Ira Baptist Church
Sunday, June 29

      • Philippians 2.5-7ESV

      • Philippians 2.8-10ESV

      • Philippians 2.11ESV

  • He Is Lord
  • His Mercy Is More

      • Psalms 103.1-4NIV2011

      • Psalms 103.5-8NIV2011

      • Psalms 103.9-12NIV2011

      • Psalms 103.13-16NIV2011

      • Psalms 103.17-19NIV2011

      • Psalms 103.20-22NIV2011

  • How Great Thou Art
  • How Great Is Our God
  • Whenever a couple is working through counseling, whether for existing troubles or in a case of premarital counseling, one of the main issues to really dig deep in is communication.
    Communication is preventative maintenance in a marriage. It is like brushing your teeth, it takes care of the little buildups of life in real time, rather than letting them pile up. Communication fosters a relationship of trust and transparency. Communication builds understanding - live with each other in an understanding way. Communication is a way to live life as a team, not just as competing individuals.
    Sometimes communication breaks down, though. Like the couple who went in for counseling, and their pastor was working through the importance of communication. The man who had been quiet most of the session finally pipes up. “Yeah, I see that communication is important. But sometimes I feel like she just isn’t a good communicator at all! Like last night, I was just sitting in my chair minding my own business watching TV - when suddenly, out of nowhere, she started yelling at me, ‘Are you even listening to me!?’ Isn’t that a strange way to try to start a conversation?”
    Yes, communication is important. We see that in the Psalms. And in large part, the Psalms are full of God’s people communicating to God in prayer and praise. But in Psalm 19, the primary concern is God’s communication to us. And just like that man in couples counseling, the question that becomes important is this - are we listening?
    Like last week, this Psalm is structured as a Chiasm - which means it builds from foundational statements at the beginning and end, and we find the main idea or the big picture of the Psalm in the Middle.
    We find in the beginning, the heavens are declaring something. At the end, our hearts are declaring something. And where those two come together is in the fact that God is declaring his name, his wisdom, his purposes, and his desires in His Word.
    And, by the way, the thrust of this Psalm is that God’s revelation is wonderful and good. It is an amazing thing that God has revealed himself to us! Consider the ways that God is described to us:
    1 Timothy 6:16 ESV
    who alone has immortality, who dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen or can see. To him be honor and eternal dominion. Amen.
    Job 11:7–9 ESV
    “Can you find out the deep things of God? Can you find out the limit of the Almighty? It is higher than heaven—what can you do? Deeper than Sheol—what can you know? Its measure is longer than the earth and broader than the sea.
    Isaiah 40:22 ESV
    It is he who sits above the circle of the earth, and its inhabitants are like grasshoppers; who stretches out the heavens like a curtain, and spreads them like a tent to dwell in;
    Mysterious, Hidden, unfindable, far above, Far deeper, too vast to know - yet, with all that, what we learn is that God does not play hard to get - he does not play hard to find. In fact, he makes himself quite knowable, quite findable, and quite near.
    It is perhaps the biggest picture of Grace and the picture of God “loving us first” - the fact that He has reveled himself at all. Because otherwise, we wouldn’t have any inkling of Him. Yet, he has designed generally in nature, and specifically through His Word that we might know him, and that knowing Him would radically change us.
    Because it is God’s purpose that we would know him, that we would rejoice in His revelation, but that beyond simply rejoicing, we would listen.

    God has spoken broadly through a big open book, and specifically through his written book, and his work in both of them is to draw our hearts to him as our Rock and Redeemer.

    1. The Heavens Declare - vs. 1-6

    Much like Psalm 8 that we looked at last week, David points our eyes upward to the heavens.
    The analogy of the sky speaking out God’s glory is a beautiful image, and one we are well-familiar with. In other places I have lived or visited, it is not unusual for the sky to be so polluted with the lights of cities and streets that you can hardly see the stars. But here in Vermont, on a clear night, anybody is left in awe at the vastness of space.
    Even in David’s day, without telescopes or satelites or spacecraft, they knew that the universe was expansive and vast. Scientific study has only confirmed and deepened that assumption.
    There is a uniqueness of how the night sky reveals that there is a God. Imagine if there was no night sky, and no stars. There would be no reference point. The largest thing we would be able to imagine is our planet. But the stars, how many and how vast their array is, tell us without words that there is much much more.
    What they tell and declare is put simply: the glory of God.
    Romans 1:18 ESV
    For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth.
    Romans 1:19 ESV
    For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them.
    Romans 1:20 ESV
    For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.
    No doubt, Paul has Psalm 19 in mind here. And it helps us. What do the heavens declare? There is a Powerful, Divine being behind and above all of this, and He cannot be ignored.
    Many through the centuries have worshipped the stars and especially the sun. And the sun here is given a lot of attention.
    IT is described as a strong and joyful new husband, eager to go to its tent at night, and eager to rise for his daily work.
    It is last described with this - there is nothing hidden from its heat. If the sun itself were the point, then we may be left worshipping our nearest star. But remember, the heavens declare not the greatness of the sun moon and stars, but the power of their creator.
    Constantly, the wordless book of creation tells us that there is a supreme and powerful God.
    Day after day, a continuous chorus. Every rising of the sun, and every appearing of the stars says the same thing - God is over all, are you listening to Him?
    Just as there is nothing hidden from the heat of the sun as the earth makes its orbit and every part of the planet is bathed in its rays, so how much more is nothing hidden from its creator?
    We are told, here and in Romans, that this general revelation is clear and abundant - it is enough so that no person on this earth is without excuse for not looking further for this supreme creator. But the sad truth is that rather than causing men to look for Him, most turn and look the other way, looking for anything but him.
    Yet, we start with this amazing truth. God has put the seed and tilled ground of missionary work in every part of the globe. Wherever nature can be seen, men are given the continuous revelation and the simple light of this message: there is a God.
    APPLICATION MOMENT
    When we look up at the stars, down at the flowers, around at the beauty, does it remind us that we are seen and fully known by the God who created those things?
    Second to that, do we look up, out, and around? Do we take time to marvel in God’s beauty?
    Some are more given to enjoy nature than others - myself, get in trouble driving and looking around, but I would reccomend to you - Take a walk, take a hike, drive to chittenden dam or to your favorite vista somewhere - pause for a few minutes, and reflect on all that declares the power and wonder of God.
    So the big open book of nature leaves us in awe and wonder, but does it leave us hungry? If it does, then what comes next is there to fill our hunger.

    2. The Bible Declares - vs. 7-11

    The poem turns from the big open book of nature, to the specific book of God’s Word.
    How do we describe the Bible?
    66 books, Old and New testaments
    Inspired - that is, God-breathed. They are his words, through the mouths and pens of men
    Infallible - without error and no expiration date
    Authoritative - not a book of helpful literature, not a book of useful analogies, but God’s very word to those who will listen.
    We find here one of the most beautiful descriptions of the Word of God, because with each turn of phrase we get a different name for God’s word, a different adjective or description, and also a word about what it does in our life.
    Psalm 19:7–9 ESV
    The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple; the precepts 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 forever; the rules of the Lord are true, and righteous altogether.
    Noun, Adjective, Verb. Lets look at all these individually, and then we can say a few things about them collectively.
    Noun = title or name. They are all referring to God’s Word in general, so the differences are somewhat poetic - but they are also bringing out different aspects of God’s revealed word.
    Aspects, Adjectives, Actions
    Psalm 19:7 ESV
    The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple;
    Law = Torah, most general term. Can be a single statute, the ten commandments, all the books of Moses, or God’s instruction more broadly. Remember, at this time the books of Moses was the only “Scripture” that they had. Now, we have 66 books in the Old and New. We are right to read the Psalm backwards and think of all of God’s Word in this way. The Law is much more than just what not to do. It is the revelation of God’s desire, including his desire to forgive, redeem, and restore.
    Law, Perfect, reviving the soul.
    Testimony = Covenant - promises. They are sure - reliable, and the source of wisdom for the simple and unlearned. A sure source, that doesn’t have to be used on a trial basis against other sources.
    Psalm 19:8 ESV
    the precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes;
    Precepts = statutes. The plans of God. Often used for kingly appointments. We can see this as his providence, but it is shown here as his word to be revered and obeyed. In other words, when God lays something out clearly to us in His Word, it is not arbitrary or one-size-fits-all - it is exactly right, morally and with precision. And that is cause to rejoice the heart. That the Lord of all the universe cares about the affairs of your life. The events and the details.
    Commandment = all the commandments and provisions in the Bible are pure. None of them are with selfish or deceptive motives. We can see that in Jesus, because we are told that all of the commandments boil down to love. If another sovereign commands, it is often for the benefit and interestof a profit or earthly gain. But God’s commandments are pure, and that causes enlightenment. Spiritual enlightenment for life.
    Psalm 19:9 ESV
    the fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; the rules of the Lord are true, and righteous altogether.
    Fear = somewhat out of pattern. What is employed here is a poetic device called metonymy. Where the affect of a thing is used as a title for it. God’s word, rightly seen, does cause us to fear him - but it is a fear that is clean and enduring. A reverential awe.
    Rules = decisions, judgments. The purpose of a legal judgment is to get to the truth, and we can be assured that all God’s word gets right to the truth. Therefore, they are righteous. Not snide, not backhanded, not sneaky, not shady, but righteous.
    Now, lets notice some things about them collectively.
    First, notice the positive and exuberant nature of the descriptions. Put simply, God’s revelation to us is something we want! That is furthered in verses 10-11
    Psalm 19:10–11 ESV
    More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb. Moreover, by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward.
    Second, notice how that each one is said to be doing something - that the Word of God has practical work in our lives. That helps us, because when we get together to listen to a sermon or to study the Bible together, we aren’t doing it as if we are archaeologists simply mining up relics of the past to oo and awe over. We are not digging up beautiful delicate museum pieces to be relished but never touched. No, God’s word is meant to be rigorously applied in our lives. And it can stand up to the rigors of life.
    It is that principle, like we find in James, of being hearers and doers of the Word. This is critical in the life and heart of God’s people. We sing and say that we want and Love God’s word, but we also love to apply it, to live it out, to see it unfold in our lives. They go hand in hand. The very reason we love it, and the way we learn to love it more, is to live it out and see it lived out.
    These descriptions, then, are both promises and challenges. Promises, because God’s word does make wise the simple, it does rejoice our hearts, it does enlighten our eyes, it does revive the soul. And loving it requires that we understand more an more, that we are the simple who need making wise - we are the blind who need eyes opened - we are the mourners who need rejoicing - we are the weary who need reviving. We love God’s Word because we love what God does through his word.
    Finally, notice the personal nature. Maybe it goes without saying, but each line repeats this key signature - “Of the LORD” - that is, of YahWeh.
    That is God’s covenant name. Notice how in the beginning of the Psalm, we simply have the word “God.”
    That is the general word “El” - here it is obviously used for the one true God, the creator and sovereign like we find right from Genesis 1. But it is the most general term. The picture is this. Creation can tell us that there is a higher power, a supreme being, an omnipotent Creator. But creation cannot tell us anything about His person. It can’t tell us much about his Character. Creation cannot tell us His name.
    But the Lord has desired to be much more to his people than just a lofty and supreme creator, more than just an omnipotent sovereign - He is never any less than those things, but he wants us also to know Him as a personal creator, a personal sovereign, a personal Lord and God.
    This idea is probably no more clear and fulfilled than when the New Testament tells us that the pinnacle of God’s revelation is that of His Son, Jesus.
    John 1:1 ESV
    In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
    John 1:14 ESV
    And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.
    Hebrews 1:1–2 ESV
    Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world.
    Yes, the Word of God incarnate, Jesus Christ, bears the praise that is spelled out in this Psalm. Jesus came, after all, to fulfill that Law that Moses was given. In a sense we can say, then, Jesus is perfect - reviving the soul. Jesus is sure, making wise the simple. Jesus is right, rejoicing the heart. Jesus is pure, enlightening the eyes. Jesus is clean, enduring forever. Jesus is true and righteous altogether.
    More to be desired is He than gold, even much fine gold. He is sweeter than honey and drippings from the honeycomb.
    By Jesus we are warned, but in following him - in Him, there is great reward.
    John 6:68 ESV
    Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life,
    APPLICATION MOMENT
    Does it amaze you that God has spoken to us, verbally - written as it were a letter of his goodness and love. We are told that in the scriptures we have all that we need for life and godliness. Just as we should look around and not ignore the wonders and glory of God, so we should not ignore his word. We are privileged with immense and easy access to the Bible - more than any other people at any other time.

    3. Our Hearts Declare - vs. 12-14

    Revelation, both general and special, cause us to want to know God more. To be closer to him. They cause us to want him, and his ways.
    General revelation tells us that there is a great creator. Special revelation tells us that he is personal, involved, and our relationship with him (or lack therof) is critical.
    Verse 12 starts with a problem - we have faults.
    Psalm 19:12 ESV
    Who can discern his errors? Declare me innocent from hidden faults.
    Literally, “Errors, who can discern their own errors?” In other words, we are prone to blindness to our own shortcomings.
    hidden faults - not that they are too small to be seen, but that they are so ingrained and characteristic that we miss them.
    Further, verse 13 goes a step deeper.
    Psalm 19:13 ESV
    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.
    presumptuous sings are “high handed sins.” In other words, it is the kind of fault in which we know fully well what we are doing wrong, and do it anyway because we want to fulfill the desire of our own flesh. David says, “God, your word warns me against this, and draws my desire to obey you. Please keep me from having a high handed attitude toward you.”
    presumption is equal in this sense to pride. To own up to that tendency and to ask for divine intervention is just the opposite - humility. That is what God’s revelation ultimately does. When we take God at his word and see Him as He is, he humbles us. And humility before him is the place of blessing.
    That is the grace of revelation - when we see God, we see us. We are made in his image, so in ways we reflect parts of his nature and character, like we saw last week in Psalm 8. But he also reflects back to us and in the looking glass of his holiness and righteousness our failures and our rebellious hearts are made clear to us. So when we see God, for His people, it makes us want to be more like him - pure, righteous, clean, true.
    Is that how you see God’s word? Is that how you see all creation? As a reminder and a call to draw near to God, to live in his ways and fulfill his designs?
    Psalm 19:14 ESV
    Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.
    And so the Psalm ends with a prayer. The psalm has been all about words.
    The “words” of nature which sing a silent song of their Omnipotent Creator. The written words of scripture which tell us of his will and his ways and his works in our lives. And finally, the words of our mouths and the meditations of our heart.
    They are a response. The right response to the most amazing gift we could have ever received - God revealing himself to us.
    How can we apply this?
    One, back to our marriage counseling couple. Communication starts with good listening. Put simply - God speaks to us. Are you listening to him?
    Listening is more than just open ears, it is also eager attention. We want to hear from God. A desire for God’s word is a desire for God himself. Not some technical interest, but a familial and relational interest.
    We don’t want to worship the Bible - a book with a leather or hardback cover and beautiful gold pages. But we do want to rejoice that it is God’s gift to us, and when it speaks, God speaks. It is true and good because God is true and good.
    We tend to make a big deal about the Word of God here at our church, and we do so because God’s Word is life. But we do not want to make it an academic pursuit, or have it be disconnected from life. God’s word works with God’s power to accomplish great things. From saving a soul, to redirecting lives that would otherwise end in disaster, to guiding relationships and families and homes, to ordering our desires and affections. God’s Word points us back to God.
    And that is just where Psalm 19 ends. Pointing us back to our God, our Rock and our Redeemer.
    Because we will fail and fall. We will inadvertently fail with hidden faults, and at times we will be lifted up in pride and go directly against God.
    What if he had not spoken? We would not know of him. What if he had not revealed himself, through nature, through His Word, and ultimately Through His Son? We would not know of his forgiveness, of his redemption, of his Gospel. We would be just as broken, but without any hope of repair. But at the end of the day, because He has spoken, those who trust in the Lord have a sure and steady Rock. That God redeems and saves and forgives is the pinnacle of our experience of his revelation, and his forgiveness, like his Word, grow sweeter to us the closer we grow to Him.

      • 1 Timothy 6:16NIV2011

      • Job 11:7–9NIV2011

      • Isaiah 40:22NIV2011

      • Romans 1:18NIV2011

      • Romans 1:19NIV2011

      • Romans 1:20NIV2011

      • Psalm 19:7–9NIV2011

      • Psalm 19:7NIV2011

      • Psalm 19:8NIV2011

      • Psalm 19:9NIV2011

      • Psalm 19:10–11NIV2011

      • John 1:1NIV2011

      • John 1:14NIV2011

      • Hebrews 1:1–2NIV2011

      • John 6:68NIV2011

      • Psalm 19:12NIV2011

      • Psalm 19:13NIV2011

      • Psalm 19:14NIV2011

  • Hallelujah What A Savior

      • 2 Corinthians 3.18ESV

Ira Baptist Church
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