In today’s world, we are bombarded with messages, events, notifications, pings, texts and ads. As ‘The Social Dilemma’ documentary on Netflix highlights, our modern technology is set up to win our attention. The voice of the outside world shouts at us through the newest app or fad bidding us to join in the chorus.
In the midst of such a cacophony, how do we hear the voice of God?
Psalm 19 is a song about the revelation of God. It’s about how he has set the world up, and his work in it, to call out to us, and invite us toward him.
We see in Psalm 19 that the universe is yelling out to us about the glory of God all day and night. “The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork” says verse 1. When we look up to the stars we’re hearing the invitation of God to search out the One who placed them there.
The song goes on and drills down to earth. On a mountain God gave Moses his law. A very specific and special revelation of himself to his people. The law and commandments point us to the character and worth of the Creator. These rules are revealed to us so that in our search for who this God is, we find one who is so perfectly holy and good that we want to know him all the more. “The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul,” verse 7 tells us.
But as we trace the voice of God to the very character and essence of God himself, it’s there we see the danger in having ears to hear. This is perhaps the reason many of us cover our ears to the voice and revelation of God in his world and in his word. It exposes us. Like the light of one of those stars he created to declare his glory, so too the glory of God’s moral perfection spotlights our blemishes, and highlights where we fall short.
God’s voice is unrelenting. He hunts us down every day and night, bidding us to pick up the search for him. He speaks freely and fervently in his commandments about the kind of people those close to him should be. On the one hand this is attractive and refreshing, yet at the same time it’s unnerving to think of what we might have to let go of to fully taste of its fruit in our lives.
So we are left with a plea.
“Declare me innocent from hidden faults.” (v12)
“Keep back your servant from presumptuous sins;” (v13)
“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.” (v14)
God’s revelation chases us down until we can only confess something ourselves: that we are small, sinful and in desperate need of God’s mercy.
Enter Jesus.
Jesus can be for us that rock. Strength and steadfastness embodied for our comfort and our peace.
Jesus can be for us that redeemer. Sinless life, sacrificial death, saving redemption.
So can you hear God’s voice today? Are your ears in tune to what he’s saying to you?
He’s inviting you to come to him and place your trust in his Son, Jesus.
Nick Coombs
Nick is the Lead Pastor of City on a Hill Melbourne East. He loves Jesus, is passionate about connecting deep theology with everyday life, and eager to make a difference in the time he has by helping plant as many churches as possible. After Jesus, Nick loves his wife Jules, and his two kids, Axel and Aria. He holds an MDiv from Ridley College, is an ordained Anglican minister and gives too much of his time to fantasy sports.