Learning More About God

The heavens declare the glory of God. The expanse shows his handiwork.

Day after day they pour forth speech, and night after night they display knowledge.

There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard.

Their voice has gone out through all the earth, their words to the end of the world.

In them he has set a tent for the sun, which is as a bridegroom coming out of his room,

like a strong man rejoicing to run his course.

His going forth is from the end of the heavens, his circuit to its ends;

There is nothing hidden from its heat.

Yahweh’s law is perfect, restoring the soul. Yahweh’s testimony is sure, making wise the simple.

Yahweh’s precepts are right, rejoicing the heart. Yahweh’s commandment is pure, enlightening the eyes.

The fear of Yahweh is clean, enduring forever. Yahweh’s ordinances are true, and righteous altogether.

More to be desired are they than gold, yes, than much fine gold;

sweeter also than honey and the extract of the honeycomb.

Moreover by them is your servant warned. In keeping them there is great reward.

Psalm 19:1-11 (WEB)

I had to work this past weekend and during a slow time I went to the online Bible (www.ebible.org) and read this psalm. I am not gifted to write poetry but, praise God, I can appreciate it!

If you haven’t taken time to sit outside and look at the sky, I hope you will take some time this week and do so. Wherever you live, the beauty of the night sky with the stars winking against the dark expanse is time in a beautiful sanctuary uniquely created each evening by our Lord. And then there is the daylight when clouds move softly through or quickly darken as a storm moves in. Even the flash and crack of thunder and lightening are magnificent in their power. I enjoy a storm as I watch through the window in the safety of my home.

Taking the time to look and marvel at the creation of God is a time of worship and encouragement. It affirms to me the reality and supremacy of my Creator and God. I connect to the presence of God and arrive at a new level of awareness that He is Elohim, mighty God, and yet knows me as His child.

The writer of this psalm is not just looking at the beauty. The writer is also celebrating the law, statues, precepts, commands, and ordinances of our God. Now what do all of those words mean? There are books written about that! And for me, when all is written and said, it matters what God says to me about those words and how that will affect the life He has for me to live. So here is what I have learned:

– God’s Law – to the Jews, the Torah, teaches, reviving my life in Him. It is the parental side of God trying to teach me right from wrong.

– God’s statues – They are His testimony to who and what He is. They are to be trusted and give wisdom to anyone who has ears to hear.

– God’s precepts – The principles that I can learn as God teaches me. His principles are written on my heart.

– God’s commands – These are the “mitzvahs”, the good deeds of my Lord. They are the light in a dark world; even a revelation.

– God’s ordinances – God’s judgment is always just. God has no prejudice or bias. God is the only judge.

Depending on the translation you read, different words are used in the verses we have meditated on today. But all translations use five different words to describe these God-words. As I read and spoke with Henry about the Hebrew words that the words tried to describe in their translation, I understood that finite (limiting) words will never be able to completely describe our infinite God! However limiting, I came away from this psalm with new views and felt closer to my God. And that is what I believe God wants for me – to be closer to Him.