WEBVTT 1 00:00:00.660 --> 00:00:05.890 Have you ever looked up at the night sky and wondered what it tells us about God? 2 00:00:06.850 --> 00:00:11.740 The stars, they don't speak with human words. The heavens don't preach a sermon 3 00:00:11.740 --> 00:00:13.270 we can hear with our ears. 4 00:00:13.990 --> 00:00:19.820 And yet David says they are declaring something every day and every night. 5 00:00:20.700 --> 00:00:25.290 The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament sheweth his handiwork. 6 00:00:26.050 --> 00:00:30.690 But Psalm 19 doesn't stop with the heavens. David moves from the vastness of 7 00:00:30.690 --> 00:00:34.540 creation to something much more personal, the Word of God. 8 00:00:35.090 --> 00:00:39.100 Creation declares God's glory. Scripture reveals His truth. 9 00:00:39.700 --> 00:00:43.820 And together, they give us a clearer picture of the God who made us, 10 00:00:44.340 --> 00:00:46.979 speaks to us, and calls us to respond. 11 00:00:47.470 --> 00:00:49.710 But there's an important question for us today. 12 00:00:50.460 --> 00:00:54.850 If God has revealed Himself, are we actually listening? 13 00:00:55.540 --> 00:00:58.900 Today, we're going to look at how God makes himself known through his creation 14 00:00:58.900 --> 00:01:03.870 and through his word and what happens when we allow that revelation to change 15 00:01:03.870 --> 00:01:08.620 the way we see him, ourselves, and the way that we live. 16 00:01:09.120 --> 00:01:14.950 This is God Revealed Creation and Scripture, today on... 17 00:01:39.770 --> 00:01:43.850 To inspire faith one byte at a time. I'm your host, Randy Black. 18 00:01:43.850 --> 00:01:47.630 I'm an educator, technology specialist, and podcaster who's been a Christian 19 00:01:47.630 --> 00:01:51.860 for over three decades, and I'm glad you've joined me as we continue our journey 20 00:01:51.860 --> 00:01:55.450 through the Psalms together here on Bible Bytes. 21 00:01:56.540 --> 00:02:01.260 Last time on the podcast, we continued our journey through the most popular Psalms with Psalm 8. 22 00:02:01.840 --> 00:02:05.330 We looked upward at the heavens and considered the greatness of God. 23 00:02:05.770 --> 00:02:10.800 We discovered that the God who created the vastness of the heavens is mindful 24 00:02:10.800 --> 00:02:13.139 of humanity, has given us dignity 25 00:02:13.139 --> 00:02:17.860 and purpose, and has entrusted us with responsibility over his creation. 26 00:02:18.660 --> 00:02:25.340 Today, we're turning our attention to Psalm 19. Psalm 19 begins in a very similar, 27 00:02:25.910 --> 00:02:31.130 place to where we ended our last study, looking up at the heavens. 28 00:02:31.720 --> 00:02:37.580 But David takes us somewhere further. He shows us that God's creation declares 29 00:02:37.580 --> 00:02:43.660 His glory, and then He turns our attention to something even more personal, the Word of God. 30 00:02:44.410 --> 00:02:49.580 Creation reveals God's glory. Scripture reveals God's truth. 31 00:02:50.000 --> 00:02:54.480 And both of those point us toward a God who wants us to know Him. 32 00:02:55.330 --> 00:02:59.389 Today, we'll explore how God has revealed Himself through the world He created 33 00:02:59.590 --> 00:03:01.710 and through the Word that He has given us. 34 00:03:02.100 --> 00:03:06.540 We'll consider what creation tells us about our Creator, what Scripture reveals 35 00:03:06.540 --> 00:03:11.010 about His character and His will, and how God's revelation should change the 36 00:03:11.010 --> 00:03:14.300 way we see ourselves and live our lives. 37 00:03:14.750 --> 00:03:18.530 Our key passage today comes from Psalm 19. 38 00:03:19.670 --> 00:03:23.360 Before we open up God's Word together, let's begin with a word of prayer. 39 00:03:24.880 --> 00:03:28.200 Heavenly Father, we come before you with grateful hearts, thankful that you 40 00:03:28.200 --> 00:03:30.630 have made yourself known to us. 41 00:03:31.310 --> 00:03:36.960 As we look at Psalm 19 today, help us to see your glory in the creation that you've made. 42 00:03:37.830 --> 00:03:43.770 Give us eyes to recognize your handiwork and hearts that respond to what we 43 00:03:43.770 --> 00:03:46.540 see with genuine awe and with worship. 44 00:03:47.390 --> 00:03:51.600 Father, we also thank you for your word. Give us wisdom and understanding as 45 00:03:51.600 --> 00:03:53.000 we study it together today. 46 00:03:53.600 --> 00:03:58.470 Help us not simply to hear your truth, but to allow it to examine our hearts, 47 00:03:58.750 --> 00:04:01.610 correct our lives, and draw us closer to you. 48 00:04:02.350 --> 00:04:07.700 Show us the things in our lives that need change. Reveal those areas where we 49 00:04:07.700 --> 00:04:15.470 have become blind, distracted, or disobedient, and give us the humility to respond faithfully. 50 00:04:16.310 --> 00:04:22.510 May the words of our mouths and the meditation of our hearts be acceptable in your sight. 51 00:04:23.290 --> 00:04:27.570 We ask these things in the precious name of your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen. 52 00:04:29.070 --> 00:04:34.700 Our study today comes from Psalm 19, a psalm of David that gives us a remarkable 53 00:04:34.700 --> 00:04:37.399 picture of how God has revealed himself. 54 00:04:38.279 --> 00:04:42.230 David begins by looking at the heavens and seeing the glory of God displayed 55 00:04:42.230 --> 00:04:45.080 in creation. But then the psalm takes a turn. 56 00:04:46.020 --> 00:04:51.110 David moves from what creation declares to what God's Word reveals, 57 00:04:51.360 --> 00:04:56.360 and finally, to the way God's revelation should affect our hearts and our lives. 58 00:04:57.190 --> 00:05:01.730 As we read Psalm 19, listen for those three movements. 59 00:05:02.330 --> 00:05:07.029 God's glory declared in creation, God's truth revealed through His Word, 60 00:05:07.540 --> 00:05:11.860 and David's personal response to what God has made known. 61 00:05:13.490 --> 00:05:17.300 With that said, let's read Psalm 19, beginning in verse 1. 62 00:05:18.410 --> 00:05:22.820 The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament sheweth his handiwork. 63 00:05:23.490 --> 00:05:28.180 Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge. 64 00:05:29.020 --> 00:05:32.570 There is no speech nor language where their voice is not heard. 65 00:05:33.450 --> 00:05:38.990 Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words at the end of the world. 66 00:05:39.510 --> 00:05:42.510 In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun. 67 00:05:43.230 --> 00:05:49.899 Which is a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race. 68 00:05:50.720 --> 00:05:55.800 His going forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends 69 00:05:55.800 --> 00:05:59.339 of it, and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof. 70 00:06:00.140 --> 00:06:03.940 The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul. 71 00:06:04.360 --> 00:06:08.440 The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. 72 00:06:09.149 --> 00:06:13.490 The statues of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart. The commandment of the 73 00:06:13.490 --> 00:06:15.830 Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes. 74 00:06:16.410 --> 00:06:20.980 The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever. The judgments of the Lord are 75 00:06:20.980 --> 00:06:22.770 true and righteous altogether. 76 00:06:23.870 --> 00:06:27.930 More to be desired are they than gold, ye, than much fine gold, 77 00:06:28.510 --> 00:06:31.450 sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. 78 00:06:32.350 --> 00:06:37.740 Moreover by them is thy servant warned, and in keeping of them there is a great reward. 79 00:06:38.190 --> 00:06:42.810 Who can understand his errors? Cleanse thou me from secret faults. 80 00:06:43.640 --> 00:06:49.930 Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins. Let them not have dominion over me. 81 00:06:50.380 --> 00:06:55.410 Then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression. 82 00:06:56.030 --> 00:07:01.120 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in thy 83 00:07:01.120 --> 00:07:04.790 sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer. 84 00:07:05.800 --> 00:07:12.430 Wow, what a remarkable progression. David begins by looking outward at the heavens 85 00:07:12.430 --> 00:07:14.170 and declaring the glory of God. 86 00:07:14.940 --> 00:07:18.950 He then turns to the Word of God and describes it as perfect, 87 00:07:19.360 --> 00:07:24.420 sure, right, pure, clean, and true. 88 00:07:25.100 --> 00:07:26.970 He then turns inward. 89 00:07:28.010 --> 00:07:32.680 The God who reveals His glory through creation and His truth through Scripture, 90 00:07:33.360 --> 00:07:35.900 also reveals what is happening within our own hearts. 91 00:07:36.510 --> 00:07:43.630 Psalm 19, therefore, takes us on a journey, a journey from revelation to response. 92 00:07:44.450 --> 00:07:52.190 God has made himself known. The question is whether we are willing to see, listen, and respond. 93 00:07:53.540 --> 00:07:57.740 Before we examine these truths more closely, let's take a moment to consider 94 00:07:57.740 --> 00:08:00.690 the biblical setting of this remarkable psalm. 95 00:08:01.230 --> 00:08:06.980 Psalm 19 is identified in its opening inscription as a psalm of David. 96 00:08:07.770 --> 00:08:10.680 Like many of the psalms, it was written as a song of worship, 97 00:08:11.300 --> 00:08:16.110 but David uses that worship to lead us through a very remarkable progression 98 00:08:16.380 --> 00:08:18.570 in how God makes himself known. 99 00:08:19.610 --> 00:08:24.250 The psalm begins with something every person can observe, creation. 100 00:08:24.930 --> 00:08:30.240 It says, The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament sheweth his handiwork. 101 00:08:31.130 --> 00:08:35.200 David looks up at the heavens, the changing days and nights, 102 00:08:35.380 --> 00:08:40.380 and the course of the sun, and he recognizes that creation itself is giving 103 00:08:40.380 --> 00:08:42.530 testimony about its creator. 104 00:08:43.510 --> 00:08:48.780 That idea appears throughout Scripture. Psalm 8, which we studied on the last 105 00:08:48.780 --> 00:08:54.230 episode, invites us to look at the heavens and consider the greatness of the God who made them. 106 00:08:54.880 --> 00:09:01.500 Psalm 19 begins in that same place, but David develops the thought even further. 107 00:09:02.200 --> 00:09:07.390 The heavens don't simply demonstrate God's creative power. They declare His glory. 108 00:09:08.309 --> 00:09:11.470 And notice that this testimony is universal. 109 00:09:12.410 --> 00:09:16.390 David says, there is no speech nor language where their voice is not heard. 110 00:09:17.240 --> 00:09:22.210 Creation doesn't require us to speak a particular language before we can observe its testimony. 111 00:09:22.590 --> 00:09:27.340 Its witness reaches across cultures, across nations, and across generations. 112 00:09:28.230 --> 00:09:34.730 But then beginning in verse 7, David changes his focus. He moves from the heavens to the Word of God. 113 00:09:35.380 --> 00:09:38.850 Suddenly, we encounter a series of descriptions, the law of the Lord, 114 00:09:38.850 --> 00:09:43.220 the testimony of the Lord, the statues of the Lord, the commandments of the 115 00:09:43.220 --> 00:09:47.960 Lord, the fear of the Lord, and the judgment of the Lord. 116 00:09:49.030 --> 00:09:54.000 This isn't an unrelated change of subject. The same God who reveals his glory 117 00:09:54.000 --> 00:09:57.160 through creation has also spoken through his word. 118 00:09:57.679 --> 00:10:03.500 Creation shows us something about the creator, while scripture gives us specific 119 00:10:03.500 --> 00:10:08.750 revelation concerning his character, his truth, his standards, and his will. 120 00:10:09.470 --> 00:10:13.570 That distinction is important. The heavens can declare the glory of God, 121 00:10:13.830 --> 00:10:16.780 but they cannot tell us everything God wants us to know. 122 00:10:17.450 --> 00:10:22.410 Creation could point us toward the Creator, but God's Word gives us His revealed 123 00:10:22.410 --> 00:10:26.960 truth in a form that we can read, study, understand, and obey. 124 00:10:27.910 --> 00:10:32.270 David's response to that revelation is also significant. The psalm doesn't end 125 00:10:32.270 --> 00:10:36.190 with an observation about nature or a description of Scripture. 126 00:10:36.559 --> 00:10:39.970 It ends with David examining himself before God. 127 00:10:40.730 --> 00:10:42.970 Who can understand his errors? 128 00:10:43.770 --> 00:10:49.470 He asks God to cleanse him from secret faults and keep him from presumptuous sins. 129 00:10:50.120 --> 00:10:54.610 Finally, he prays that the words of his mouth and the meditation of his heart 130 00:10:54.870 --> 00:10:56.910 would be acceptable before the Lord. 131 00:10:57.700 --> 00:11:02.730 So Psalm 19 gives us a complete movement. God's glory is declared around us. 132 00:11:03.210 --> 00:11:05.350 God's truth is revealed to us. 133 00:11:06.130 --> 00:11:11.770 And God's revelation calls us to examine what is happening within us. 134 00:11:12.460 --> 00:11:17.750 With that foundation now in place, let's begin by looking at the first way David 135 00:11:17.750 --> 00:11:22.370 says God has made himself known, through the creation all around us. 136 00:11:23.570 --> 00:11:27.420 Psalm 19 begins with a powerful statement. The heavens declare the glory of 137 00:11:27.420 --> 00:11:29.520 God and the firmament sheweth his handiwork. 138 00:11:30.360 --> 00:11:33.350 David doesn't begin by telling us what he thinks about God. 139 00:11:33.910 --> 00:11:38.580 He begins by pointing us toward what God has made. The heavens are declaring. 140 00:11:38.870 --> 00:11:40.140 The firmament is shewing. 141 00:11:40.890 --> 00:11:44.730 Creation itself is giving a testimony to its creator. 142 00:11:45.610 --> 00:11:47.980 Think about the picture that David is presenting. 143 00:11:48.860 --> 00:11:52.900 Every day, the heavens are declaring something. Every night, 144 00:11:52.900 --> 00:11:54.620 the stars are displaying something. 145 00:11:55.240 --> 00:11:59.040 The message doesn't depend upon a human preacher standing behind a pulpit. 146 00:11:59.510 --> 00:12:05.429 It doesn't require a book to be opened. It doesn't require a particular language to be spoken. 147 00:12:05.970 --> 00:12:10.670 David says that. There is no speech nor language where their voice is not heard. 148 00:12:11.460 --> 00:12:14.549 Creation has a universal witness. 149 00:12:15.400 --> 00:12:20.700 A person can stand beneath a brilliant night sky on one side of the world while 150 00:12:20.700 --> 00:12:23.870 someone else watches the sunrise on the other side. 151 00:12:24.480 --> 00:12:29.990 And both of them can see evidence of something greater than themselves. 152 00:12:30.799 --> 00:12:32.910 The heavens declare the glory of God. 153 00:12:33.720 --> 00:12:38.799 But what exactly does that mean? It means that creation points beyond itself. 154 00:12:39.660 --> 00:12:40.830 The stars aren't God. 155 00:12:41.760 --> 00:12:47.980 The sun isn't God. The mountains, oceans, forests, and seasons are not God, 156 00:12:48.660 --> 00:12:50.840 but they are the works of his hands. 157 00:12:51.700 --> 00:12:56.680 Creation is not the object of our worship. It is a testimony that directs our 158 00:12:56.680 --> 00:12:57.930 worship toward the creator. 159 00:12:58.930 --> 00:13:03.050 That's the same perspective that we saw last episode in Psalm 8. 160 00:13:03.750 --> 00:13:05.140 David looked at the heavens, the 161 00:13:05.140 --> 00:13:09.200 moon, and the stars and recognize the greatness of the one who made them. 162 00:13:09.960 --> 00:13:14.400 But Psalm 19 takes that thought and emphasizes something specific. 163 00:13:15.100 --> 00:13:17.710 The heavens are declaring God's glory. 164 00:13:18.750 --> 00:13:22.800 Psalm 33, it gives us another picture of this creative power. 165 00:13:23.250 --> 00:13:27.400 It says there, By the word of the Lord were the heavens made, 166 00:13:27.780 --> 00:13:31.040 and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth. 167 00:13:31.930 --> 00:13:36.830 Creation points us toward the power, wisdom, and majesty of God. 168 00:13:37.400 --> 00:13:43.430 And this isn't only a biblical observation. Romans 1 tells us that the things 169 00:13:43.430 --> 00:13:47.790 of God that are invisible, including his eternal power at the Godhead, 170 00:13:48.000 --> 00:13:51.290 are understood through things that he has made. 171 00:13:52.150 --> 00:13:55.500 The created world gives humanity a witness. 172 00:13:56.210 --> 00:14:00.440 Now, that doesn't mean creation tells us everything that we need to know about God. 173 00:14:01.080 --> 00:14:05.480 It doesn't tell us the story of redemption. It doesn't give us the gospel in 174 00:14:05.480 --> 00:14:06.940 the same way scripture does. 175 00:14:07.590 --> 00:14:12.450 But it does declare that there is a creator, and that creator possesses glory 176 00:14:12.450 --> 00:14:17.070 and power far beyond anything that we can create or we can comprehend. 177 00:14:17.600 --> 00:14:21.930 And David, he emphasizes that this testimony is continuous. 178 00:14:22.500 --> 00:14:26.820 Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night showeth knowledge. 179 00:14:27.590 --> 00:14:32.530 Every day, every night, the testimony continues. 180 00:14:33.300 --> 00:14:37.590 The sunrise declares. The changing seasons declare. The stars declare. 181 00:14:37.900 --> 00:14:41.210 The order and beauty of creation itself declare. 182 00:14:41.900 --> 00:14:45.370 And yet how often do we stop long enough to listen? 183 00:14:46.240 --> 00:14:50.770 We live surrounded by distractions. We can carry an entire library, 184 00:14:50.770 --> 00:14:54.640 a television, a camera, and thousands of voices in our pocket every day. 185 00:14:55.070 --> 00:14:59.270 We can spend hours looking at screens without ever looking up. 186 00:14:59.970 --> 00:15:07.100 Psalm 19 invites us to recover the discipline of paying attention. Look up. 187 00:15:08.060 --> 00:15:15.480 Look around notice what god has made and then allow what you see to direct your attention toward him. 188 00:15:16.690 --> 00:15:21.470 David gives us another powerful picture in verses 4 through 6 as he describes the sun. 189 00:15:22.280 --> 00:15:28.670 He compares it to a bridegroom coming out of his chamber and to a strong man running his race. 190 00:15:29.230 --> 00:15:34.140 The picture is one of joy, strength, purpose, and movement. 191 00:15:34.850 --> 00:15:37.880 The sun follows the course God has established for it. 192 00:15:38.580 --> 00:15:42.950 Creation operates according to the order established by its creator, 193 00:15:43.760 --> 00:15:46.520 and that should produce more than admiration. 194 00:15:47.270 --> 00:15:48.620 It should produce worship. 195 00:15:49.530 --> 00:15:53.980 When we recognize the greatness of what God has made, we should become more 196 00:15:53.980 --> 00:15:56.230 aware of the greatness of God himself. 197 00:15:57.060 --> 00:16:01.880 The heavens are not trying to draw attention to themselves. They are pointing beyond themselves. 198 00:16:02.450 --> 00:16:05.880 They are saying, in effect, look at what he has made. 199 00:16:06.510 --> 00:16:10.110 And when we look, we should respond like David. 200 00:16:10.770 --> 00:16:13.340 The heavens declare the glory of God. 201 00:16:14.310 --> 00:16:18.700 But Psalm 19 doesn't stop with what creation reveals. 202 00:16:19.810 --> 00:16:26.290 The heavens, they can point us toward God. But David is about to introduce something even more direct. 203 00:16:27.020 --> 00:16:32.280 Creation declares his glory. Now God's word will reveal his truth. 204 00:16:32.880 --> 00:16:34.500 And that's where we need to look next. 205 00:16:36.250 --> 00:16:40.430 After showing us the testimony of creation, David turns his attention to something 206 00:16:40.430 --> 00:16:42.870 even more direct, the Word of God. 207 00:16:43.620 --> 00:16:47.230 Beginning in verse 7, the language of the psalm changes. 208 00:16:48.060 --> 00:16:53.390 The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul, the testimony of the Lord 209 00:16:53.390 --> 00:16:55.750 is sure, making wise the simple. 210 00:16:56.840 --> 00:17:01.520 David has moved from the heavens above to the Word that God has given us. 211 00:17:02.550 --> 00:17:08.070 Creation declares God's glory. Scripture reveals God's truth. 212 00:17:08.859 --> 00:17:13.109 And David doesn't describe God's Word with just one term. He gives us a series 213 00:17:13.109 --> 00:17:18.369 of descriptions, each showing us something about what God's Word is and what 214 00:17:18.369 --> 00:17:20.340 it does in the life of the believer. 215 00:17:21.160 --> 00:17:25.390 First, he says the law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul. 216 00:17:26.330 --> 00:17:29.890 The word perfect points to a completeness, a wholeness. 217 00:17:30.820 --> 00:17:35.300 God's Word isn't deficient. It doesn't need to be improved by human wisdom. 218 00:17:36.160 --> 00:17:39.800 And notice what it does. It converts the soul. 219 00:17:40.890 --> 00:17:46.230 God's Word doesn't simply provide information for the mind. It reaches into 220 00:17:46.230 --> 00:17:48.099 the life of the person who receives it. 221 00:17:49.260 --> 00:17:55.460 Then David says, The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. 222 00:17:56.770 --> 00:18:04.010 God's testimony is sure, it's trustworthy, it's dependable, and it makes wise the simple. 223 00:18:04.770 --> 00:18:09.650 We don't have to begin with a perfect understanding before we can benefit from God's Word. 224 00:18:10.320 --> 00:18:13.790 Scripture gives wisdom to those who recognize their need for it. 225 00:18:14.520 --> 00:18:19.210 That is important because we live in a world filled with competing claims about truth. 226 00:18:20.050 --> 00:18:25.280 Every day we're told what to believe, how to think, what matters, 227 00:18:25.590 --> 00:18:29.530 what success looks like, and where we should be finding meaning. 228 00:18:30.380 --> 00:18:35.550 Psalm 19 reminds us that there is a source of truth that does not shift with 229 00:18:35.550 --> 00:18:37.440 culture or with circumstance. 230 00:18:38.240 --> 00:18:40.820 God's testimony is sure. 231 00:18:41.869 --> 00:18:46.330 David then continues, The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart. 232 00:18:46.580 --> 00:18:49.880 The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes. 233 00:18:50.880 --> 00:18:54.780 Notice the progression here. God's Word is right. 234 00:18:55.690 --> 00:19:02.560 It is pure. And it produces something within us. It rejoices the heart. It enlightens the eyes. 235 00:19:03.490 --> 00:19:08.619 Scripture doesn't simply tell us what God expects. It helps us see reality more clearly. 236 00:19:09.240 --> 00:19:13.820 And that's particularly important when our own perspective becomes distorted. 237 00:19:14.609 --> 00:19:19.060 We can misunderstand our circumstances. We can misjudge other people. 238 00:19:19.410 --> 00:19:23.980 We can justify our own actions. We can convince ourselves that something is 239 00:19:23.980 --> 00:19:27.280 acceptable simply because we want it to be. 240 00:19:28.270 --> 00:19:33.500 But God's Word brings us back to what is true. It enlightens our eyes. 241 00:19:34.400 --> 00:19:38.820 David then says, The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever. 242 00:19:39.210 --> 00:19:42.250 The judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. 243 00:19:43.510 --> 00:19:49.730 God's word produces a proper reverence for God, and his judgments are true. 244 00:19:50.270 --> 00:19:54.540 Not sometimes true, not true only when they agree with our preferences. 245 00:19:55.180 --> 00:19:57.770 They are true and righteous altogether. 246 00:19:58.680 --> 00:20:01.770 Then David tells us how he values these words. 247 00:20:02.750 --> 00:20:07.250 More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold, 248 00:20:07.690 --> 00:20:10.849 sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. 249 00:20:11.890 --> 00:20:16.460 Think about that comparison. Gold represents health. 250 00:20:17.390 --> 00:20:23.640 Honey represents sweetness and pleasure. David says God's word is more desirable 251 00:20:23.640 --> 00:20:25.520 than great wealth and sweeter than honey. 252 00:20:26.270 --> 00:20:29.410 That tells us something about how we should approach scripture. 253 00:20:30.099 --> 00:20:35.760 If we only view the Bible as an obligation, we're missing what David understood. 254 00:20:36.440 --> 00:20:38.970 God's word is a gift. 255 00:20:40.040 --> 00:20:43.060 It gives wisdom. It brings joy. 256 00:20:43.980 --> 00:20:49.910 It provides correction. It gives warning. It enlightens. It transforms. 257 00:20:50.480 --> 00:20:52.750 And David says, Moreover by 258 00:20:52.750 --> 00:20:57.650 them is thy servant warned, and in keeping of them there is great reward. 259 00:20:58.920 --> 00:21:04.820 There is both a warning and a reward in God's Word. Scripture warns us about 260 00:21:04.820 --> 00:21:06.840 paths that lead us away from God. 261 00:21:07.580 --> 00:21:13.730 It exposes sin. It corrects our thinking. It calls us back when we've wandered. 262 00:21:14.550 --> 00:21:18.770 And obedience brings the blessing of walking according to God's truth. 263 00:21:19.500 --> 00:21:23.210 This is why we need to recognize the difference between creation's revelation 264 00:21:23.599 --> 00:21:25.240 and Scripture's revelation. 265 00:21:26.099 --> 00:21:33.099 The heavens declare God's glory. but they don't tell us how to live a life of obedience to him. 266 00:21:33.950 --> 00:21:38.369 Creation can cause us to marvel at God's power, but it doesn't give us the specific 267 00:21:38.369 --> 00:21:42.690 commandments, promises, warnings, and wisdom that are found in Scripture. 268 00:21:43.590 --> 00:21:48.040 Creation points us toward the Creator. Scripture tells us what the Creator has 269 00:21:48.040 --> 00:21:53.349 said, and that's why God's Word must have a central place in the life of a Christian. 270 00:21:54.119 --> 00:22:01.400 Psalm 119 verse 105 says, thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path. 271 00:22:02.119 --> 00:22:04.930 God's word gives light for the path ahead. 272 00:22:05.700 --> 00:22:09.720 It helps us know where to walk. It helps us recognize danger. 273 00:22:10.260 --> 00:22:12.470 It helps us understand God's character. 274 00:22:13.090 --> 00:22:14.770 And it helps us understand ourselves. 275 00:22:15.420 --> 00:22:19.349 Paul gives another important description in 2 Timothy 3. 276 00:22:19.750 --> 00:22:24.260 He tells us that Scripture is given by the inspiration of God and is profitable 277 00:22:24.260 --> 00:22:29.280 for doctrine, reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness. 278 00:22:29.990 --> 00:22:35.740 In other words, God's word teaches us what is right, shows us where we're wrong, 279 00:22:36.119 --> 00:22:38.650 and helps correct us and train us to live differently. 280 00:22:39.410 --> 00:22:43.680 That's exactly the kind of transformation David is describing in Psalm 19. 281 00:22:44.590 --> 00:22:49.450 So the question for us isn't simply whether we own a Bible. The question is 282 00:22:49.450 --> 00:22:51.840 whether God's word is actually shaping us. 283 00:22:52.810 --> 00:22:55.650 Are we reading it? Are we listening to it? 284 00:22:56.570 --> 00:23:00.810 Are we allowing it to correct us? Are we obeying what it teaches? 285 00:23:01.340 --> 00:23:06.750 And do we value it in the way that David did, as something that is more precious 286 00:23:06.750 --> 00:23:08.820 than gold and sweeter than honey? 287 00:23:09.790 --> 00:23:14.720 God has not merely revealed that he exists. He has spoken, and he has given 288 00:23:14.720 --> 00:23:17.830 us his word so that we can know his truth. 289 00:23:18.500 --> 00:23:23.130 But once God's word reveals his truth, something else happens. 290 00:23:23.780 --> 00:23:28.910 It begins to reveal us, and that's where David takes us next in Psalm 19. 291 00:23:30.220 --> 00:23:34.570 After spending the first part of the psalm looking outward at creation and the 292 00:23:34.570 --> 00:23:39.900 second part looking at God's Word, David now turns his attention inward, 293 00:23:40.570 --> 00:23:42.530 and the transition is striking. 294 00:23:43.480 --> 00:23:45.760 Who can understand his errors? 295 00:23:46.750 --> 00:23:51.660 David has just described God's Word as perfect, sure, right, pure, clean, and true. 296 00:23:52.520 --> 00:23:55.630 Now, that perfect word becomes a mirror. 297 00:23:56.560 --> 00:24:02.420 It doesn't merely tell us what God is like. It begins to show us what we are 298 00:24:02.420 --> 00:24:06.830 like, and that is an important part of seeing God clearly. 299 00:24:07.650 --> 00:24:13.650 The more clearly we see God's character and holiness, the more honestly we should see ourselves. 300 00:24:14.349 --> 00:24:18.010 David asks, who can understand his errors? 301 00:24:18.869 --> 00:24:24.869 There are things about ourselves that we don't see clearly. There are attitudes that we can justify. 302 00:24:25.440 --> 00:24:27.720 There are habits we can excuse. 303 00:24:28.320 --> 00:24:30.790 There are sins we can become comfortable with. 304 00:24:31.490 --> 00:24:35.570 There are blind spots we may not even recognize. 305 00:24:36.609 --> 00:24:39.950 David understands that he cannot examine his own heart perfectly, 306 00:24:40.470 --> 00:24:45.550 so he doesn't simply ask himself to try harder. He asks God for help. 307 00:24:46.160 --> 00:24:48.849 Cleanse thou me from secret faults. 308 00:24:49.520 --> 00:24:54.730 Secret faults are those things within us that may be hidden from other people 309 00:24:55.070 --> 00:24:58.180 and sometimes even hidden from ourselves. 310 00:24:59.160 --> 00:25:02.130 David isn't claiming that he has everything figured out. 311 00:25:02.790 --> 00:25:08.380 He's acknowledging his need for God to reveal what he cannot see on his own. 312 00:25:09.210 --> 00:25:13.270 That is one of the reasons God's Word is so important. Hebrews 313 00:25:13.570 --> 00:25:19.530 4, verse 12 reminds us that the Word of God is quick and powerful and sharper 314 00:25:19.530 --> 00:25:25.120 than any two-edged sword, and that is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. 315 00:25:26.100 --> 00:25:29.880 Scripture doesn't merely give us information. It exposes us. 316 00:25:30.320 --> 00:25:33.280 It shows us where our thinking has become distorted. 317 00:25:33.810 --> 00:25:36.830 It reveals motives that we might prefer to keep hidden. 318 00:25:37.530 --> 00:25:41.740 It confronts attitudes that we might have learned to excuse. 319 00:25:42.140 --> 00:25:44.640 And when God's word exposes something 320 00:25:44.640 --> 00:25:49.450 in us, the proper response isn't to close the Bible and walk away. 321 00:25:50.160 --> 00:25:55.100 It's to bring the thing before God. And that's what David does next. 322 00:25:55.540 --> 00:26:01.210 Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins. let them not have dominion over me. 323 00:26:02.360 --> 00:26:09.580 David moves from sins he may not recognize to sins he could deliberately choose. 324 00:26:10.290 --> 00:26:14.550 Presumptuous sin is not simply stumbling into something unknowingly. 325 00:26:15.250 --> 00:26:19.440 It carries the idea of acting defiantly or deliberately. 326 00:26:20.540 --> 00:26:25.200 David understands that sin can become a master. That's why he prays, 327 00:26:25.200 --> 00:26:27.240 let them not have dominion over me. 328 00:26:28.300 --> 00:26:35.320 This is a powerful reminder that God's revelation is meant to lead us toward freedom and obedience. 329 00:26:36.240 --> 00:26:39.740 God doesn't reveal our sin so that we can live under condemnation. 330 00:26:40.380 --> 00:26:46.940 He reveals it so that we can bring it to him. His word warns us because he wants 331 00:26:46.940 --> 00:26:48.650 to keep us from destruction. 332 00:26:49.150 --> 00:26:51.860 His correction is an expression of his care. 333 00:26:52.670 --> 00:26:55.290 And this brings us to David's final prayer. 334 00:26:56.240 --> 00:27:01.130 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in thy 335 00:27:01.130 --> 00:27:04.310 sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer. 336 00:27:05.400 --> 00:27:08.380 Notice that David connects his words with his heart. 337 00:27:09.460 --> 00:27:14.670 What comes out of our mouths is connected to what is happening within us. 338 00:27:15.490 --> 00:27:20.260 Our words reveal something about our hearts. That's why David doesn't merely 339 00:27:20.260 --> 00:27:22.140 ask God to help him speak better. 340 00:27:22.720 --> 00:27:27.320 He asks God to make the meditation of his heart acceptable as well. 341 00:27:28.130 --> 00:27:31.670 The private thoughts and the public words both matter. 342 00:27:32.380 --> 00:27:36.840 What we say matters. What we think about matters. 343 00:27:37.390 --> 00:27:44.990 What we allow to occupy our minds matters. And David wants both brought under the authority of God. 344 00:27:45.650 --> 00:27:48.210 This gives us a beautiful progression through the entire psalm. 345 00:27:48.910 --> 00:27:52.650 The heaven reveals God's glory. The word reveals God's truth. 346 00:27:52.940 --> 00:27:57.050 And God's truth reveals our need for transformation. 347 00:27:57.800 --> 00:28:01.880 That's why seeing God clearly should never leave us unchanged. 348 00:28:02.420 --> 00:28:07.070 If we see His glory but remain proud, we've missed the point. 349 00:28:07.910 --> 00:28:13.330 If we read His Word but refuse to obey it, we've missed the point. 350 00:28:14.040 --> 00:28:18.700 If Scripture exposes something in our lives but we refuse to bring it before 351 00:28:18.700 --> 00:28:22.820 God, again, we've missed the point. 352 00:28:23.760 --> 00:28:29.590 God's revelation calls for a response. James chapter 1 warns us about being 353 00:28:29.590 --> 00:28:32.000 hearers of the word without being doers. 354 00:28:32.610 --> 00:28:38.890 Hearing God's truth is important, but God's word is meant to move from our ears into our lives. 355 00:28:39.430 --> 00:28:42.830 Psalm 19 gives us a model for that response. 356 00:28:44.000 --> 00:28:48.000 David doesn't respond with self-confidence. He responds with prayer. 357 00:28:48.890 --> 00:28:55.090 He recognizes his limitations. He asks God to cleanse him. He asks God to restrain him. 358 00:28:55.780 --> 00:28:59.800 And he asks God to make his life acceptable before him. 359 00:29:00.740 --> 00:29:07.190 Then he calls God my strength and my redeemer. That final phrase is so important. 360 00:29:07.930 --> 00:29:13.290 David knows that he cannot transform himself through his own strength. He needs God. 361 00:29:13.990 --> 00:29:20.580 And that's where Psalm 19 ultimately leads us. Seeing God clearly should lead us to humility. 362 00:29:21.210 --> 00:29:25.280 Hearing God's word should lead us to obedience. 363 00:29:25.880 --> 00:29:30.200 And recognizing our sin should lead us to our Redeemer. 364 00:29:31.010 --> 00:29:35.990 So, as we move from this study into the practical application of Psalm 19, 365 00:29:36.330 --> 00:29:39.840 don't simply ask yourself, what did I learn about this psalm? 366 00:29:40.430 --> 00:29:45.200 Ask a deeper question. What has God revealed to me that needs to change? 367 00:29:45.710 --> 00:29:48.800 Because God's revelation is not merely about seeing him more clearly. 368 00:29:49.370 --> 00:29:53.710 It's about allowing what we see to transform the way we live. 369 00:29:54.460 --> 00:30:00.400 Psalm 19 gives us a simple pattern for how we can respond to God's revelation in our everyday lives. 370 00:30:01.160 --> 00:30:06.640 First, look up. Take time to notice God's creation. Look at the sky. 371 00:30:07.460 --> 00:30:12.070 Watch a sunrise or a sunset. Notice the changing seasons, the stars at night, 372 00:30:12.280 --> 00:30:15.240 or the complexity and the beauty of the world around you. 373 00:30:16.350 --> 00:30:21.720 But don't stop at what you see. Let creation direct your attention toward the Creator. 374 00:30:22.470 --> 00:30:25.750 When the heavens declare His glory, respond with worship. 375 00:30:26.240 --> 00:30:31.710 Let those moments remind you how great God is and how dependent we are upon Him. 376 00:30:32.610 --> 00:30:38.670 Second, open the Word. Psalm 19 reminds us that God's Word is perfect, 377 00:30:38.670 --> 00:30:40.610 sure, right, pure, and true. 378 00:30:41.300 --> 00:30:45.200 Don't approach Scripture simply as something to check off a reading list. 379 00:30:46.020 --> 00:30:51.430 Read it expecting God to teach you. Ask what the passage reveals about God. 380 00:30:51.720 --> 00:30:53.700 Ask what it teaches you about his character. 381 00:30:54.000 --> 00:30:59.280 Ask what it tells you about how you should live, and then be willing to obey 382 00:30:59.660 --> 00:31:01.250 whatever it is that you discover. 383 00:31:02.360 --> 00:31:07.130 Third, look within. David's response to God's revelation was personal. 384 00:31:07.450 --> 00:31:13.560 He asked God to cleanse him from secret faults and to keep him from presumptuous sin. 385 00:31:14.590 --> 00:31:18.270 When scripture reveals something in your life that needs to change, 386 00:31:18.810 --> 00:31:21.330 don't ignore it. Bring it before God. 387 00:31:21.950 --> 00:31:30.180 Ask him to search your heart. Reveal what you cannot see and give you the strength to change. 388 00:31:31.280 --> 00:31:35.950 So here's the challenge for this week. Read Psalm 19 each day. 389 00:31:36.640 --> 00:31:42.460 Spend a few moments observing something in God's creation and allow it to remind you of his glory. 390 00:31:43.190 --> 00:31:48.120 Then spend time in his word and write down one thing it reveals about God and 391 00:31:48.120 --> 00:31:50.280 one thing it reveals about you. 392 00:31:51.300 --> 00:31:58.390 Finally, pray verse 14. Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart 393 00:31:58.700 --> 00:32:02.640 be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer. 394 00:32:03.430 --> 00:32:07.640 Look up, open the Word, look within, 395 00:32:08.380 --> 00:32:13.450 and allow what God has revealed to transform the way that you live. 396 00:32:15.370 --> 00:32:21.200 Psalm 19 has taken us from the heavens above us to the word of God before us, 397 00:32:21.630 --> 00:32:24.730 and finally, to the condition of our own hearts. 398 00:32:25.410 --> 00:32:30.200 So let's take some time and gather together six very important truths that we've 399 00:32:30.200 --> 00:32:31.910 gained from today's study. 400 00:32:32.950 --> 00:32:36.370 The first is that creation declares the glory of its creator. 401 00:32:36.980 --> 00:32:40.380 The heavens are constantly giving testimony to the greatness, 402 00:32:40.630 --> 00:32:42.770 the power, and the majesty of God. 403 00:32:43.470 --> 00:32:47.960 When we look at what He has made, we should look beyond creation itself and 404 00:32:47.960 --> 00:32:50.180 recognize the One who made it. 405 00:32:51.480 --> 00:32:56.310 Second, God has revealed Himself not only through creation, but through His Word. 406 00:32:57.120 --> 00:33:02.220 The heavens declare His glory, but Scripture gives us specific revelation about 407 00:33:02.220 --> 00:33:06.880 who God is, what He values, and how He desires us to live. 408 00:33:07.510 --> 00:33:11.420 God has not left humanity without a witness or without His Word. 409 00:33:12.810 --> 00:33:17.240 Third, Scripture Reveals God's Character, Truth, Wisdom, and Will. 410 00:33:18.320 --> 00:33:24.610 David describes God's Word as perfect, sure, right, pure, clean, and true. 411 00:33:25.330 --> 00:33:28.460 It gives wisdom to the simple. It rejoices the heart. 412 00:33:28.660 --> 00:33:35.550 It enlightens the eyes, warns us about danger, and teaches us how to walk according to God's truth. 413 00:33:36.950 --> 00:33:41.550 Fourth, God's Word is meant to transform us, not merely inform us. 414 00:33:42.360 --> 00:33:45.550 We aren't called simply to accumulate biblical knowledge. 415 00:33:46.010 --> 00:33:50.340 Scripture should change the way that we think, the way that we make decisions, 416 00:33:50.690 --> 00:33:56.380 and the way we respond to temptation, and ultimately the way we live each and every day. 417 00:33:57.690 --> 00:34:02.630 Fifth, seeing God clearly should lead us to examine ourselves honestly. 418 00:34:03.540 --> 00:34:09.090 When David encounters the truth of God, he doesn't simply admire it from a distance. 419 00:34:09.600 --> 00:34:15.160 He asks God to reveal his errors, to cleanse him from secret faults, 420 00:34:15.710 --> 00:34:18.260 and to keep him from presumptuous sins. 421 00:34:19.090 --> 00:34:25.400 God's Word should cause us to look honestly inward at our own hearts. 422 00:34:26.770 --> 00:34:30.820 Finally, the proper response to God's revelation is worship, 423 00:34:30.820 --> 00:34:33.660 obedience, repentance, and faithful living. 424 00:34:34.489 --> 00:34:37.100 We look up and we see God's glory. 425 00:34:38.000 --> 00:34:44.140 We open his word and receive his truth. We look within and allow that truth 426 00:34:44.430 --> 00:34:46.520 to expose what needs to change. 427 00:34:47.420 --> 00:34:51.110 And then we respond by living in a way that honors him. 428 00:34:52.340 --> 00:34:56.949 If there's one truth I hope you'll carry with you from today's study, it's this. 429 00:34:57.650 --> 00:35:01.610 God has made himself known. His creation declares his glory. 430 00:35:01.969 --> 00:35:05.980 His word reveals his truth. And his revelation calls us to respond. 431 00:35:06.489 --> 00:35:10.560 So don't simply look at what God has made. Look beyond creation to the creator. 432 00:35:10.940 --> 00:35:14.790 Don't simply read what God has said. Let his word change you. 433 00:35:15.219 --> 00:35:20.530 And don't simply recognize what needs to change. Bring it before God and allow 434 00:35:20.530 --> 00:35:22.600 Him to transform your life. 435 00:35:24.050 --> 00:35:31.239 Psalm 19 invites us to do more than admire God's creation or learn about his word. 436 00:35:32.150 --> 00:35:37.550 It asks us to consider what happens when God's revelation reaches our own hearts. 437 00:35:38.550 --> 00:35:43.350 As we reflect on today's study, take the time to consider these questions. 438 00:35:44.420 --> 00:35:48.980 First, when you look at God's creation, do you allow what you see to direct 439 00:35:48.980 --> 00:35:50.320 your attention toward the creator? 440 00:35:51.170 --> 00:35:55.080 When was the last time you deliberately stopped to consider the glory of God 441 00:35:55.380 --> 00:35:58.300 revealed through the world that he has made? 442 00:35:59.500 --> 00:36:04.440 Second, how do you value God's word? Do you desire it as David did, 443 00:36:04.440 --> 00:36:06.330 more than gold and sweeter than honey? 444 00:36:06.770 --> 00:36:12.390 Or has scripture become something you approach mainly out of a habit or an obligation? 445 00:36:13.469 --> 00:36:19.900 Third, when God's word reveals something about your life that needs change, how do you respond? 446 00:36:20.800 --> 00:36:27.050 Do you allow Scripture to correct you, or are there areas that you resist what God is showing you? 447 00:36:28.300 --> 00:36:33.690 Fourth, are there secret faults in your life that you've not recognized or have 448 00:36:33.690 --> 00:36:36.040 been unwilling to bring before God? 449 00:36:36.900 --> 00:36:43.190 Ask Him to search your heart and reveal to you what you cannot see clearly on your own. 450 00:36:44.520 --> 00:36:49.850 Fifth, are there presumptuous sins that you have allowed to gain influence in your life? 451 00:36:50.390 --> 00:36:56.790 Is there an area where you know what is right, but continue choosing something else? 452 00:36:57.940 --> 00:37:02.719 Finally, can you sincerely make David's prayer your own? 453 00:37:03.410 --> 00:37:08.930 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in thy 454 00:37:08.930 --> 00:37:12.540 sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer. 455 00:37:13.550 --> 00:37:18.630 Take some time this week to sit quietly before the Lord and consider those questions. 456 00:37:19.360 --> 00:37:24.270 God has revealed His glory through creation and His truth through His Word. 457 00:37:24.940 --> 00:37:32.100 Now ask yourself, what is His revelation showing me about my life, and how will I respond? 458 00:37:34.110 --> 00:37:35.969 As we come to the end of our study 459 00:37:35.969 --> 00:37:41.050 today, I want to leave you with one encouraging truth about Psalm 19. 460 00:37:42.250 --> 00:37:46.030 God has not hidden himself from you. He has made himself known. 461 00:37:46.949 --> 00:37:51.330 Look at the heavens. You can see the glory of the creator. Open his word and 462 00:37:51.330 --> 00:37:54.739 you can hear the truth of the God who speaks. 463 00:37:55.949 --> 00:37:58.989 And when his word reveals something in your life that needs to change, 464 00:37:59.340 --> 00:38:02.510 you don't have to run from him. You can run to him. 465 00:38:03.250 --> 00:38:08.570 Again, David's final words give us a beautiful picture of that relationship. 466 00:38:09.330 --> 00:38:14.969 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in thy 467 00:38:14.969 --> 00:38:18.270 sight, O Lord, my strength and my redeemer. 468 00:38:19.219 --> 00:38:22.760 Notice how David describes God there, my strength. 469 00:38:23.690 --> 00:38:27.719 When we recognize our own weaknesses, God is our strength. 470 00:38:28.830 --> 00:38:34.290 My Redeemer. When God's Word reveals our sin and our need, God is not merely 471 00:38:34.290 --> 00:38:36.110 the one who exposes our failure. 472 00:38:36.550 --> 00:38:38.590 He is the one who redeems it. 473 00:38:39.410 --> 00:38:43.120 That means we don't have to be afraid of what God's Word reveals about us. 474 00:38:43.840 --> 00:38:47.860 We can be honest before Him. We can confess our failures. 475 00:38:48.440 --> 00:38:53.930 We can ask him to cleanse us from secret faults and to keep us from sins that 476 00:38:53.930 --> 00:38:55.430 would gain dominion over us. 477 00:38:56.100 --> 00:39:00.500 The God who created the heavens is the same God who has spoken through his word. 478 00:39:01.110 --> 00:39:06.350 He is powerful enough to create the universe, wise enough to give us his truth, 479 00:39:06.719 --> 00:39:10.270 and gracious enough to redeem us when we fall short. 480 00:39:11.330 --> 00:39:16.910 So this week, don't be discouraged when God's word shows you something that needs to change. 481 00:39:17.730 --> 00:39:21.230 Be grateful that God loves you enough to show you. 482 00:39:22.230 --> 00:39:26.880 Don't be overwhelmed by the greatness of the heavens. Let that greatness remind 483 00:39:26.880 --> 00:39:29.650 you of the greatness of the God who cares for you. 484 00:39:30.550 --> 00:39:34.060 And don't simply admire God's revelation from a distance. 485 00:39:35.010 --> 00:39:41.520 Let it draw you closer to Him. Look up and see His glory. 486 00:39:42.590 --> 00:39:46.100 Open His Word and receive His truth. 487 00:39:47.150 --> 00:39:53.670 Look within yourself with humility, and remember that the God who reveals Himself 488 00:39:54.090 --> 00:39:57.400 is also your strength and your Redeemer. 489 00:39:59.260 --> 00:40:03.940 Let's now close out our study with a word of prayer. Heavenly Father, 490 00:40:04.140 --> 00:40:07.540 we thank you for the privilege of studying your word together today. 491 00:40:08.510 --> 00:40:12.330 Thank you for the heavens that declare your glory and for the countless reminders 492 00:40:12.330 --> 00:40:14.170 of your handiwork throughout creation. 493 00:40:15.340 --> 00:40:19.870 Help us to look beyond what you've made and worship you as the creator. 494 00:40:21.080 --> 00:40:26.690 Thank you also for your word. Thank you that you have not left us without truth, 495 00:40:26.920 --> 00:40:29.090 wisdom, instruction, or guidance. 496 00:40:29.570 --> 00:40:34.719 Help us to value your word as David did, to desire it more than gold, 497 00:40:34.989 --> 00:40:36.980 and receive it as sweeter than honey. 498 00:40:38.030 --> 00:40:43.350 Father, when your word reveals our faults, give us humility to listen and courage to respond. 499 00:40:43.910 --> 00:40:48.930 Cleanse us from those secret faults. Keep us from presumptuous sins, 500 00:40:49.630 --> 00:40:52.580 and do not allow sin to have dominion over us. 501 00:40:53.390 --> 00:40:58.330 May the words of our mouths and the meditation of our hearts be acceptable in your sight. 502 00:40:59.260 --> 00:41:03.810 Thank you for being our strength and our Redeemer. Help us to take what we have 503 00:41:03.810 --> 00:41:06.150 learned today and live it faithfully. 504 00:41:06.920 --> 00:41:11.969 And we ask these things in the precious name of your Son, Jesus. Amen. 505 00:41:14.060 --> 00:41:17.900 As we close out today's episode, I want to thank you for being a part of the Bible Bytes community. 506 00:41:18.270 --> 00:41:22.500 I'm grateful that you're taking the time to study God's Word with me each and every week. 507 00:41:23.430 --> 00:41:27.390 Today's study has focused on the ways God has made Himself known. 508 00:41:27.890 --> 00:41:31.610 We've seen His glory declared through creation and His truth revealed through His Word. 509 00:41:32.449 --> 00:41:36.520 And I'd love to hear from you. Is there a particular part of God's creation 510 00:41:36.880 --> 00:41:40.040 that causes you to stop and to think about His greatness? 511 00:41:40.480 --> 00:41:44.390 Or is there a passage of scripture that has helped you understand God's character, 512 00:41:44.660 --> 00:41:47.170 his will, or his faithfulness more clearly? 513 00:41:48.150 --> 00:41:51.340 If you'd like to share your experience or if you have questions about scripture, 514 00:41:51.340 --> 00:41:55.000 a prayer request, or a suggestion for a future episode, or simply want to tell 515 00:41:55.000 --> 00:41:57.380 me how God is using Bible Bytes in your life, 516 00:41:57.880 --> 00:42:03.710 you can reach me through the contact page on our website at bible-bytes.com slash contact. 517 00:42:04.000 --> 00:42:10.780 That's bible-Bytes with a y, b-y-t-e-s.com slash contact. 518 00:42:12.040 --> 00:42:16.630 Now, we haven't had any new boostograms or boosts or financial support we received 519 00:42:16.630 --> 00:42:20.620 since our last episode, but I want you to know that your previous prayers, 520 00:42:20.870 --> 00:42:23.560 your encouragement, and your support are appreciated. 521 00:42:24.120 --> 00:42:28.400 Bible Bytes continues to be made possible through the value-for-value model. 522 00:42:29.210 --> 00:42:32.770 If these studies have encouraged your faith or they've helped you grow in your 523 00:42:32.770 --> 00:42:36.870 understanding of God's Word, I invite you to support the ministry in whatever 524 00:42:37.170 --> 00:42:38.730 way you believe it has blessed you. 525 00:42:39.160 --> 00:42:42.699 You can support Bible Bytes through a Boostagram using a Podcasting 2.0 app. 526 00:42:43.030 --> 00:42:46.300 You can include a message and sats or through other support options that are 527 00:42:46.300 --> 00:42:50.880 available on our website at bible-Bytes.com support. 528 00:42:51.270 --> 00:42:57.850 That's bible-Bytes with a Y, B-Y-T-E-S dot com slash support. 529 00:42:58.620 --> 00:43:02.190 And one of the simplest ways you can help Bible Bytes grow is by sharing an 530 00:43:02.190 --> 00:43:03.940 episode with someone else. 531 00:43:04.420 --> 00:43:09.219 Send this study to a family member, a friend, a co-worker, or someone from your 532 00:43:09.219 --> 00:43:12.880 church who might be encouraged by hearing God's Word today. 533 00:43:13.699 --> 00:43:17.160 Thank you for your prayers, your encouragement, your support, 534 00:43:17.600 --> 00:43:19.180 and for being a part of this community. 535 00:43:19.560 --> 00:43:24.620 I'm grateful that we can continue studying God's Word together one episode at a time. 536 00:43:26.430 --> 00:43:30.250 Thank you for joining me today, study of Psalm 19. 537 00:43:31.150 --> 00:43:35.060 We've seen how the heavens declare the glory of God and how His Word reveals 538 00:43:35.060 --> 00:43:39.850 its truth and how God's revelation calls us to examine our own hearts and allow 539 00:43:39.850 --> 00:43:42.620 His truth to transform the way we live. 540 00:43:43.670 --> 00:43:48.060 God has made Himself known. His creation points us toward His glory. 541 00:43:48.530 --> 00:43:52.930 His Word gives us His truth, and our response should be worship, 542 00:43:53.140 --> 00:43:56.110 obedience, repentance, and faithful living. 543 00:43:57.100 --> 00:44:01.330 My prayer is that you'll leave this study seeing God more clearly and approaching 544 00:44:01.330 --> 00:44:05.199 his word with a deeper appreciation for the gift of his revelation. 545 00:44:06.050 --> 00:44:10.840 And perhaps the next time you look at the stars or watch a sunrise or simply 546 00:44:10.840 --> 00:44:15.460 pause to notice the world God has made, you'll remember David's words. 547 00:44:15.860 --> 00:44:18.210 The heavens declare the glory of God. 548 00:44:19.300 --> 00:44:25.100 But don't stop there. Open his word. Listen to what God has said and allow His 549 00:44:25.100 --> 00:44:28.160 truth to speak into your heart and shape your life. 550 00:44:29.900 --> 00:44:33.239 Next time, we'll continue our journey through the most popular psalms with Psalm 551 00:44:33.239 --> 00:44:37.320 22 in an episode that we're calling The Suffering Savior. 552 00:44:37.980 --> 00:44:42.840 Psalm 19 has shown us how God revealed Himself through creation and Scripture, 553 00:44:43.280 --> 00:44:47.870 and Psalm 22 takes us into one of the most remarkable prophetic messages in 554 00:44:47.870 --> 00:44:54.420 the Old Testament where David describes suffering in language that points forward toward Jesus Christ. 555 00:44:55.160 --> 00:44:59.910 We'll explore the suffering of the Messiah, the prophetic details found throughout 556 00:44:59.910 --> 00:45:05.710 this psalm, and how God's redemptive plan was being revealed long before the cross. 557 00:45:06.130 --> 00:45:08.160 I hope you'll join me for that study. 558 00:45:08.989 --> 00:45:13.680 Until then, look up and remember God's glory. Open His Word and listen to His 559 00:45:13.680 --> 00:45:18.480 truth, and allow what God has revealed to transform the way you live. 560 00:45:19.180 --> 00:45:25.030 Join us next time on Bible Bytes, the podcast where we work to inspire faith one byte at a time.