No Words

Like God’s Words

Psalm 19

Thursday, July 7, 2022

Have you ever heard the phrase, “There are no words?”  Perhaps you used it in response to receiving a wonderful gift, when you couldn’t find the appropriate words to express your appreciation.  Conversely, maybe something tragic has happened, your heart is broken, and “there are no words” to express the magnitude of your grief. 

In verses 1-6 of Psalm 19, God reveals Himself in the glorious heavens and celestial bodies.  God’s greatness is proclaimed without a single sound—“NO WORDS.”  The amazing beauty of the skies—unique cloud formations, streaming sun escaping the clouds, indescribable sunrises and sunsets, breathtaking rainbows—boldly declare the majesty of God each day.  Searching for God?  Go outside and look up.  “There are no words.”

BUT, if you NEED words to find God, the second part of Psalm 19 is your answer.  In Psalm 19, God reveals Himself first in nature, (verses 1-6) and then in the Scriptures.  Verses 7-11 give us a perfect progression of what God’s Word, HIS WORDS, can do in our lives. 

“The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul.”  (7a) God’s Word gives us everything necessary for salvation.  His law, his commandments, revealed God’s holiness and our sin.  Paul wrote in Romans 10:4, “For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.”

“The testimony of the law is sure, (steadfast, trustworthy), making wise the simple.” (7b)  We can put our trust in God’s testimony—it will hold us up.  The “simple” are those open-minded to instruction.  James 1:5 says, “If any of you lacks wisdom let him ask of God, who gives to all men generously, and without reproach, and it will be given him.” 

“The statutes (precepts) of the law are right, rejoicing the heart.”  (8a) God’s Word is just and righteous.  As we understand more and grow in wisdom of God through His Word, it brings joy and gratitude.  Consider Hezekiah, king of Judah, who honored God by repairing the house of the Lord and called the people to consecrate themselves and gather to worship.  Greater understanding produced tremendous joy in the people.  II Chronicles 30: 21, 23 says, “The sons of Israel present in Jerusalem celebrated the Feast of Unleavened Bread for seven days with great joy, and the Levites and the priests were praising the Lord day after day with loud instruments to the Lord.  Then the whole assembly decided to celebrate the feast another seven days, so they celebrated the seven days with joy.”

“The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes.”  (8b) Purity of God’s Word gives us new vision for this life and the one to come.  Matt. 5:8 says, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.”  And consider Ephesians 5:8, “for you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord; walk as children of light.” 

“The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever.” (9a) Why is the Word of God called “the fear of the Lord?”  When God reveals His will, it is awesome!  God’s will is fearsome because of our sin, and when we are confronted with it, we realize how unrighteous we are. 

Consider Josiah, the boy who became king of Judah when he was eight years old.  Though II Kings tells us he did right in the sight of the Lord, when he was 26, a high priest found a book of the law in the house of the Lord and a scribe read it in the presence of the King.  “When the king heard the words of the Book of the Law, he tore his clothes.”  II Kings 22:11.   

Josiah realized that his people were not following God’s laws, and idol worship had crept into the land.  Josiah instituted reforms that destroyed the idols.  “Before him there was no king like him who turned to the Lord with all his heart, all his soul, and all his might, in conformity to all the Law of Moses; nor did any like him arise after him.”  II Kings 23:25

“The judgments of the Lord are true; they are righteous altogether. (9b) We can depend on God’s judgments.  They are true, trustworthy, and righteous, as Josiah discovered, as we can discover in John 3:16. “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life.”  Our future is secure, eternal life, because the judgments of the Lord are true. 

Have you FOUND God as you meditate on His Word?  Have you FOUND God as you gaze at the heavens?  He is in plain view, accessible, desiring to be part of our lives, each and every day.  No AUDIBLE WORDS are needed.  But if you would like to respond to His glorious presence in the skies and in His Word, speak out loud the last verse of Psalm 19, as your humble prayer.

“May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart
    be pleasing in your sight,
    Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.”  Psalm 19:14

-Paula Kirkpatrick

Questions for Reflection and Application

1.  What part of God’s creation moves you to say, “There are no words?” 
2. Think about Josiah.  The Bible tells us he did right in the sight of the Lord at a very young age, and yet at age 26, he realized how much he and his people needed to improve.  Does Josiah’s story help you realize how much we need to keep growing and learning from the Lord?  (It helps me realize it.)