Week 28: Psalm 19

Psalm 19

I recently went on my first flight since January 2019. I'd forgotten how humbling it is to be on an airplane, having zero control over your surroundings or circumstances. As I peered in wonder out of the tiny window of the plane, I found myself completely awestruck by the vastness of the sky. That two hour flight felt like an oasis—an escape from the realities of the suffering occurring below us. There was no access to news, social media, or the constant stream of information that bombards every second of my day to day life. 

I decided to lean into the rest. I exhaled, released the tension in my shoulders, and allowed the journey through the clouds to remind me of God's power and sovereignty.

“The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork” (Psalm 19:1). 

Maybe you've mastered looking to God in all circumstances, but I'll be the first to confess that as I go about my daily routine, it's easy for me to forget to look up. I look down at the needy children, whining and tugging at my legs and the crumbs on the floor that need to be swept. I see the messes throughout the house and all of the things that seem undone. Looking down and around leaves me feeling depleted, insufficient and overwhelmed. But when I take a moment to look up, I notice a shift. 

 

When I watch the tall pines in our backyard sway and reach for the sky like they're worshiping, God's glory is declared.

When I notice the birds offering a melody to heaven, God's glory is declared.

When I observe storm clouds rolling in, God's glory is declared.

When an unexpected rainbow appears after the storm, God's glory is declared.

When I look to the sun's rays for warmth and comfort, God's glory is declared.

These moments of looking up remind me that God is God and I am not. They remind me that His thoughts and ways are higher than mine. They remind me that every object in creation points to eternity. Most of all, they remind me that God's ways and character are perfect. 

Psalm 19 is beautiful confirmation of these truths. 

This psalm describes God's ways as perfect, sure, right, pure, clean and true. 

Is there any person or thing on this earth that can be described with these words in all circumstances? I haven't found one yet.

If these are the undefiled gifts that God has to offer, why do we ever long for anything else?

Why do we choose lust over His law, focus on our trials over His testimonies, our plans over His precepts, and fear of man over fear of Him? 

Join me in allowing God to search your heart through the words of this psalm. My prayer is that by the end of the week, we will treasure Him more as the sweetness of His promises linger. 

-Simone