Scripture
Psalm 19:1-16 (ESV)
1 The heavens declare the glory of God,
and the sky above[a] proclaims his handiwork.
2 Day to day pours out speech,
and night to night reveals knowledge.
3 There is no speech, nor are there words,
whose voice is not heard.
4 Their voice[b] goes out through all the earth,
and their words to the end of the world.
In them he has set a tent for the sun,
5 which comes out like a bridegroom leaving his chamber,
and, like a strong man, runs its course with joy.
6 Its rising is from the end of the heavens,
and its circuit to the end of them,
and there is nothing hidden from its heat.
7 The law of the Lord is perfect,[c]
reviving 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 rules[d] of the Lord are true,
and righteous altogether.
10 More to be desired are they than gold,
even much fine gold;
sweeter also than honey
and drippings of the honeycomb.
11 Moreover, by them is your servant warned;
in keeping them there is great reward.
12 Who can discern his errors?
Declare me innocent from hidden faults.
13 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.
14 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 the sky above[a] proclaims his handiwork.
2 Day to day pours out speech,
and night to night reveals knowledge.
3 There is no speech, nor are there words,
whose voice is not heard.
4 Their voice[b] goes out through all the earth,
and their words to the end of the world.
In them he has set a tent for the sun,
5 which comes out like a bridegroom leaving his chamber,
and, like a strong man, runs its course with joy.
6 Its rising is from the end of the heavens,
and its circuit to the end of them,
and there is nothing hidden from its heat.
7 The law of the Lord is perfect,[c]
reviving 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 rules[d] of the Lord are true,
and righteous altogether.
10 More to be desired are they than gold,
even much fine gold;
sweeter also than honey
and drippings of the honeycomb.
11 Moreover, by them is your servant warned;
in keeping them there is great reward.
12 Who can discern his errors?
Declare me innocent from hidden faults.
13 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.
14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
be acceptable in your sight,
O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.
Devotional #67: Soli Deo Gloria - "Creation"
Every work of creation, providence, and salvation has been accomplished by God for His glory alone! Psalm 19 teaches us that creation “declares the glory of God!” When we gaze at a beautiful sunrise or the majestic peaks of a grand mountain range, we behold the work of our Creator!
But with the Fall, creation too has been subject to man’s sin (Genesis 3:17). By God’s restraining grace we can parse out creation’s original beauty, but the marks of sin are undeniable--disease, famine, and death. Creation cries out for its restoration! “For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God” (Romans 8:19). Once all those who are saved are revealed, Christ will return and creation will not simply be restored to its original beauty, but its beauty will be magnified!
So, creation cries out to the Lord, in its original beauty, in its longing to be restored, and in its eventual glorified state. All of this, to the glory of God!
But with the Fall, creation too has been subject to man’s sin (Genesis 3:17). By God’s restraining grace we can parse out creation’s original beauty, but the marks of sin are undeniable--disease, famine, and death. Creation cries out for its restoration! “For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God” (Romans 8:19). Once all those who are saved are revealed, Christ will return and creation will not simply be restored to its original beauty, but its beauty will be magnified!
So, creation cries out to the Lord, in its original beauty, in its longing to be restored, and in its eventual glorified state. All of this, to the glory of God!
Questions
- How has God shown his glory to you through creation?
- How has the brokenness of creation shown you the need for God?
Scripture
Matthew 5:45 (ESV)
45 so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.
Devotional #68: Soli Deo Gloria - "Providence"
Q. What are God’s works of providence? A. God’s works of providence are, his most holy, wise, and powerful preserving and governing of all his creatures and all their actions. The Westminster Shorter Catechism (QA11) reminds us of God’s activity today. God is not a dispassionate observer but is active in the affairs of nature and man. As we wait for the return of Jesus, God is “preserving” all of creation until all those who would be saved will be revealed. God’s salvific grace began in Genesis 3, when He chose not to simply destroy Adam, Eve and all of creation by their disobedience. Instead, creation today is in a state of judgment being upheld by God grace and mercy.
God’s glory is shown forth when we recognize (1) God’s common grace to all. He allows the rain and the sun to shine on all. He gives and upholds all life. (2) The world is not as bad as it could be. We may think we have seen the worst of evils in human history, but the truth is that God restrains evil. The only reason we have not destroyed ourselves is because of God’s mercy. (3) Providence provides the backdrop for salvation. The gospel is not preached in a vacuum but is understood in light of creation and God’s governance. Our fallen world and our sinful selves are upheld by God. The gospel alone can full repair us.
God’s glory is shown forth when we recognize (1) God’s common grace to all. He allows the rain and the sun to shine on all. He gives and upholds all life. (2) The world is not as bad as it could be. We may think we have seen the worst of evils in human history, but the truth is that God restrains evil. The only reason we have not destroyed ourselves is because of God’s mercy. (3) Providence provides the backdrop for salvation. The gospel is not preached in a vacuum but is understood in light of creation and God’s governance. Our fallen world and our sinful selves are upheld by God. The gospel alone can full repair us.
Questions
- How does providence declare God’s glory?
- I am always amazed at how human institutions (governments, schools, businesses) work, knowing the corruption of humanity. The only explanation is God’s providence. Can you give any examples from your own life or observations?
Scripture
Romans 11:28-36 (ESV)
28 As regards the gospel, they are enemies for your sake. But as regards election, they are beloved for the sake of their forefathers. 29 For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. 30 For just as you were at one time disobedient to God but now have received mercy because of their disobedience, 31 so they too have now been disobedient in order that by the mercy shown to you they also may now[a] receive mercy. 32 For God has consigned all to disobedience, that he may have mercy on all.
33 Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!
34 “For who has known the mind of the Lord,
or who has been his counselor?”
35 “Or who has given a gift to him
that he might be repaid?”
36 For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.
33 Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!
34 “For who has known the mind of the Lord,
or who has been his counselor?”
35 “Or who has given a gift to him
that he might be repaid?”
36 For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.
Devotional #69: Soli Deo Gloria - "Salvation"
Soli Deo Gloria is the capstone of the five solas. Who gets the credit for our salvation? Who gets the glory? God alone is the author of our salvation from the beginning to end. He chose us from before the foundation of the world (Ephesians 1:4). He sustains us through our time on earth (Philippians 1:6 and He will finish this work when Christ returns. May we give God all the glory in all things!
Our delight in life comes from glorifying God! Not by treasures accumulated on earth nor by our false sense of spiritual accomplishments. Seeing God’s fame and name grow before our very eyes is the joy of every Christian. SDG.
Our delight in life comes from glorifying God! Not by treasures accumulated on earth nor by our false sense of spiritual accomplishments. Seeing God’s fame and name grow before our very eyes is the joy of every Christian. SDG.
Questions
- Why do we often want credit for our salvation?
- How does glorifying God give us Christian joy?