Gentle clouds drifting out into space
Reminding me again of my Heavenly Place.
Then big black clouds come rushing in
Reminding me again of my awful sin.
Gentle clouds soothing my awful pain
Assuring me that I’ll get well again.
As I view these clouds I think of Calvary
And the day He died that I might go free.
Gentle clouds drifting in skies above
Assuring me again of God’s great love.
The sun comes out and the clouds go away
Reminding me again of a much better day.
God is such an amazing God. He has revealed Himself to us in a few ways so we can see His love, care and accept His offer of salvation. My grandfather saw God through the beauty of the clouds He created. I can see God in the creation that lives around our home. I can see God in the power of the wind and the gentleness of the clouds drifting by. There are other ways God reveals Himself to us as well. Psalm 19 was written by David around 1000 BC and its theme is about God Himself and how He reveals Himself to us. How can we know God?
Revealed Through His Creation
Psalm 19:1-6 says, “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork. Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge. There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard. 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. 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.”
Look up! See the heavens? They know God’s glory. Day and night we see God’s glory all around us and we know He is here. Every day as we walk by a tree, a flower, a snowflake, a raindrop or even a squirrel; we can be assured there is a Creator. God reveals Himself through nature. We cannot hide from God, our Maker. He is everywhere and we can sing “This Is My Father’s World.”
Revealed Through His Word
Psalm 19:7-11 – “The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.”
David gives us six sentences showing us the power of God’s Word.
The law of the Lord is perfect.
It is free from corruption and perfectly filled with all good and in the end it will make the man of God perfect. We cannot add or subtract from it and it will convert the soul to bring us back to God and our duty to Him. It shows us our miserable state and sinfulness of living.
The testimony of the Lord is sure.
The definition of “sure” is “confident in what one thinks or knows”. We can be confident that God’s testimony will never deceive us. It is a sure foundation of living comforts and lasting hopes and will make us wise unto salvation. God’s testimony can even make the simplest wise for their souls and eternity.
The statutes of the Lord are right.
All of God’s precepts are exactly right, concerning all things and agreeing with all eternal rules and principles of good. When we understand the counsels of God are right then we will have rejoicing in our hearts.
The commandment of the Lord is pure.
Purity is not mixed with any other substance or material. It is clean and without fault. We can embrace it in that way and use it to clean our souls and enlighten our eyes.
The fear of the Lord is clean.
Fear of the Lord here is referring to true religion and godliness that reigns in our heart. It will make our hearts and lives clean. It will cleanse our way and it endures forever. The ceremonial law is no longer used but the fear of the Lord is always the same and we can never get away from the moral law of good and evil.
The judgments of the Lord are true.
They are grounded and sacred and we cannot question them. They are righteous in their totality.
All six of these truths are more precious than gold. David tells us we need to desire them more than gold. We also need to be warned by them in how to live our lives in a godly manner and if we abide by them, we will have great reward.
Revealed Through Living In His Way
“Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults. 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. Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.” This Psalm finishes beautifully as we learn to live in His way.
Here the psalmist asks for cleansing from sin and asks God to keep him from sinning. He just wants a clear understanding of sin so as to avoid it. David has a sweet repentance and complete yielding to God. He provides us a way of continual praise and joy when we say this verse and take it to heart.
With God revealing Himself in these many ways, how can we help but seek His salvation, worship and live for Him.