The Heavens Proclaim – Psalm 19 Part 1

Scripture: Psalm 19 (Click Link) 1 The heavens proclaim the glory of God. The skies display his craftsmanship. 2 Day after day they continue to speak; night after night they make him known. 3 They speak without a sound or word; their voice is never heard. 4 Yet their message has gone throughout the earth, and their words to all the world. God has made a home in the heavens for the sun. 5 It bursts forth like a radiant bridegroom after his wedding. It rejoices like a great athlete eager to run the race. 6 The sun rises at one end of the heavens and follows its course to the other end. Nothing can hide from its heat. (Psalm 19:1-6 NLT)

David spent his early years as a shepherd in the hills of Judea, at all seasons, with little to distract him. His careful observation of his surroundings, combined with a strong poetic sense, developed in him a deep love and respect for God. David’s science was different from ours. His earth was like a great platform, supported at its corners with pillars. A solid expanse called “the heavens” stretched overhead. God placed sun, moon, and stars in that expanse, and they moved in predictable patterns, day and night, and year after year. Rain and snow were kept in great storehouses until their season, and the winds were sent from earth’s four corners by God.

It’s wonderful that David could look into “the heavens”, observe the sun, moon, and stars in their orderly march across the surface of the earth, and see characteristics of the God who created them. We can look into “space” and see the sun, moon, and stars moving in their consistent patterns as the earth turns on its axis and makes its journey around the sun from our spot on our tiny planet in the vast universe, and see the same characteristics of the same God who created it all!

David observed creation and concluded that it was a display of God’s majesty. Creation itself was a message to all the world that God is faithful and reliable and consistent and dependable. God’s work displays his nature and his ability. We can know God’s majesty through his Creation. We can know God’s nature by how his Creation works. (See Romans 1:19-20) Take time to get outside and look up, look down, look around. If you can’t get outside, watch something on TV or the internet about the earth and the universe. Either way, be amazed at God who created it and who (also) knows your name and loves you dearly! Prayer: Father, May we open our eyes and our hearts to become more aware of your presence. Help us to take it personally! Us personally with you and you personally with us! Amen!