A Great Word

The 19th Psalm is one of those which could easily be used for several days of meditation.  It soars heavenward in its earlier verses and takes us down to earth as it moves on toward the end.  As it talks about the heavens telling about the glory of God, verses three and four give us powerful images of how it is done.  "There is no speech, nor are there words; their voice is not heard; yet their voice goes out through all the earth..."  All of us have at times felt completely unable to articulate with words our own experience of God, His glory, and majesty and, perhaps, in those moments of praise which transcend our speaking, the best praise is offered.  If such is true, then we join with creation in a powerful silent offering of praise to God.

 

And, as we move deeper into the verses of the Psalm, we come to those verses beginning with verse 7 which speak not of the power of creation, but the power of the Word of God which is given for our day to day living.  This Word God speaks to us, "revives the soul, makes wise the simple, brings joy to the heart, offers inner enlightenment, and endures forever."  It is easy to see how these Words could be useful in guiding us as we pray the Psalm.  Praying for these fruits produced by the Word of the Lord would be time well spent for all of us.

 

Finally, there at the end is that Word we have heard spoken many times by preachers and teachers who have dared to lead others into a time of hearing and understanding the Word of God.  "Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to You, O Lord, my rock and my salvation."  It is indeed an appropriate prayer for any preacher and any one who sits in the pew as they wait for their preacher to speak.  Pray that the words which come from the pulpit are acceptable not to those who sit in pews, but to God.  If they are acceptable to God, then there should be no problems for us.