The Great Eclipse
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American President Abraham Lincoln said, “I can see how it might be possible for a man to look down upon the earth and be an atheist, but I cannot conceive how he could look up into the heavens and say there is no God.”
Psalm 19 is rich in theology. It eloquently illustrates the astounding truth that God, the magnificent artist of the skies, wants people to know Him personally. He has made Himself known to us through natural or general revelation and through special or specific revelation: nature and the Bible, His works and His Word.
This psalm makes a significant distinction between natural and special revelation.
In discussing the witness of the skies, David used the name God (El), which is a general name that means strong, powerful one. When he discussed the witness of the Scripture, He referred to God as the Lord—Yahweh or Jehovah—His personal name.
An important distinction emerges from these names: nature reveals that there is a God, a powerful, intelligent, personal Being who created and ordered it all. Scripture reveals who this God is: His personal name, His nature, and His incredible love and plan for humanity.
The General Revelation of God
The General Revelation of God
David looks to the sky
David looks to the sky
Psalm 19:1–4 (KJV 1900)
The heavens declare the glory of God;
And the firmament sheweth his handywork.
Day unto day uttereth speech,
And night unto night sheweth knowledge.
There is no speech nor language,
Where their voice is not heard.
Their line is gone out through all the earth,
And their words to the end of the world.
In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun,
The definition of the word glory falls short of conveying all that is contained in its meaning. The Hebrew word (kabode) literally means weightiness or heaviness, but in a positive way. It can be defined as honor, splendor, or greatness. To give glory is to assign a person the weight of honor he or she is due.
Words themselves cannot convey the glory of God. All the adjectives we can collect—magnificent, marvelous, amazing, awesome, dazzling, blinding, illustrious, radiant, resplendent, splendid, wonderful—are woefully inadequate. God’s glory cannot be described; it must be witnessed.
And witnessed it is when we look up into the heavens.
They declare the existence and the essence of God, His presence and His Person. The heavens proclaim the fact that there is a God, a personal Being greater than the skies, who created and ordered them. Their vastness and beauty herald the truth that this God is almighty, a God of infinite wisdom and ability.
An Uninterrupted Message
An Uninterrupted Message
Day unto day uttereth speech,
And night unto night sheweth knowledge.
Every day, the sun, the clouds, and the azure background testify of God. Every night, the stars convey knowledge of the one who numbers and names them all.
An Universal Message
An Universal Message
There is no speech nor language,
Where their voice is not heard.
Psalm 19:4 (KJV 1900)
Their line is gone out through all the earth,
And their words to the end of the world.
It extends to every nation and every corner of the earth. Its language is universal, a tongue understood by all. This is possible because it is a “wordless speech,” a language that “transcends human communication without the use of speech, words, and sounds.”
Their line is gone out through all the earth,
And their words to the end of the world.
In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun,
Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber,
And rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race.
His going forth is from the end of the heaven,
And his circuit unto the ends of it:
And there is nothing hid from the heat thereof.
David Looks to the Sun
David Looks to the Sun
David recognized the sun as the primary body of the universe (v. 4b). He described the skies as a tabernacle or tent in which the sun dwells, “the place the sun goes when it sets.”
The emerging of the morning sun over the horizon reminded David of a bridegroom gloriously and excitedly leaving his chamber on his wedding day (v. 5a).
He compared the daily circuit of the sun—its rising in the east to its setting in the west—to a strong, conditioned runner speeding triumphantly across the course of a race (vv. 5b–6a).
Tomorrow the sun is supposed to be moving at 1600 miles per hour.
As the sun travels its route, it provides heat for everything it crosses (v. 6b). Nobody—not one individual—escapes its warmth; nor does anybody escape the message it proclaims.
I have heard that during the total eclipse the temperature will drop as much as 10 degrees.
To deny the existence of God is to be a fool.
The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God.
Corrupt are they, and have done abominable iniquity:
There is none that doeth good.
I don’t know if it is a coincidence or not but we celebrated Easter 1 week ago and then April 1, National Atheist Day, and we came to church today with the attendance down from last week and tomorrow God is going to speak through the sky because people would not listen to his pastors.
the Bible says the rocks will cry out.
When considering the wonders of nature, simple intelligence and reason should convince anyone of the reality of God. This is the beginning of faith: believing what God has revealed about Himself through nature. The New Testament firmly establishes and clearly explains this truth (Ro. 1:20; 10:17–18).
For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:
But I say, Have they not heard? Yes verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world. But I say, Did not Israel know? First Moses saith, I will provoke you to jealousy by them that are no people, and by a foolish nation I will anger you.
Paul quotes David in this passage as proof that all people have heard the truth. Every individual has received the foundation of saving faith: the proof that there is a God to whom we are responsible. God has spoken to every one of us through His creation.
The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul:
The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.
The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart:
The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes.
The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring for ever:
The judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.
More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold:
Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.
Moreover by them is thy servant warned:
And in keeping of them there is great reward.
The Specific Revelation of God
The Specific Revelation of God
Nature reveals that there is a glorious God and Creator.
Scripture reveals this God to humanity.
God has given His holy, inspired Word that we might know Him and that we might understand His purpose for our lives and for the world.
Scripture begins precisely where nature leaves off: God immediately introduces and identifies Himself in His Word as the Creator (Ge. 1:1).
In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.
The opening (special or specific revelation) is linked to creation (general revelation).
God begins His Word by immediately answering the questions raised by the witness of nature: Who made all of this? How did it come to pass?
God progressively reveals more and more of Himself throughout the pages of Scripture until He fully reveals Himself through His Son, Jesus Christ. From that point forward, God is known by and through Christ:
And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
David sings the praises of God’s wonderful Word. He adheres to a deliberate method, offering an important truth of the Bible, then follows it with an invaluable benefit.
The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul:
The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.
The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart:
The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes.
The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring for ever:
The judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.
Verses 7, 8, and 9 are a forerunner to Psalm 119, the psalm acclaimed for its glorious exaltation of Scripture.
The synonyms used for the Bible in these three verses appear repeatedly in Psalm 119. Each presents a different aspect or purpose of God’s Word, but each also refers to the Bible in its entirety. Note the subtle but distinct terms in the verses …
The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul:
The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.
• the law of the Lord … converts the soul
God’s law is perfect: It is the source of conversion (salvation)
Perfect has two shades of meaning. It means complete or entire. God’s Word is His complete revelation to humanity. This is a significant statement about the sufficiency of the Scripture.
God’s Word provides everything God wants us to know and everything we need to know for this life and for preparation for eternity.
Perfect also means flawless, undefiled, without blemish or spot. This, too, is an essential statement about the inerrancy of Scripture. Every word of every statement in the Bible is true.
Converting (shub) means turning or returning to. The first great benefit of Scripture is that it leads us to turn to God. “As the sun returns in the heavens, so God’s Word returns the sinner to God.”
Scripture tells us everything we need to know about salvation. God’s perfect law reveals our sinfulness and great need for a Savior. It tells us about Jesus Christ and that salvation is possible only through faith in Him. Paul explained the broad purpose of God’s law in relation to salvation:
The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul:
The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.
• the testimony of the Lord … makes wise the simple
God’s testimony is trustworthy: It is the source of wisdom (v. 7b).
God’s witness in His Word is sure: you can believe it and build your life upon it. It is a solid foundation, one that will not crumble but will stand through the storms of life (Mt. 7:24–25). God’s Word will support you or hold you up in every situation you face.
The second great benefit of Scripture is that it gives wisdom.
Think about this wonderful truth: nature reveals that there is an all-wise God, one who designed and created an intricate, magnificent universe.
Scripture reveals God’s amazing wisdom to humanity. Through God’s Word, every person has the privilege of gaining wisdom from the Lord Himself. But a person has to take action. God will not force His Word or Himself on anyone.
Those who are simple lack discernment and good judgment because they are inexperienced and unlearned.
By studying God’s Word, they can acquire the skills necessary to be successful in life and to avoid its dangers. They can learn how to overcome or to deal with every enemy—every destructive force—they face (Ps. 119:98).
Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies:
For they are ever with me.
Every person who applies him- or herself to the Bible receives wisdom that exceeds all human education and learning (Ps. 119:99).
I have more understanding than all my teachers:
For thy testimonies are my meditation.
The Lord heartily invites each of us to come and freely partake of His life-giving wisdom (Pr. 9:1–6).
The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart:
The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes.
• the statutes of the Lord … rejoice the heart
God’s statutes are right: They bring joy to the heart (v. 8a).
The third great benefit of Scripture is that brings a deep, abiding joy to life. The Lord’s statutes or precepts are His “detailed instructions concerning the practical matters of everyday life.
For the Old Testament Jew, the statutes related to what they ate, how they dressed, how they kept clean, and so forth. God laid down certain basic laws and commandments, and the statutes applied them to specific situations.” These statutes are right—straight, upright, morally and ethically right. How do God’s statutes bring joy to the heart?
➢ They give us clear direction for the specific situations and decisions we face in life.
➢ They stir us to avoid the painful, tragic consequences of sin.
➢ They teach us how to please the Lord.
➢ They give us insight into God’s purpose for our trials and afflictions.
The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart:
The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes.
• the commandment of the Lord … enlightens the eyes
God’s commands are pure.
By using the word pure, David again declares that God’s Word is perfect, flawless, and undefiled.
Grasp its significance in this verse: God’s Word is a shining light for our lives. The fourth great benefit of Scripture is that it enlightens our eyes (v. 8b).
What does this mean? It means that God’s Word guides us in life, giving us insight and understanding (Ps. 43:3; 78:14; 119:105, 130). It means that God’s Word brightens our eyes or fills us with life and strength (Ps. 27:1; 36:9; 38:10; 56:13).
The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring for ever:
The judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.
• the fear of the Lord … endures forever
To fear the Lord is to reverence Him and to recognize His sovereignty, power, holiness, and righteousness. It is to understand that these attributes demand His judgment and wrath upon all sin.
This fear drives us to believe the gospel: to receive forgiveness of sins and to establish a relationship with God through His Son, Jesus Christ. The fear of the Lord is pure—cleansing and purifying. It compels us to live in obedience to God’s commands, to walk in holiness and righteousness. It endures forever, that is, it leads us to eternal life.
The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring for ever:
The judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.
• the judgments of the Lord … are true and righteous.
God’s judgments or laws are true and fair (righteous, just) (vv. 9b–11).
The word judgments emphasizes what God has deemed to be right and wrong. It is another term for God’s law.
Every one of God’s ordinances is a reflection of His holy character: He is the very embodiment of truth and righteousness.
This word reminds us that we all are accountable to God and that God will judge the world in righteousness according to His Holy Word.
David concluded his exaltation of Scripture by proclaiming what God’s Word meant to him personally.
More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold:
Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.
He would rather have God’s Word than gold (v. 10a; Ps. 119:72, 127). In fact, he would not just choose the Word of God over a small measure of gold but over much—a tremendous quantity of fine gold (paz). This is gold that has been carefully refined; it is the purest, most valuable gold.
David loved the Word of God. It was sweet to him, like the taste of fresh honey from the comb (v. 10b; 119:103).
Moreover by them is thy servant warned:
And in keeping of them there is great reward.
He truly valued what God’s commandments did for Him: the Word warned him of the consequences of disobedience, and it rewarded him for obedience to its teachings (v. 11).
The reward for obeying Scripture is great or abundant. Our reward in this life is the blessings of God, and our reward after this life will be received when we stand before God in judgment and enjoy eternity in His glorious presence.
May we—like David—treasure, love, and appreciate God’s Holy Word. If we will read it, study it, meditate on it, and obey it, we will please the Lord and enjoy the fullness of God’s blessings through its life-changing power!
The Impact of the Revelation of God
The Impact of the Revelation of God
Who can understand his errors?
Cleanse thou me from secret faults.
Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins;
Let them not have dominion over me:
Then shall I be upright,
And I shall be innocent from the great transgression.
Let the words of my mouth,
And the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight,
O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.
In general revelation—God’s witness through His works—we see that God’s wisdom and power are infinite, limitless. In contrast, we are small; we are subject to Him; we are his servants (vv. 11, 13).
In special or specific revelation—God’s witness through His Word—we see that God is righteous and holy. We, on the other hand, are sinners who fall desperately short of all that God is and all that He commands. We are separated from Him, slaves to sin, and hopelessly doomed to face His judgment.
But we also see in Scripture that God loves us, loves us so much that He gave His own Son, Jesus Christ, as the payment for our sin. We learn that we can be reconciled to God through faith in His Son.
So, 3 results
Who can understand his errors?
Cleanse thou me from secret faults.
Cry out for Forgiveness
Cry out for Forgiveness
General Revelation is sufficient to show us that we are condemned before God and must answer to Him.
It opens our conscience to where none are without excuse.
Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins;
Let them not have dominion over me:
Then shall I be upright,
And I shall be innocent from the great transgression.
Cry out for God’s Protection
Cry out for God’s Protection
Through the Scripture David also understood that God could change him, that he could be upright and innocent or blameless in God’s sight. Sin did not have dominion—reign, control, power, authority—over him. He asked God to protect him from presumptuous (zed) sins: sins of pride; sins committed rebelliously, willfully, and intentionally; sins committed while thinking that God would never condemn him. David never wanted to commit presumptuous sins.
What a wonderful, powerful truth! We do not have to be slaves to sin. It is possible for us, through the power of God’s indwelling Spirit, to be set free from sin’s dominion in our lives.
Let the words of my mouth,
And the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight,
O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.
Cry out to Please God
Cry out to Please God
David longed to please the Lord, and He asked God to make everything in his life acceptable to Him. David not only prayed for outward holiness, but also for purity within: he wanted his thoughts as well as his words to be acceptable to the Lord. He understood that true righteousness is more than outward actions. It penetrates all the way to the heart and changes us from within (Mt. 5:20–28; 23:25–28; Ps. 51:6, 10; 139:23–24).
Through the witnesses of God’s works and His Word, David understood that the Lord was His strength (rock) and his redeemer.
When he observed the beauty of nature and looked up into the sky at night, he knew that the mighty God of creation, the One who made the skies, was the strength of his life. He rested in the power that created the universe. The Holy Word of God taught him how to establish a relationship with Jehovah, the God who keeps covenant with those whose faith is in Him
Tomorrow, when you look up to the skies to view the great eclipse
Remember that there is a God and we clearly need Him.
The awesome message of the Scripture is that this God loves us and has come to us through His Son, Jesus Christ. If we will believe in Him and cry out to Him, He will forgive and cleanse us and make us acceptable to Him.