Psalm 19 – A Psalm About God

Psalm 19 is about God. We can know of HIm through nature and through His holy Word.

In November, I went to the Oregon Coast and beheld the most unbelievable sunset.

It made me think of Romans 1:18-20, where Paul says that everyone is without excuse, because God’s attributes shine through clearly in nature. I think David must have been watching a similar sunset when he wrote this Psalm, because he says about the same thing.

1The heavens declare the glory of God,
   and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.
2Day to day pours out speech,
   and night to night reveals knowledge.
3There is no speech, nor are there words,
   whose voice is not heard.
4Their voice goes out through all the earth,
   and their words to the end of the world.

Psalm 19:1-4 (ESV)

We don’t need to physically hear God’s voice thundering out of the sky or see Him levitate someone to believe He’s real. We can look around and know.

The second half of the Psalm talks about the Bible. David didn’t have the entire Bible, but what he did have satisfied him. The Bible spoke to him of God, just like nature spoke to him of God. We have God’s entire Word, so we should never complain. If David found rest for his soul in the limited portion of God’s Word he had available to him, we should find complete and total satisfaction knowing that God’s mysteries have been revealed to us.

David knew that in God’s Word life and contentment could be found. We rely on our “progressive” universities filled with all-wise professors, our enlightened media, and the latest scientific advances for our wisdom. Well, scrap all that crap. God’s Word contains all we need for life and contentment.

7The law of the LORD is perfect,
   reviving the soul;
the testimony of the LORD is sure,
   making wise the simple;
8the precepts of the LORD are right,
   rejoicing the heart;
the commandment of the LORD is pure,
   enlightening the eyes;
9the fear of the LORD is clean,
   enduring forever;
the rules of the LORD are true,
   and righteous altogether.
10More to be desired are they than gold,
   even much fine gold;
sweeter also than honey
   and drippings of the honeycomb.
11Moreover, by them is your servant warned;
   in keeping them there is great reward.

Psalm 19:7-11 (ESV)

Romans 2 – A Couple Thoughts

Some thoughts on Romans 2.

We always affirm that salvation is by faith alone, but what about works?

6He will render to each one according to his works: 7to those who by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, he will give eternal life; 8but for those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, there will be wrath and fury. (ESV)

These kinds of verses always make me think. If we’re saved by faith, then why all this talk about judgment of our works? I think, for me, it’s pretty clear. We will be judged on the things we do. Our faith will save us, but we must do what we’ve been called to do.

Just some Thoughts – Romans 1

I was reading Romans 1 this morning, and verse 16 really struck me.

16For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. (ESV)

Am I ashamed of the gospel? Do I take every opportunity to share it when it needs to be shared? Does everyone at work, and everyone I meet, know that I’m a Christian? I need to be more aware of Who I stand for, and make sure that when the day comes, I can stand before the throne and say with confidence that I fully and openly represented the gospel.