Daily Devotional – October 9-15
October 9 – Meditating on God’s Word
This devotional series offers less content but more opportunity for you to reflect, contemplate, and pray through the short Scriptures we offer. It is an opportunity to help us slow down and enjoy time in the presence of God. It is an exercise in listening with the intent of hearing from God through His Word and by His Spirit. Here is the passage for the week:
Psalm 19:1-4, 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.
Prayer: “Father, Your glory is beyond compare as Your lofty creation reveals the splendor of Your eternal nature. You are beautiful. You are magnificent. You are powerful. Your creative imagination and ability are beyond comprehension. You made it all with absolutely no effort, yet it is infinite in scope and intricately assembled. If we stop to consider the wonder of Your creation, we can hear it speak volumes about who You are and what You can do. Even though it doesn’t use sounds, its sight alone communicates eternal truth. Your creation was Your first evangelist as it is seen by everyone all over the earth and communicates the same message to all who will listen. May Your sovereign name be praised over all. Amen.”
October 10 – Meditating on God’s Word
Psalm 19:1, The heavens declare the glory of God…
Write out the Scripture. (As it is or in your own words.)
“The heavens declare the glory of God…”
Observe what it is saying. (Answer the who, what, when, where, why, and how questions)
The heavens that David, the author, speak include the sun, moon, stars, and planets that hang miraculously in the sky. When we stop long enough to look up and consider their size, their distance, and their magnificence, then we easily discover God’s glory, the very manifestation of His resplendent nature. If we see the big picture of God’s creative ability, then we cannot diminish who He is but be in absolute awe in our all-out surrendered worship.
Relate it to your life. (Connect how this Scripture speaks into your life today.)
The latest photos now capture images of galaxies deep in the universe containing billions of stars. If the universe appears to be infinite in size, what does it tell us about God’s magnitude?
Do something. (Pray it. Live it. Act on it.)
“Father, praise be to Your holy and glorious name. You are absolutely amazing in beauty, wonder, and power. There is nothing that compares to You. Please forgive me when I diminish Your glory by my short-sighted praise and faith. May my heart be overwhelmed with Your greatness and continually worship You in praise and obedience. Amen.”
October 11 – Meditating on God’s Word
Psalm 19:1, … the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
Write out the Scripture.
“…the skies proclaim the work of his hands.”
Observe what it is saying.
The first part of this verse declares the majesty of God’s nature. The second half reveals what God can do. As I consider the vastness of creation, it tells me that God speaks, and galaxies are created in an instant. God’s power and authority to create are beyond measure. Jesus manifested that power as He spoke and the storm was stilled, the lame were healed, and the dead were raised.
Relate it to your life.
God’s sheer creative power to speak the infinite and majestic universe into existence should humble me before Him.
Do something.
“Father, I’m overwhelmed with Your creative ability. I confess that my view of You is way too small. Help me to think larger and to see the greater view of Your majestic glory. Amen.”
October 12 – Meditating on God’s Word
Psalm 19:2, Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge.
Write out the Scripture.
“Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge.”
Observe what it is saying.
Creation continually speaks of God’s glorious nature. Regardless of whether its day or night, the sun, the clouds, the rain, the rainbows, the stars, the moon, the planets, and distant galaxies refuse to be quiet. They incessantly shout to all who will stop and consider the infinity and intricacy of all that has been formed. They clearly reveal vast knowledge about God’s majestic nature and beautiful handiwork.
Relate it to your life.
When I linger in thought about God’s creation, I understand there is a Creator God who is all-powerful, all-intelligent, all-seeing, all-loving, and all-together beautiful and beyond compare.
Do something.
“Father, thank You for revealing Yourself in creation. I love what I see. Praise be to You. Amen.”
October 13 – Meditating on God’s Word
Psalm 19:3, They have no speech, they use no words; no sound is heard from them.
Write out the Scripture.
“They have no speech, they use no words; no sound is heard from them.”
Observe what it is saying.
Without a word spoken, volumes can be written about what creation is saying. As more and more discoveries are made, they only affirm God’s love, beauty, wisdom, and power. Paul said it this way in Romans 1:20, “For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.”
Relate it to your life.
Because creation has spoken, I must listen because it tells me enough about God that I’m responsible to know His nature without reading a word!
Do something.
“Father, help me to clearly see who You are by observing the works of Your hands. Amen.”
October 14 – Meditating on God’s Word
Psalm 19:4, Yet their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world.
Write out the Scripture.
“Yet their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world.”
Observe what it is saying.
Notice that David describes creation as having one voice. There are not many voices speaking. Creation may use many words, but they came from the same unified voice that declares the glorious nature of the one true God. This same voice overcomes all language barriers and speaks the same message to the whole world. This is why we are without excuse. God created. Creation has spoken. It’s up to us to listen.
Relate it to your life.
What am I hearing when I listen to the voice of creation?
Do something.
“Father, You are shouting Your beauty, love, wisdom, and power if I will only stop long enough to close my mouth and open my ears. Give me the ability to slow down and listen. Amen.”