December 10
Bible Reading: Psalm 19
While stationed as a submariner in Pearl Harbor, I received a gift in the mail: a book titled Knowing God by J. I. Packer. My Uncle Bob Emrich sent it, along with a note that read: “Jerry…Believing the most important thing about a man is his thinking about God, I hope this will be profitable for you. With love and prayers for a Merry Christmas, Bob.” The book was indeed beneficial, but it was the note that truly impacted me—it introduced an important thought that God used to change me.
Uncle Bob’s statement was correct—but how are we to know God? At that time, I knew little about God. I did not know how to grow in my understanding of His nature. Theologians speak of God’s revelation to mankind in two categories: general revelation and special revelation. Psalm 19, which we read today, highlights both.
In Psalm 19:1-6, we see how God communicates truths about Himself through His creation. David, the Psalmist, observes the stars, moon, and sun, and declares, “the heavens declare the glory of God” (19:1). While these created things don’t speak literally, their “voice” is heard throughout the earth (19:4). The Apostle Paul echoes this idea, writing that we can see “God’s invisible attributes, namely His eternal power and divine nature,” in His creation (Romans 1:20). As powerful as general revelation is, it’s not sufficient on its own to bring a person into a saving knowledge of God through Jesus.
Psalm 19:7-11 shifts focus to special revelation, which is God’s direct manifestation of Himself through His Word. David makes six bold statements about the value of God’s Word, emphasizing its ability to revive the soul, make the simple wise, rejoice the heart, and enlighten the eyes. Through the gospel message, the Word leads us to salvation. Once born of the Spirit, we are indwelt to understand truths that were once beyond us (1 Corinthians 2:12-16).
As believers in Christ, how privileged we are! We have ready access to the Scriptures and are indwelt by the Divine Teacher (1 John 2:27). In the pursuit of knowing God, we have an inexhaustible source of study that can transform our thinking and, in turn, our lives—to the glory of God!
“What were we made for? To know God. What aim should we have in life? To know God. What is the eternal life that Jesus gives? To know God. What is the best thing in life? To know God. What in humans gives God most pleasure? Knowledge of himself.”—J. I. Packer
O WORSHIP THE KING
O worship the King, all glorious above,
O gratefully sing God’s power and God’s love;
our Shield and Defender, the Ancient of Days,
pavilioned in splendor, and girded with praise.
O tell of God’s might, O sing of God’s grace,
whose robe is the light, whose canopy space,
whose chariots of wrath the deep thunderclouds form,
and dark is God’s path on the wings of the storm.
Thy bountiful care, what tongue can recite?
It breathes in the air, it shines in the light;
it streams from the hills, it descends to the plain,
and sweetly distills in the dew and the rain.
Frail children of dust, and feeble as frail,
in thee do we trust, nor find thee to fail;
thy mercies how tender, how firm to the end,
our Maker, Defender, Redeemer, and Friend.
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