April 19, 2021 -- Psalm 19:13 -- How will these wonders affect you?

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.

Psalm 19:13 English Standard Version

Over the last 11 verses the psalmist celebrated two soul-anchoring truths. First the heavens declare the glory of God. Beautiful. Second he noted the Word of the LORD is perfect. It is the interpreter of creation’s glory. The Word is the instructor of the humble one ready to receive it. And the rules of the LORD are more precious than gold and sweeter than the drippings of honey.

When the two stanzas of God’s revelation (generation revelation: creation and special revelation the Bible) are placed side by side, then the humbled servant of the LORD will cry out—restrain me from willful or arrogant sins! The beauty of all You have in store for the believer is greater than the cravings that are seeking to dominate me. This is why the Psalm pivots at verse 12—the renown of the LORD and splendor of His perfections cause the believer to examine his ways and his attitude and his heart, from which these actions and attitudes flow.

Perhaps this is not your experience. Perhaps in your pride you think, pfft, these sins, I can conquer them any time I want to. I just don’t want to right now. Hmm. Go back over this Psalm. Read it aloud. Look at the fame of God the Creator which the heavens and skies constantly declare. Listen to the ways in which the Word of God reveal your heart and test your actions and repent. If you are not moved in the same way as the Psalmist here is my advice. Pray urgently for the LORD’s restoration so that sins which are small on the surface of your life, but deep-rooted in your mind and heart will be plucked out and conquered before they dominate you to your ruin.

King Jesus, blessed are You. The pinnacle of creation—the Son of God perfect in obedience. Humble before God our Father and yet by the Spirit’s presence powerful in knowledge and the fear of the LORD, in wisdom and understanding, in counsel and might. By Your Spirit’s presence in us, direct us into the holy and happy living You so clearly lived. May wonder fill us. Wonder at the marvels and intricacies of creation and wonder before the LORD God Who made them all.

Here is the suggestion for a song of response made by Owen, my son-in-law. Good choice!

https://youtu.be/5IlVfkY5q54