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God’s Two Books mobile index

Today's Three-minute Bible Study
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Title: God’s Two Books ------------------- Date: 9/3/2002
Keywords: "creation" "Scripture"
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Passage: Psalm 19* mobile index

1. The heavens are telling of the glory of God;
And their expanse is declaring the work of His hands.

2. Day to day pours forth speech,
And night to night reveals knowledge.

7. The law of the Lord is perfect, restoring 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 judgments of the Lord are true; they are righteous altogether.

10. They are more desirable than gold, yes, than much fine gold;
Sweeter also than honey and the drippings of the honeycomb.

11. Moreover, by them Thy servant is warned;
In keeping them there is great reward.

14. Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
Be acceptable in Thy sight,
O Lord, my rock and my Redeemer.

Questions mobile index

1. In the first two verses quoted above, what is it that declares the glory of God?

 

2. In verses 7-11 quoted above, what is the source of great benefit for the servant (v. 11) of God?

 

3. In verse 14, what is the response of the psalmist to the realization that God has provided such rich blessings to him?

 

Practical help mobile index

Go outside on a cloudless, moonless night somewhere away from the city lights and you’ll see what David was talking about. The glory and majesty of the sky at night shouts God’s glory! So does the daytime heat, an afternoon thunderstorm, the expanse of the ocean or the grandeur of a mountain crag.

The Law of the Lord, though, the written record of God’s will, reveals His heart. Not just His bigness, but His grace; not just His enormity, but His holiness; not just His majesty, but His love.

After considering God’s self-revelation in both of His books — the book of nature and the book of Scripture, David prays. His prayer reflects a passion for a life that is pleasing in God’s sight.

David’s psalm provides a helpful "how-to" for anyone struggling with a besetting sin — whether it involves Internet porn or any other tendency that needs to be put aside. Try applying Psalm 19 —

First, spend time thinking about God’s majesty, as seen in the creation. Spend enough time and energy to be overwhelmed by His attention to detail, His creativity, His awesome playfulness.

Then, turn your thoughts to the holiness and righteousness of God as outlined in the Bible. Think of the numerous commands in Scripture that call God’s people to purity and those verses that describe His own holiness.

When your mind is full of the glory and holiness of God, turn to Him in prayer and pray the prayer of verse 14:

"Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
Be acceptable in Thy sight, O Lord,
my rock and my Redeemer."
That is the kind of prayer that our holy creator God loves to answer.
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*"Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, © Copyright The Lockman Foundation 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995. Used by permission."