PSALMS 19
October 25, 2005
(Psa 19:1)
The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.
Hear the words of the shepherd boy. These are the words of a man who spent the early years of his youth as a shepherd keeping his father’s flocks. Like the patriarch Abraham, he studied the night sky and found it to bear witness of God’s greatness.
Who can look at the sky and ignore the majesty of God; it is God’s handwriting and signature. The book of Genesis tells us that on the second day of creation, God made a firmament that divided the waters, and that on the fourth day, He placed lights in that firmament to give us light and give us seasons and times.
Puny man in his pride can do and say what he wants; he can write great so-called educated books in order to deny the author of these beautiful handiworks; he can attempt to change the times and seasons that God has appointed in order to confuse God’s chronology; he can crawl on the ground of the earth in his man-made environments where he does not have to look up and see the great testimony of a power that is greater than he, but all along, from the beginning of times, all around the world, whether he likes if or not, man has to follow the basic divisions of day and nigh, of the days of the weeks, months and years as God has appointed them in the beginning. He has to work his field according to the seasons that God has established; he has no power whatsoever to change any of it. While man in his arrogance boasts of his own personal power to establish his destiny, he is every day forced to obey the Maker and Planner of this great universe.
No matter how much we try to ignore God’s leading and influence in our lives, we are bound by his design. We breath by the breath that He has given us, and our heart beats at His tempo. How much happier then would we be if our lives were led in harmony with His will.
O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps.
(Jer 10:23)
October 26, 2005
(Psa 19:2) Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge.
In the Beatitudes, the Lord Jesus tells us, “Blessed are the pure in heart, they shall see God” (Mat 5:8). Without the purity of the heart, all one can tend to see or hear in this world is cynicism, doubt, fear, ill motivations and evil. For us to hear the “speech” that God communicates to us daily, and to see the knowledge that He is trying to teach us in the visions of the night, we need to clean and purify our heart from its worldly content. We need to tune in to God’s station and obliterate the thoughts and concepts brought by the enemy’s static in our heart and lives.
How blessed are those people whose heart is pure, and who can see God in the events that come their way. When one’s heart is pure and cleansed, the negative elements of the day turn into opportunities and lessons learned. He can see the positive reasons why God brought them in the first place! In spite of difficulties, he can see bread in what looked like a stone. Even the visions of the night become elements of warning or instruction rather than mere empty dreams or nightmares.
Let us therefore purify ourselves of former thoughts, behaviors and attitudes and discover the purity that God has for us—His interpretation of the daily and nightly events.
(Phi 4:8) Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
October 27, 2005
(Psa 19:3)
There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard.
In the beginning God put light in the firmament between the waters. He said that these lights were “to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years: And let them be for lights in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth: (Gen 1:14,15)
In their speech, language and voice, these lights of the firmament teach us of God’s great wisdom. The light of the sun is itself invisible--we only see it by the objects that reflect it. The sun’s heat also can only be felt when it is absorbed by objects in its path. In the same way, God’s love, warmth and care is manifest in those who reflect Him.
In this dark and desperate world, we can be the light and warmth of God for men everywhere if we only let Him use us as reflectors of His Love and Wisdom.
The moon itself has no light of its own, but its rocks act as reflectors. These reflectors give us the light that brightens our night sky.
“And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever” (Dan 12:3)
Let the wisdom of God enter you so you can shine as a light in the midst of the spiritual darkness of this world. Be one of God’s reflectors. Just remember, the Light doesn’t come from you!
The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.
(Num 6:25-26)
October 28, 2005
Psa 19:4,5 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.
From its beginning, this psalm tells us about the glory of God as shown through His handiworks. From the beginning this psalm tells us of the words uttered by the voices in the heavens and the firmament. From the beginning God created the heavens and the earth as His signature to us, and placed the heavenly bodies in the firmament of the heavens in order to tell us of his love. He placed the sun in the midst of the firmament as if it were its home, it’s tabernacle.
In the wee hours of the morning, the sun appears on the eastern horizon as the battle royal against darkness and frost. At a single glimpse of sunlight darkness flees and frigidity melts away. None can help it; none can change it--no never. All throughout the day the sun gives its warmth to all on Earth. As a strong valiant knight of light and warmth, he fights the demons of darkness and cold, forever rejoicing and feasting of his uncompromising and ever gallant victories.
How like the Sun, Jesus-Christ the Sun of Righteousness Himself lives and shines daily through the “eastern gate” of our hearts to be revered as the Son of God-- marking His unalterable victory over the demons that would keep us in the cold darkness of night !
Let Him rise each morning in the eastern sky of your soul! Let Him fight your battles as the valiant knight to whom you, his fair lady, have given your colors of devotion.
2Ch 20:17 Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the LORD with you, O Judah and Jerusalem: fear not, nor be dismayed; to morrow go out against them: for the LORD will be with you.
October 29, 2005
(Psa 19:6) 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.
Is anything hid from the sun? Does it withold its heat from anyone?
In its course, the sun covers the whole earth in every country.
Everyone in every country feels its warmth and reaps the food that it causes to grow.
In this psalm, the Lord is represented as the sun.
What a majestic picture! What a majestic analogy--a self-renewing and all-conquering power faithfully returning every day to give its blessings. Its mercies are new every morning .
It dries up whole countries and yet brings life to others. None control it and it answers to no one. It shines where it shines, yet we can borrow its properties.
It is exactly at the right distance and position so that the whole earth can feel it as a planet, but also every one of us as individuals.
Without it there would be no food, no heat and no color in our lives.
How much like Jesus and His Holy Spirit, the Sun is.
Just like His mercies, He is renewed to us every morning (Lam 3:22,23) regardless of our track record.
He is the King of King, answers to no one and is not bound by anyone or anything, but yet tells us to command Him (Is 45:11).
He is available for the whole earth but yet can answer our prayers on an individual basis (Jer 3:33), and He brings food, warmth and color in our lives.
Knowing all this child, be not afraid to go to him in prayers!
(Heb 4:16) Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
October 30, 2005
(Psa 19:7) The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.
The Hebrew word, “Torah”, translated to us as “Law”, actually means “Instruction”. It is therefore the instruction of the Lord that is perfect. I dare to assume every one who is a believer would agree with me that if anyone’s instruction in our lives is perfect, it is the Lord’s, and therefore it is good counsel to follow. But do we? Maybe we agree to it in words, in worship songs, in prayers; but what about in the actions of every day life?
What if the Lord would give you right now specific instructions on how to dress and not to dress in order to reflect Him better?
Or what if He told you that certain things in your diet were unhealthy or that some of your friends were detrimental to you?
What if He started to give you instructions of what you should do with your free time?
Don’t you think that these instructions would be for your best interest, and for the converting of your soul from unhealthy appetites to healthier ones?
Would you feel that the Lord is “meddling” in your “personal affairs”?
Would you follow His directives?
Do you follow those He has already given in His Word?
When one has agreed to the Instruction of the Lord in his heart and life, he doesn’t need to proclaim it with jewelry, bumper stickers or advertising tee shirts. It is evident to all who see him, because of the conversion of his lifestyle to new healthier appetites. It is a sure testimony of the Lord for the “simple” who will pass by and be advised to learn from what he sees.
“Lord, help to truly believe in your words, not with my mouth only but with my heart, soul and body.”
But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
(Jam 1:22)
October 31, 2005
(Psa 19:8) The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.
Many today proclaim themselves to be teachers of the Truth of the Word of God, and maybe they are but the litmus test is that the statutes of the Lord rejoice the heart. The statutes of the Lord rejoice our heart because of their rightness. Their rightness calms the confusion of the world with their safe boundaries, soothes the hurt and pain of our heart with their balm, directs in the right way with their light, comfort our sorrow with their love, enable our weakness with their strength. If the word that you hear in an “honest and good heart” (Luke 8:15) does not bring these to you, but brings confusion, doubt, fear and a perverted sense of freedom, if they do not rejoice your heart with their rightness, they are not the statutes f the Lord.
When one has been fed by the Word of Truth, be it written or oral, he goes away full, satisfied, purified, enlightened. He can see his way better, understand his life better, his spiritual life progresses and is on the “up-swing”. He may not understand everything in his mind, but he does in his faith, so he grows!
Every once in a while one needs to ask himself, “Am I getting fed? Am I getting fed good healthy food of the spirit that promotes growth, or am I feeding on “junk-food” that only makes me fat? Am I feeding on the pure Word of God, or am I listening to flattering fables? The answer is simple, are you rejoicing and enlightened about your life, or are you confused and in the dark?
Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings, As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.
(1Pe 2:1-3)
November 1, 2005
(Psa 19:9) The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.
How different are the Lord’s judgments from the temporary corrupt reverences and loyalties that are given to the “lords” of man’s kingdom. Like the old adage says, “fame is fickle”. On the one day they acclaimed Him as a King,crying “Hosanna” in the streets of Jerusalem, only to cry “crucify Him”, and “let His blood be upon us and our children” a few days later.
By comparison, the reverence, respect and honor that we give to the Lord comes with no strings attached, neither brownie points for good behavior or flatteries. Not only it is “clean” from the impure motives of this world, but it is also cleansing.
By their truth and righteousness, God’s judgments cleanse us from our iniquity; as we revere Him, He teaches us His eternal truths that never change, and that have the power to renew our hearts.
Oh, that we may trust His judgments; that we may lean on Him as onto the strong unmovable Rock that quenched the thirst of the Children of Israel with Its Truth while they were in the dry desert! Oh, that the dry desert of our soul may be filled with the Truth, righteousness, purity and eternity of God’s judgments! Let’s open our hearts and yield our lives, our souls to Him. Allow Him to judge and assess them without fear, without reservation. Isn’t He wiser and greater than any psychologist this world could offer? Then let Him give them back to us all clean and pure.
But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel. Our fathers trusted in thee: they trusted, and thou didst deliver them. They cried unto thee, and were delivered: they trusted in thee, and were not confounded.
(Psa 22:3-5)
November 2, 2005
(Psa 19:10) More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.
People have forsaken much for the prospect of wealth. During the gold rush, men left loved ones and traveled long distances to follow the potential of fortune. They invested their health, their principles, their scruples and even sometimes their faith (1 Tim 6;10), for the “precious” metal. Day after day and in all seasons, they sifted the metal from amidst the rocks for long hours. Every time they found a nugget, they got excited, shouted and rejoiced.
People continue the same trend for financial opportunities, higher paying jobs, or a more lucrative position in the company
The Law, the testimony, the Statute, the Commandment, the fear and judgment of the Lord are worth more than any riches and any gold this world can offer. They are “more precious than gold, yea than much fine gold” (Psa 19:10)
If one is serious about understanding God’s will, God’s Spirit, God’s principles, God’s love and all that pertains to Him, it will take him a lifetime of exciting and enjoyable research, just like with the one who invests his life in the pursuit of material wealth. The one who appreciates the “gold” of the spirit finds it not a sacrifice to dedicate the time and energy to sift for it amidst the “rocks” of man’s doctrines. He finds a vein of precious truth and follows it, though he may lose it for a time. In earnest faith he keeps digging until he finds it again or discovers a new one that will take him in a new and different direction. Every time he finds a nugget, or a new vein, he rejoices as one who has found a great treasure, and indeed he has found a treasure that not only makes him rich, but brings with it sweetness to his soul rather that the bitterness and emptiness left by the pursuit of the riches of this world.
(Hag 1:6) Ye have sown much, and bring in little; ye eat, but ye have not enough; ye drink, but ye are not filled with drink; ye clothe you, but there is none warm; and he that earneth wages earneth wages to put it into a bag with holes.
For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.
(Rom 11:29)
November 3, 2005
(Psa 19:11) Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.
Parents have the responsibility of foreseeing danger that lies ahead due to bad decisions our children and teenagers make at times. Our children in turn often view our wise restrictions as unreasonable and untrusting. They don’t like them, they scream abuse and “bloody murder” and try every trick in the bag, lash out at us a flood of accusation used as emotional blackmail all in an attempt to make us change our mind about dating or curfew hours, music or clothing. Hopefully though, we as parents have matured from having already gone through these dangerous paths, and we are therefore meant to “share the wisdom”, and stand stoic until the storm is over.
In turn, God also gave His Laws and commandments on how we should and should not live. These go beyond obedience to the do’s and don’ts of the letter of the law, but rather try to curb attitudes such as selfishness, anger, indulgence, pride, revenge, unhealthy appetites, deceit and the likes. God warns us about these things, but oh, how we fight and try to absolve ourselves from guilt in our wise subtle and “excuse-making” ways, by acting no better than the unreasonable teenager mentioned above. It’s all so sad!
“Lord, help me to look at your Word of commandment as the light that I need to direct my path, my hands and my thoughts. In Jesus’ Name!”
Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
(Psa 119:105)
November 4, 2005
(Psa 19:12) Who can understand his errors? Cleanse thou me from secret faults.
Hopefully, with growth and age, comes maturation and learning. The foolish dreams of childhood give way to more rational thinking; the thoughtless actions of youth are replaced by wiser conduct.
It is a sign of maturation when one can look at his past and see his errors, and it is all the more commendable when one has, learned from these errors. By contrast, it is woefully pathetic when one continues making the same mistakes time and again, not learning the lessons that life has in store for him.
The rolling of time is needed for us to be able to reflect on ourselves and reap the harvest of wisdom that life has to offer. At the very moment of our actions, when are our own judges we become like a blind man leading the blind. At that moment, we truly do not understand our errors, and what we think is “right” at the time, could be a “secret fault” that will be understood as a fault later.
Along with the passage of life, the daily feeding on the Word of God brings that light to our spirit that shines brighter every day, so that every time we look back at the walls of our soul, we can see new “spots” to clean.
(Pro 4:18) But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.
November 5, 2005
(Psa 19:13) 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.
To ask God for His help identifying error and sin in our lives in order to stay pure from transgressing His loving Laws is an absolute act of humility. It’s an acknowledgment and recognition of weakness, which provokes a need for God, which in turn, God is more than willing to succor.
Let this be our prayer daily, and let this prayer be a perpetual sacrifice on the brazen altar of God. Only God in His Word can help us identify sin in our lives, and only He can help us not to be overcome by it. From the Garden of Eden, the sole reason for sin was a failure to call on God for His protection, and this was something King David had obviously learned. Even in the prayer that our Lord Jesus taught us to pray, this very notion is evident when He says, “lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil” (Luke 11:4).
Little do we know that the little compromises of today may very possibly lead us in the great apostasy of tomorrow. It is the little foxes that spoil the vine! (Song 2:15)
He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much.
(Luk 16:10)
November 6, 2005
(Psa 19:14) Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.
What are the key words in this sentence? What is the emphasis of this statement? The author could have easily made it, “THE WORDS OF MY MOUTH”, thus putting the emphasis on the careful uttering of speech. He could have also put it on “THE MEDITATION OF MY HEART” showing concern for his inner conversations. Or could it be, “BE ACCEPTABLE” thus drawing our attention toward our own sense of righteousness? No, the most important words here are “IN THY SIGHT”, thus bringing us to evaluate our speech and inner conversation by the Lord’s rule of acceptance!
The Lord in His Word is the standard, the bureau of measure by which everything is deemed acceptable or non-acceptable, good or bad, right or wrong. There is no other standard by which to measure anything.
Oddly enough, mankind seems too often to forget the Words of the manufacturer or our lives to follow its own set of beliefs and standards. Jesus asked the religious leaders of His days, “Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition?” (Mat 15:3)
Lord Jesus, help me to have the courage to bring every area of my life to You for Your evaluation. Help me to keep back nothing and have the assurance that in Your love You only want what is right for me, and that because of Your wisdom, You are aware of the pitfall laying ahead of my foolish thinking. In Jesus Name, I pray!”
Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
(Pro 3:5-6)
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