Friday, March 7

Heart Meditations

Friday, March 7

 

Psalm 19:14 : Meditation of My Heart

Psalm 19 is a favorite of many. It begins with images of walking outside in the early morning darkness, contemplating the stars, and gradually watching one star – the closest star – our sun, emerge from its hidden chamber on the back side of the earth.   Suddenly, with mesmerizing strength, its light eclipses the darkness. Light is, indeed, more potent than darkness!

But after this contemplation of creation, the Psalmist abruptly changes his perspective.

David, the shepherd who observed many sunrises, now focuses upon God’s Law. It is “blameless.” (v. 7) Ouch!

 Luther would say, “The Law always accuses.” And, apparently, we are not going to find any problems in its accusations. It remains “blameless!”

But David sees a goodness in the “Law.” (He used a variant of the word “Torah,” which usually described the first five books of the Bible, including Genesis… where everything began, in darkness (Gn. 1:2).)

Just as the Holy Spirit was hovering over the dark waters of Genesis 1, we know a more powerful light of creation is about to emerge.

Within the Torah (the five books of Moses), we find something bigger and better than the very good Law or commands of God. There is a dawning grace. There is a God of Light Who creates light.  There is a Redeemer Who saves us from the perfect Law’s accusations.

The Psalm ends with 3 verses of illumination and grace:

• • We can’t even identify all of our faults in the darkness of sin. (Psalm 19:12) “Acquit me” is David’s prayer here.
  • In our bold ignorance, we sometimes behave in a presumptuous self-righteous way. (Ps. 19:13) David’s prayer is “keep me from this.”
  • And as we contemplate – or more properly “meditate” upon this Torah – including the perfect and accusing Law and the Light-giving and for-giving Redeemer, David’s prayer is “Let the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in Thy sight, O Lord, my Rock and Redeemer.” (Ps. 19:14)

As we pray about the darkness in our life (sin or suffering or self-righteousness), we recognize the darkness into which we are born and often walk.  We give thanks for the light that comes with redemption and new life in Christ. The Light is greater than the darkness. Any darkness. Meditate on that.