The Law of the Lord Is Perfect
><> ><> PSALM 19 <>< <><
To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David.
1 The heavens declare the glory of God,
and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.
2 Day to day pours out speech,
and night to night reveals knowledge.
3 There is no speech, nor are there words,
whose voice is not heard.
4 Their voice goes out through all the earth,
and their words to the end of the world.
In them he has set a tent for the sun,
5 which comes out like a bridegroom leaving his chamber,
and, like a strong man, runs its course with joy.
6 Its rising is from the end of the heavens,
and its circuit to the end of them,
and there is nothing hidden from its heat.
7 The law of the Lord is perfect,
reviving the soul;
the testimony of the Lord is sure,
making wise the simple;
8 the precepts of the Lord are right,
rejoicing the heart;
the commandment of the Lord is pure,
enlightening the eyes;
9 the fear of the Lord is clean,
enduring forever;
the rules of the Lord are true,
and righteous altogether.
10 More to be desired are they than gold,
even much fine gold;
sweeter also than honey
and drippings of the honeycomb.
11 Moreover, by them is your servant warned;
in keeping them there is great reward.
12 Who can discern his errors?
Declare me innocent from hidden faults.
13 Keep back your servant also from presumptuous sins;
let them not have dominion over me!
Then I shall be blameless,
and innocent of great transgression.
14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
be acceptable in your sight,
O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.
While there is a general revelation for all creation to see (Psalm 1:1-6, Romans 1:18-32), we also, by the divine providence and the gracious, sovereign will of God, now have the Word of God. In times past, as it says in Hebrews 1:1, God spoke to us in various means and ways, but now, God speaks to us through Jesus Christ, His Son, in and through the holy Scriptures. Therefore, after celebrating the birth of Christ and reminiscing about the precious promises of God that we have in Christ as we read His Word, let us worship Him. His Son shall be called Immanuel, which means, God is with us. Let us worship Him!
With all our breath and with all our might, let us come before Him: the King of kings and the Lord of lords. He is majestic and full of glory. To Him, by Him, and through Him, all creation was made. So, let us look at the sky and all the evidence of His divine handiwork. He is to be praised. How great thou art! Oh, Lord my God!
In John 12:20-22, it says, “Some Greeks had gone to Jerusalem to worship during Passover. 21 Philip from Bethsaida in Galilee was there too. So they went to him and said, “Sir, we would like to meet Jesus.” 22 Philip told Andrew. Then the two of them went to Jesus and told him.” Oh, how gracious the Word of God is, that even the Greeks, who were once far away from the promises of God and now brought nigh by His blood (Ephesians 2:13). Therefore, the wall of hostility has been removed so we also can sing and praise Him, “Yes! He included me!” Like the Greeks who were God-fearers and went to Jerusalem to worship God during the Passover, heard the ‘buzz’ and the clamor from the crowd. They also, because of the effectually drawing of the Holy Spirit that was operating in their lives, desired to see Jesus. It was not chance that they came to Philip. It was by God’s sovereign will for one to bring them to Jesus, How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news to weary souls! God promised His Son, and Jesus came. Now, God is with us! And His name shall be called Immanuel! The Holy Spirit, who inspired men to bring us God’s words in Holy Scripture, also calls and brings men to a full understanding of who Jesus is. So now, we have both the Written Word, the Living Word, and the indwelling Spirit of the Word to enlighten and give us truth!
This truth is the power of God from this blessed union of Spirit and Word. God’s Word is all sufficient. Psalm 19:7-11 are the most beautiful description of God’s presence to us. He is perfect! His testimonies are sure! His precepts are right! His commandments are sure! The fear of the Lord is clean and endures forever! The words of the Lord are true; they are desired more than gold, and are sweeter than honey in my mouth! By His word we are warned and by keeping them, there is a great reward!
His Word is effectual! It goes out and does not return empty! It revives the weary soul and makes the simple wise. It causes the heart of man to rejoice. It enlightens the eyes of the heart with its message of truth and hope.
With all that the Word of God does for the man of God, should we not also give Him His due by honoring His Word: not just by mere possession and laying it on the coffee table to collect dust, but by taking His Word and to continually be fully saturated with what it says. Thy word, I have hidden in my heart that I might not sin against Thee (Psalm 119:16 KJV). If we, like the Greeks at Passover, want to see Jesus, we need His Word. In the beginning, the Word was with and was God (John 1:1). Those who have seen Jesus have seen God (John 14:9). And by His Word, we come and see Him with the eyes of faith. Blessed are those who believe without seeing (John 20:28-29).
><> ><> PRAYER <>< <><
My Lord and my God, I desire to not only see Jesus but to also have Him! Give me Jesus, Lord God. Give me life, abundant life in and through Him. Give me a passion and a desire to take every word format the holy Word of God and be transformed by the power of God into the image of His Son. May others see Jesus in me! In Jesus’ Name, I pray, amen!
><> ><> HYMN <>< <><
Open My Eyes That I May See, by Clara H. Scott in 1895:
