Renew Us - Week 11 (Psalm 19:1-14)
Psalm 19:1-14
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Psalm 19:1-14
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Psalm 19:1-14 〰️ Psalm 19:1-14 〰️
In his letter to the young church in Rome, Paul wrote them, saying that those who do not believe and follow Christ are "without excuse," as God's "eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen since the creation of the world." (Romans 1:20). Similarly, king David writes Psalm 19 for us to read today. He says, "the heavens declare the glory of God" (v1) and, "their message has gone out to the whole earth, and their words to the ends of the world" (v4).
So, as we approach this passage, we should read this Psalm with the perspective of potential for renewal. Verse 7 is where we want to focus in on in this passage, as David writes, "The instruction of the Lord is perfect, renewing one's life" (v7a). God's Word (His instruction), the Bible you're likely holding, or the app you have open is how God promises to renew us each and every day.
The Psalmist tells us that God's words are "more desireable than gold-- than an abundance of pure gold; and sweeter than honey dripping from a honeycomb" (v10). As we read and steep ourselves in God's Word, it's worth sitting in the question of, "do I view God's truth in such a way?" If we don't, why? What's missing in us that prevents us from desiring the Lord in such a way that it holds more weight in our hearts than money or the best pleasures this world has to offer?
Our heart behind reading through these Psalms over these three weeks is that God would renew something in our hearts. When we think of or hear the word revival, it can often cause us to picture these big nationwide transformations of people. Still, more commonly, it's this renewal and inward transformation that begins with the Holy Spirit tugging on our hearts. A(n informal) question for us during these next few weeks is this: what is it in your heart that the Lord wants to renew? God can do anything He desires, but most often, He is a gentleman who does not barge in but awaits an invitation. In John's vision from the Lord, he wrote of exactly this:
"See! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me." (Revelation 3:20).
So, as we enter into the summertime and lean into what our Lord desires for us, we encourage you to ask your people (and consider yourselves), what does God desire to renew in me?
Key Terms and Doctrine
General Revelation
General Revelation is the knowledge of God's existence, character, and moral law, which comes through creation to all humanity.¹ This is where Paul writes that man is without excuse" because the mere existence of the complexity of the human eye, the vastness of the Grand Canyon, and the depth of the most remote and desolate parts of the ocean only further prove the intelligence and creativity of our God. As civilization has marched on, we have tricked ourselves into believing that science disproves the existence of God. A-theistic scientists assert that because we know how a fetus is formed in the womb, it is no longer a miracle rather than God's intentional design and creativity. And so, Paul gives us a taste of this theological term, general revelation. Part of this general revelation is what we now call a moral compass or a conscience. So many people in the world fighting for justice do so based on what they believe to be right, good, and just. We know justice to exist because our God instilled that within us.
"...Even unbelievers who have no written record of God's law still have in their consciences some understanding of God's moral demands."²
God has given everyone this general revelation; evidence of not only His existence, but of His intentional design and goodness. This is why David writes in Psalm 19 that, "The heavens declare the glory of God, and the expanse proclaims the work of his hands." (Psalm 19:1).
Discussion Questions
What stood out to you from the passage?
Does anything in this passage remind you of another part of Scripture?
Do you have any questions?
What is the writer trying to teach us in this passage?
How are God's words "more desirable than gold" and "sweeter than honey"? (v10) What might it be like to view God's truth like this?
Read Romans 1:20. What are some of the "invisible attributes" that we can observe today?
What does it look like for God to cleanse us from our hidden faults? (v12-13) What has He already done for us? What must we do?
1. Wayne Grudem, Bible Doctrine: Essential Teachings of the Christian Faith (Zondervan Academic: Grand Rapids, MI, 1999), 485.
2. Ibid., 57.