We hear excuses all the time. The courtrooms are filled with excuses as to why the criminal is there, and how it isn’t their fault. Schools hear excuses as to why the homework isn’t completed, and the same with families when chores or other tasks don’t get done. Many times those excuses are very lame, and the parent or spouse, teacher, or judge can’t accept them. There is a time coming when many people are going to be giving all sorts of excuses to God, but not one will stand. Our psalm for this week highlights one major reason why this is so.
We sometimes hear the excuse that there are some people who can’t or shouldn’t be held accountable for not believing in God, as they “never heard”, that they never had a Bible available, a solid preacher to bring the Gospel message to them, etc. That argument, though, doesn’t hold any water. Paul destroys that in the early verses of his Epistle to the Romans, stating that nature declares the glory of God (Romans 1:20-23). King David stated this truth several centuries earlier in Psalm 19.
This psalm has three very distinct sections. Verses 1-6 comprise the first section, verses 7-11 the second, and verses 12-14 make up the third. In the first section we see that God discloses Himself in the world through nature. As He reveals Himself through nature, we learn about God’s power and our finiteness. Next, we see that God discloses Himself through His Word, the Bible. As He reveals Himself through Scripture, we learn about God’s holiness and our sinfulness. Finally, at the close of the psalm we see that God reveals Himself through our daily experiences. We learn about His gracious forgiveness and our need for salvation.
There is no excuse for man not to believe in God. The heavens are God’s preachers in the sky, and they proclaim, both day and night, the truth that He exists (vs. 1-6). They speak a universal language that all can understand, and the message of the created world extends to everywhere on earth. The universe’s design, intricacy, and orderliness all point to a personally involved Creator.
Neither the sun, the planets, or the stars are shown in the psalm to be deified, as is done in most pagan religions. God is clearly seen here as Creator and Ruler over all of creation. The testimony of the universe comes forth consistently and clearly, but sinful mankind persistently resists it. Nature proclaims God’s existence and power. Even though such knowledge does not bring one salvation, acknowledging God as Creator is a first step. However, the message of God’s salvation found in His Word must still be told.
This brings us to the second part of Psalm 19. God’s special revelation is found in His Word, the Bible (vs. 7-11). The Bible revives us, and makes us wise. It gives joy to the heart, and gives light to the eyes. The Scriptures warn us, and also rewards us. In its verses are guidelines and light for our path. God’s Word is perfect, and is of greater value than any amount of riches. Today, in the 21st century, the Bible is readily available to everyone. The whole Bible has been translated into 736 languages, and the New Testament into 1,658 languages, and other portions of Scripture into another 1,264 languages. Everyone on earth would have to be fluent in at least one of those languages. The Bible is available in printed form, of course, and is also readily accessed online, so nobody has an excuse.
David closes his psalm by praying that sin will not gain dominion over him (vs. 12-14). We understand our errors by going to God’s Word. David encourages us to pray that we be kept from both hidden sins and willful sins, and that what we say and think be acceptable and pleasing to God.
As the Apostle Paul reiterated, mankind is without excuse. No one can stand before God and say that they just didn’t know. Nature, which is available for all to see, proclaims Him. And God’s Word, the Bible, is available in many multiple hundreds of languages, of which everyone would be able to understand at least one of them. Those who are lost, are lost because of their own choice. They don’t know or acknowledge God because they choose not to. They have closed their eyes and ears to Him. They are without excuse. I pray that is not the case with you. If you don’t know the Lord Jesus as Savior, turn to Him now, before it is too late, for now is the day of salvation.
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