Slices
Prepare
What’s the best piece of advice you have ever been given? Not a tip or a trick or a life hack, but something that has made a real difference?
Bible passage
For the director of music. A psalm of David.
1 The heavens declare the glory of God;
the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
2 Day after day they pour forth speech;
night after night they reveal knowledge.
3 They have no speech, they use no words;
no sound is heard from them.
4 Yet their voice goes out into all the earth,
their words to the ends of the world.
In the heavens God has pitched a tent for the sun.
5 It is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber,
like a champion rejoicing to run his course.
6 It rises at one end of the heavens
and makes its circuit to the other;
nothing is deprived of its warmth.
7 The law of the Lord is perfect,
refreshing the soul.
The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy,
making wise the simple.
8 The precepts of the Lord are right,
giving joy to the heart.
The commands of the Lord are radiant,
giving light to the eyes.
9 The fear of the Lord is pure,
enduring for ever.
The decrees of the Lord are firm,
and all of them are righteous.
10 They are more precious than gold,
than much pure gold;
they are sweeter than honey,
than honey from the honeycomb.
11 By them your servant is warned;
in keeping them there is great reward.
12 But who can discern their own errors?
Forgive my hidden faults.
13 Keep your servant also from wilful sins;
may they not rule over me.
Then I will be blameless,
innocent of great transgression.
14 May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart
be pleasing in your sight,
Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.
Explore
Theology often splits the way God reveals himself into two parts: ‘general’ revelation and ‘special’ revelation. This psalm captures both of them.
Verses 1–6 describe ‘general’ revelation. These are the things about God that anyone can discover, from creation or within themselves. David talks about how the wonder of creation declares God’s glory, from the majesty of the stars (v 1) to the warmth of the sun (v 6). There are exceptions, but throughout history most people have looked up at the sky and thought, ‘That’s amazing. It can’t be there by accident.’ That’s general revelation.
The thing is, God is much more than a powerful being who made some balls of gas. That’s where verses 7–11 and ‘special’ revelation come in. This teaches us not only about God’s power but his character. The sun doesn’t teach us that God is holy, or what it means to live as his holy people – but the Bible does. This is why we need both, and it is behind the mission of God’s people. Everyone can see the glory of God in creation, but to know who he is – that, people have to be told.
Respond
Read verses 12–14 and use them to guide your prayers in response to what God reveals about himself, in creation and through the Bible. Give thanks to God for his revelation, general and special.
Bible in a year
Read the Bible in a year: 2 Corinthians 11; Revelation 21
Pray for Scripture Union
Pray for the Regional Workers of SU Scotland as they set up Local Ministry Hubs for each of the high schools and primary schools across Scotland, gathering local Christians to pray for schools and explore ways in which they can serve them.
