you, humble your heart. And lean upon the Lord as your rock, and your redeemer.