Please remain standing as I read today's scripture text from the book of Psalm, Psalm 19. The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims His handiwork. Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge. There is no speech, nor are there words, whose voice is not heard. Their voice goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them he has set a tent for the sun, which comes out like a bridegroom leaving his chamber, and like a strong man runs its course with joy. Its rising is from the ends of the heavens, and its circuit to the ends of them, and there is nothing hidden from its heat. The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul, The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. The precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart. The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever. The rules of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold. sweeter also than honey, and the drippings of the honeycomb. Moreover, by them, as your servant warned, in keeping them there is great reward. Who can discern his errors? Declare me innocent from hidden faults. 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. Let the words of my mouth in the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in your sight. Oh Lord, my rock and my redeemer. This is the word of the Lord. You may be seated. Father, thank you for this opportunity now to proclaim the word of the Lord. We ask our father that you would lead God and direct that the spirit of God would move in our hearts and our lives. And Father, we'll give you the thanks and praise for it all in Jesus' name. Amen. When I was a kid, after a hard, long, and cold winter, I couldn't wait to get outside. One of those spring days, when it's sunny, when the skies are cloudless or blue, When the air is warm and the grass is green, can you feel it? The light of the sun, the warmth of the day, there's nothing like getting outside, is there? Well, you know what? I have a feeling that King David understood that when he wrote this psalm. King David wanted us to be aware of God And as he wrote this psalm, he wrote it in three sections. And the sections were written so we would have an awareness of God. In the first section, he wants us to have an awareness of God in the world in which we live. The heavens declare the glory of God. In the second section, he wants us to be aware of the very Word of God. where he says in verse 7, the law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul. And in the last section he wants us to understand his awareness within our own heart. So let's look at this psalm this morning as we see God speaking and let's cultivate an awareness of God that will help Let's look at, first of all, an awareness of the world around us, or let me put it another way, recognizing God and the wonder of the world that He has made. Look with me at chapter 19, verse 1 and 2. The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims His handiwork. Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge. the natural world, the sky, the Bible says, speaks loudly and consistently about God. And it's interesting the two different words they use, the heavens declare and the skies above proclaim. That word the heavens declare means to score with a mark. Now, have you ever noticed when you get something that's really nice and really expensive, a lot of times, it'll be engraved with your name on it. I used to have a really nice cross pin, one of those gold ones, and it had Pastor McNutt on it, and I loved that pin. Unfortunately, I finally lost it. But everybody knew it was my pin because it was engraved on it. The Bible says that God has engraved His name on the world around us. And then it says, the skies above proclaim, and that means to show boldly, or to show boldly out. So loudly and consistently, day after day, night after night, without fail, the sky is speaking loudly in consistency, consistently about the glory and the artistry of God. Now as I look at this psalm and I think about creation, David is not saying that the other parts of creation doesn't matter, is he? But he is saying that this part of creation makes all the difference in the world. David is saying that there is not a day, there is not a night when this isn't a loud proclamation. And what's interesting is, not in words, but in light, and in color, and in contrast, and even in shape. Put yourself with me at one of your favorite places and look at the sunset for a moment. Do you have a place where you just really enjoyed the sunset? When we lived in New York, we used to go down to Erie, Pennsylvania on what they call Presque Isle, and that's a thing that jolts right out into the Great Lake there, Lake Erie. And according to The books is supposed to be one of the greatest sunsets in the world. But listen, when I was a kid back in 1968, I remember being on a mountain near McKinley in Alaska. And if you know anything about the North, because of the way the sun's situated, the sun doesn't really hardly go down in the summer. You don't see it in the winter. But I remember staying up all night to watch that sun. And I wanted to see it drop and I wanted to see it come up. And it all happened within about four or five minutes. You got a little bit of a dark and boom, that sun was right back up in the air. This is what the passage of scripture is saying. Let that speak to you. Now look what it says in verse four. Their voice goes out through all the earth and their words to the end of the world. In them he has set a tent for the sun. In them. The them is the heavens and the sky above. And do you see this beautiful image of a tent? It's just like that view I saw in Alaska. It's as if the sun is hiding under the tent and then it comes out and then it makes a circle and it goes back into that tent. In fact, look at what it says in verses five and six, which comes out like a bridegroom leaving his chamber and like a strong man runs its course with joy. Its rising is from the ends of the heavens and the circuit to the ends of them, and there is nothing hidden from its heat. Here's a picture of a youthful strength, energy and physical joy. Now folks, listen. These verses are teaching through exalting. A place that every day is designed to make you aware of God. All of this, this beauty, this splendor, the skies, the moon, the sun, what does it do? It tells us that there is a greater, more glorious God behind what He created. you know folks get all excited about nature all right but let me make a statement god is not nature god made nature right and so he's more glorious than nature could ever be so here's the point look how glorious this world is but behind this glory is this beautiful place calling us every day to be aware of In fact, this is the point he's making in verses 3 and 4. Let's look. Now think about it. David wrote this psalm, right? But when we look up into the skies, we see the same moon he saw, don't we? The same sky that he saw. God is calling everyone to be aware of this. And folks, listen, of all people, we who belong to God by faith in Christ Jesus, we should be paying attention more than anybody else. because he's real and he's powerful and he wants you to know how can you not read psalm nineteen without thinking about Roman chapter one all right God tells us something they're very special doesn't I'm going to read from Romans chapter one I want to read verses nineteen and twenty listen to what God's Word says for what can be known about God is plain to them because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived ever since the creation of the world in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. Without excuse. Well, what are we talking about here? Well, let me back up and read verse 18. Listen to what it says. For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived ever since the creation of the world and things that have been made. so that they are without excuse. You know what this passage is saying? This passage is saying is, is that anybody in any time can look at the world that God created and they are without excuse because they have to know that there's a God behind this great creation. A lot of times people ask me, well, pastor, what about the people that have never heard of the name of Jesus? That's the answer. God has revealed Himself in nature. He's revealed Himself in nature. So, let me ask you, how are you doing with this? Does His creation make you draw near to Him? Does His creation make you delight in Him? That's why he has given us the world in which we live. So as we look out day after day night after night we will be aware of God's presence. But there's a second thing here and an awareness of God in his word or let me put it another way experiencing God in the power of his word he has spoken So it's not just recognizing God in the world that He has made, but experiencing God in the power of the Word that He has spoken. Or, aware of God at work in my life through the Word. Now, before we look closely at this in verses 7 through 11, I want you to notice something very important. Looking back at chapter Chapter 19, verses 1 through 6. Did you notice that the name God is only used once there? But when we get down to verses 7 through 11, it's all over. But in verse 1, the name God is used only once. Listen to what it says. The heavens declare the glory of God. You know what word they use for God there? the very most common word you can use, just the word El, E-L. Not Elohim, because you know El Shaddai, how they take the El and add something to it. Just simply the word El. Just God, as basically as you can have it. But ladies and gentlemen, when we drop down to verses 7 through 11, we see it six times. But you know the word that God has David right there instead of El? He uses the word Yahweh. The covenant-keeping God who said, I am who I am, or who says, I am, I am for you. The God who enters into a personal relationship with you. Isn't it amazing that when we switch from the world to the word, the name of God is shifted from just the basic idea of God to Yahweh, the covenant keeping God. That ought to speak volumes to us this morning. Let me try to illustrate that. Let's just say, for instance, I'm having a conversation with somebody, and in my conversation with somebody, I say something like, yeah, my wife got me that. But then, in another conversation, I make this statement. My lovely bride, Arlene, got me that. What am I saying? I'm saying, this is special from my wife and I want you to know who she is. This is exactly what's taking place here in this text. Now, I want you to look at this text in this way. The basic form of these verses are really pretty simple. First of all, you have a noun, which is used the name for God's Word. Then you have an adjective used to describe that word. Then you have a verb which is used to show what that word can do if it's obeyed. So now let's look at the first nouns there. Look with me at verse 7. The law of the Lord. That's the noun, the law. The second part, the testimony. The third part, the precepts. The fourth part, the commandment. The fear. the rules they speak about the authority that trustworthiness of God's word the reverence that we should have for it now let's look at the adjectives describing the God's word all right so we see the law there's the noun the adjective is it's perfect Again the testimony the Bible says is sure the precepts of the Lord they're right the commandments of the Lord they're here the fear of the Lord it's clean and the rules of the Lord are These speak of the reliability and dependability and usefulness of God's Word in our lives. But listen, the main thing that David is emphasizing, though, is here in the verbs. So let's look at it again. The law of the Lord is perfect. Then what? It revives the soul. The precepts of the Lord are right. What does it do? rejoicing the heart. The commandment of the Lord is pure. Why? It's enlightening in the eyes. The fear of the Lord is clean. It endures forever. The rules of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. The effects that God means these words to have in our life. This is the verb. What he's saying is compelling. It's appealing. And ladies and gentlemen, I hope that as we sat here, you all said within your heart, I want this effect that God's word to have this on me when I obey it and do what he says. Folks, listen, nothing can affect us better than the word of God. The word can change our lives completely. So let's just look at a couple of them. Notice with me where it says reviving the soul. The law of the Lord is perfect. Reviving the soul. Now listen. In Psalm chapter 23, the great shepherds are. David says the Lord is my shepherd. I shall not want. He maketh me lie down in green pastures. And then he says he restores my soul. Same phrase, same word. He restores my soul when times are hard. Now let me ask you, do you remember this song when you were a kid? We used to sing it a lot. Every day with Jesus is sweeter than the day before. That's a beautiful song, but it ain't true, is it? Is every day with Jesus sweeter than the day before? You don't have hard days, difficult days, trials and tribulations? Days when you wonder, God, are you there? What do I need when I have that time? When those things are coming into my life? I need something to restore my sorrow, don't I? Or look at chapter 19 and verse 8. he says the precepts of the Lord are right rejoicing the heart listen I need that because sometimes my joy fluctuates I get my eyes off Jesus and I get my eyes on the circumstances around me and I'm thinking oh oh is me and when that happens I need to go to the word and say wait a minute The precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart. Folks, don't forget, we have an enemy who wants to rob us of our joy, don't we? Here's the Lord, listen, who loves us more than anyone else. Who knows us more than anyone else. and he's saying listen I have given you this I have given you word my word so I can make you wise you who are simple the law of the Lord is perfect reviving the soul the testimony of the Lord is sure making wise the simple how can I ask you does anybody here need that this morning through God's Word Yahweh speaks personally to me he's making known himself to me he's speaking and folks what should our attitude be to this well look with me in verse 10 would you more to be desired are they than gold even much fine gold sweeter also than honey and the drippings of the honeycomb it says if God has put a choice before us right what do you want gold or the wisdom and the truth that comes from my word And you can't have both. You gotta have one or the other. What's more important to you? Gold can't revive our soul, can it? Have you ever noticed how so often people with a lot of money are the most unhappiest people in the world? We think, oh man, if I would just get to this place and everything's gonna be simple, everything's gonna be kind, everything's gonna be lovely. I have it all together. But it doesn't change a bit. Back now, you're worried about people not getting your money. See, God wants us to be aware of Him every day. Look at verse 11. He says, moreover by them is your servant warned, and in keeping of them there is great reward as we experience the power of the word he's speaking to us and what he promises us here in this passage of scripture is a great reward so what that tells me is this guy wants to bless us right And how does he bless us? Through doing what he says for us to do. And isn't it interesting that when James writes to the people who are scattered throughout Patras, Galatia, Cappadocia, he says in chapter one in verse 22 or 25, I can't remember exactly, that God doesn't bless the knowing of the word, but only the doing of the word. And what's wrong with churches today? I think it's because we don't do what the Bible says. We know it, but because we don't do it, we don't receive the power and the joy that comes from serving the Lord. There is joy in serving Jesus. And isn't that what Hebrews 11, 6 tells us? Without faith it is impossible to please Him. But he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and he is the rewarder of them that diligently seek him. Folks, this should be our attitude towards the Word of God. God has put a choice before us. He wants to bless us. And as we experience the power of the Word, He will reward us. because he's speaking to us. Now, let's look at the third one. In an awareness of God in our hearts, you see, or let me put it another way, welcoming God into the workings of the heart he has awakened. Not just recognizing God in the wonder of the world he made, not just experiencing God in the power of the word he has spoken or proclaimed, but welcoming God in the heart that he has awake. Now, folks, David loves God, loves God deeply, does he not? He loves him so much that even when God speaks commands to David, he receives the commands as God's grace in his life. In fact, we've already learned it's better than gold to him. But let me ask you something. Just because David loves God doesn't mean he's without sin, does it? Just because we love God doesn't mean that we're without sin. In fact, ladies and gentlemen, probably not everyone here loves God. And if that's the case, Jesus tells you to come and receive forgiveness of your sins by faith to the finished work of the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior. But for most of us, this has to do with you and me, doesn't it? Now, I want you to see something here. Look with me at chapter 19 and verse 12, just the first section. The passage says, who can discern his errors? Now, you see, that's the working in the heart. There are things, ladies and gentlemen, that unless the word through the son hits us, we'll never know that we're in the wrong place where God wants us to be. And he's saying, look, we do things sometimes just because we forget, other times because we just don't even know. And I noticed in my life, maybe something different in yours, but when I'm looking at the Word and the Word begins to speak to my heart, it begins to reveal my nasty heart, you know what I find more than anything else? It's the sin of pride. Always thinking more highly about me than I should. In fact, God tells me in His Word, only when I humble myself will I be exalted. What does God do to those who are prideful? He pushes them away. What does He do to those who humble themselves? He brings them in. And isn't it interesting that in the New Testament, when Paul and others are writing to the church, he tells us that word to what? To love others more than ourselves. Esteem others better than yourself, right? I wonder, how many of us really have grasped that? have really came to the place in our lives where we say you know what the more important person at New Covenant Church is you fill in the blank not me oh oh pastor but you don't know I do this I do that I do that yeah I do know all right we're to steam others better than ourselves that's hard isn't it and so David says God help me discern my errors then listen to what he says in verse thirteen there again just the first he says keep back your servant also from presumptuous let them not have not only how father help me deal with the sins I don't know about or you need to reveal to me or I've forgotten about but help me deal with the sins that I know about and i do many ways anybody there why no i shouldn't do this but and you look up and i have a need to do it anyway presumptuous keep back your servant also from presumptuous sin, let them not have dominion over me." Why does he say that? Because what happens when we sin? We become a slave to that sin, don't we? And it begins to have dominion over us. It begins to rule us instead of God. But look what David does. He welcomes God into the workings of his heart. Notice, he's aware that God is there. So he's calling for God to be active. Listen to what he says after verse 12. Who can discern my errors? Boom, there it is. Then what does he say? Declare me innocent from hidden faults. Work in my heart in such a way that I know I've been declared innocent. Or then in verse 13, keep me back your servant from presumptuous sins. Let them not have dominion over me. Why? Then I shall be blameless and innocent of great transgression. I want to engage with you in my heart. I want you to engage with me. I want your mercy. I want your protection. And here's how he sums it up in verse 14. Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight. Oh Lord, my rock and my redeemer. Let me ask you, brothers and sisters in Christ here at New Covenant Church, can we say this too? with King David. Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight. Oh Lord my rock and my redeemer. Look how God is addressed here in three different ways. Oh Lord and again he goes back to that personal relationship Yahweh covenant-keeping God. And then He says, My rock, which has the idea of My refuge. And then He has the word Redeemer, which has the idea of Savior. You know, over the years, I have found this to be one of the very best fighting verses I've ever When I'm dealing with sin in the heart, I cry out with this verse, let the words of my mouth, the meditation of my heart be acceptable in thy sight, my strength and my redeemer. Boy, that'll change everything, won't it? Let what I say be acceptable. Let what I think be acceptable. How can it happen? Because He is my Lord. He is my Yahweh. He has entered into a personal relationship with me. And He has promised that if I go to the rock, I will find refuge. Why? Because I have been redeemed by the precious blood of the Lamb, the Lord Jesus Christ. So what is God telling us in this Psalm? He's telling us this. I want you to be aware of me. I want you to be aware of me in your environment, in the world around you. I want you to be aware of me in my word. I want my word to transform you. And ladies and gentlemen, do I need to say it? God's Word won't transform you if the only time you get in the Word is on Sunday. And then when you come here on Sunday, don't pay attention. It won't. And then transform me within my heart. Let my walk be with you. in such an intimate way that as the heat of the word or the heat of the sun reveals my heart, that you'll give me the grace and the mercy to change because of who you are and the promises you've made to me. You say, Pastor, why did you preach out of Psalm 19? because we're just about to finish up 2015, aren't we? Wouldn't it be a great thing to do the year 2016 be a time when you really saw and looked for the place of God in your life, the awareness of him? And when you get out into the world and you see it, you say, wow, God made all this. When you get into the word, you say, wow, God is so wise and so wonderful. Look at all he's done to save me from my sin. And then as you wrestle with his word, it transforms your heart into the very image of his son, the Lord Jesus. Folks, listen, here at New Covenant Church, our problem is not the lack of programs. Our problem is a lack of intimacy with our God. And when we become intimate like He's asking us to, we become aware of Him He'll transform our life. Other people ask us where we go to church and want to come because of what He's doing in your particular individual life. Let me ask you, do you believe that? Let's pray. Our Father in Heaven, thank You for Your Word. Thank You, our Father, that it does make wise the Father, help us in the year 2016 be constantly aware of you each and every moment of our life. Father, I sometimes wonder what it would be like if we had an awareness meter on our heart. especially during Mondays or Tuesdays when we're away from church and away from our brothers and sisters in Christ, are we really aware of you? Help us, our Father, to make 2016 a time when we're aware from you because of your creation. Help us to be aware of you because we're in your word. And help us to be aware of you because of that constant struggle that goes on in our minds and our hearts as we try to become transformed into the very image of your son. Now take your words, our Father, and work in our lives. Let the heat of the Word of God transform us into the very image of Jesus, we pray in Jesus' name. Amen.