Psalm 19:1, 2 - The Heavens Declare the Glory of God.
Psalm 19:1, 2: The Heavens Declare the Glory of God.
Psalm 19:1, 2 (NKJV) The heavens declare the glory of God; And
the firmament shows His handiwork. 2 Day unto day utters speech, And
night unto night reveals knowledge.
Psalm 19:1, 2 (NIV) The heavens declare the glory of God; the
skies proclaim the work of his hands. 2 Day after day they pour forth
speech; night after night they display knowledge.
We are surrounded by fantastic displays of Gods
craftsmanship"the heavens give dramatic evidence of his existence, his power, his
love, his care. To say that the universe happened by chance is absurd.
Its design, intricacy, and orderliness point to a personally
involved Creator. As you look at Gods handiwork in nature and the
heavens, thank him for such magnificent beauty and the truth it reveals
about the Creator. [Life Application SB]
Artists are known by their art; musicians are known by their
music. Likewise, God can be known by the universe he created. Psalm
19:1 tells us that the heavens declare his glory and the skies
proclaim his work. The apostle Paul notes that "since the creation of the
world God's invisible qualities - his eternal power and divine nature
- have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been
made" (Romans 1:20). So what can we know of God from his creation? He
is immensely powerful, extravagantly generous and brilliantly
inventive. And he has an amazing flair for beauty. [NIV Once A Day Bible]
A good way to commune with God"as this psalm tells us"is
through nature. Take time to enjoy God's gift of creation. Walk in the
woods; listen to the water rushing in a stream; look at the stars and
moon; smell The flowers. Slow down and take time to hear what nature
tells us about God. Drive through the country, in the mountains, or
take some scenic route. Watch for sunsets and sunrises and beautiful
cloud formations, and on rainy days, look for those rainbows.
Experience the power and fury of a thunderstorm. Watch the birds and
animals, and enjoy the beautiful world our Father created for us.
"Barbara Stephens [Life Recovery Devotional SB]
ILLUSTRATIONS
Last night I looked up at a clear, high-altitude Colorado sky
and was taken aback. My Father placed every one of those stars in
the sky and then called them all by name! And that is just the
beginning of our Father's handiwork. Beyond the Milky Way, there are many
more galaxies, too many to count, all created and placed by our
Father's hand.
It makes me wonder what there could be in my life today, next
week, or ever that is too big for my Father in heaven to handle. The
great God who set the stars in place surely wouldn't have any trouble
with the complications in my life.
As I look up, I am amazed that the one who did all this loves
me. I will never understand what he saw in my beaten-down, messed-up
life. But I happily accept the mystery of it all. He has chosen me to
be his child. He has redeemed me with the precious blood of his
one, sinless Son, Jesus. He has invited me to lay all my troubles at
his feet. Words cannot express my gratitude. I am completely
starstruck!
Father, thank you for creating me in your own image,
demonstrating that you care for me more than you care for all the stars in the
heavens. In Jesus' name, Amen. [Celebrate Recovery Daily Devotional by
John & Johnny Baker]
I was walking out to my car and there it was - a sky filled
with starlight and all the brilliant color of the universe. I just
stood there and took it all in. What an amazingly creative God we
serve. I realize how easy it is to get wrapped up in life and overlook
his beauty all around us. Its so important to slow down and
experience his greatness for a few moments each day.
We should ask ourselves, what are those things that take our
breath away? For me it is watching my grandkids play, seeing my family
pray and laugh together, and listening to my Celebrate Recovery
brothers and sisters share their latest victories.
I continue to be amazed by my changed heart that has the
ability to see even adversity as a gift, to love and appreciate all that
the Lord's given me, to see the value in the smallest things in my
life, and especially to cherish the moment when I see a turning point
in the life of a friend that will lead to healing and freedom.
God's presence in our lives gives us heightened awareness of
his greatness. Let's take a deep breath and drink it in.
Almighty God, your greatness is beyond my ability to
comprehend. Thank you for being a big God in my life. More than I could ever
need. In Jesus' name, Amen. [Celebrate Recovery Daily Devotional by
John & Johnny Baker]
PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS
I speak to you continually. My nature is to communicate,
though not always in words. I fling glorious sunsets across the sky,
day after day after day. I speak in the faces and voices of loved
ones. I caress you with a gentle breeze that refreshes and delights
you. I speak softly in the depths of your spirit, where I have taken
up residence.
You can find Me in each moment, when you have eyes that see
and ears that hear. Ask My Spirit to sharpen your spiritual eyesight
and hearing. I rejoice each time you discover My Presence. Practice
looking and listening for Me during quiet intervals. Gradually you will
find Me in more and more of your moments. You will seek Me and find
Me, when you seek Me above all else. (Psa. 8:1-4; 19:1-2; Jer.
29:13) [Jesus Calling by Sarah Young]
As you listen to birds calling to one another, hear also My
Love-call to you. I speak to you continually: through sights, sounds,
thoughts, impressions, scriptures. There is no limit to the variety of
ways I can communicate with you. Your part is to be attentive to My
messages, in whatever form they come. When you set out to find Me in a
day, you discover that the world is vibrantly alive with My Presence.
You can find Me not only in beauty and birdcalls, but also in
tragedy and faces filled with grief. I can take the deepest sorrow and
weave it into a pattern for good.
Search for Me and My messages, as you go through this day.
You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with your whole being.
(John 10:27; Rom. 8:28; Jer. 29:13) [Jesus Calling by Sarah Young]
Seek My face, and you will find fulfillment of your deepest
longings. My world is filled with beautiful things; they are meant to be
pointers to Me, reminders of My abiding Presence. The earth still
declares My Glory to those who have eyes that see and ears that hear.
You had a darkened mind before you sought Me wholeheartedly.
I chose to pour My Light into you, so that you can be a beacon to
others. There is no room for pride in this position. Your part is to
reflect My Glory. I am the Lord! (Psa. 105:4; 19:1, 2; Isa. 60:2) [Jesus
Calling by Sarah Young]
CLOSING THOUGHT
The apostle Paul referred to this psalm when he explained that
everyone knows about God because nature proclaims Gods existence and
power (Romans 1:19-20). This does not cancel the need for missions
because the message of Gods salvation found in his Word, the Bible,
must still be told to the ends of the earth. While nature points to
the existence of God, the Bible tells us about salvation. Gods
people must explain to others how they can have a relationship with
God. Although people everywhere should already believe in a Creator
by just looking at the evidence of nature around them, God needs us
to explain his love, mercy, and grace. What are you doing to take
Gods message to the world? [Life Application SB]
LINK FOR FURTHER STUDY ON THIS PASSAGE
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2013/20130212-0930.html
LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT
Most Important Decision in Life:
http://www.youtube.com/embed/WGnEuGwvXqU?rel=0
Seeking God Made Real: http://vimeo.com/31489782
Prayer Made Real: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tc8VdMV26VE
LINKS FOR BIBLE STUDIES AND SEMINARS
Glow Tract Video Bible Studies: http://www.bibleresearch.info/
ABible.com: http://www.aBible.com
