What is God's Glory?

There is

1. intrinsic glory

2. ascribed glory

God gave us two revelations to show us His Glory.

1st the revelation of creation - infinite world

2nd the revelation of God's written Word - infallible words

God's Glory -- His World -- His Word

Verses 1-4 The heavens proclaim the glory of God.

1. Intrinsic Glory – the total of all His divine attributes. His holiness, sovereignty,

righteousness, grace, truth, goodness, mercy, justice, omnipresence,

omniscience, omnipotence.

2. Ascribed Glory - When we see Him in Glory, we ascribe Glory to His

wonderful name.

When we read of His Glory, we ascribe Glory to His wonderful name.

V1-4 "The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge. There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard (universal knowledge). Their voices go out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world."

The day pours out information about God.

The night spreads the knowledge of God before us.

(In the night of our lives, we remember what He has shown us in the day.)

Elizabeth Barret Browning wrote in the Sonnets of the Portuguese:

"Earth's crammed with heaven,

And every common bush afire with God;

But only he who sees, takes off his shoes.

The rest sit round it and pluck blackberries."

If you want to see God, look at His 1st book of revelation -- His creation.

Experience Him in nature, reaching down, calling us into His presence and His wonder.

Paul tells of this in Acts 14:15-17 … God Who made heaven and earth… God

has not left Himself without testimony. He has shown kindness by giving you rain

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from heaven and crops in their season… He fills your heart with joy.

God created and He also provides,... Joy is healing - He continues the blessing by keeping us connected through nature to Him.

The earth and God's creation is a continuous message without a break all day and all night.

One days tells another and one night certifies another -- continuous passing of the baton.

Universal language - understood without a sound.

The message goes out to all without exception. It screams to the Glory of God.

David relates what is happening in the heavens to things we know about here on earth:

V4b-6 In the heavens he has pitched a tent for the sun, which is like a bridegroom coming forth from his pavilion, like a champion rejoicing to run his course. It rises at one end of the heavens and makes its circuit to the other; nothing is hidden from its heat.

Romans 1:28 Furthermore, since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, He gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what not ought to be done.

To reject the knowledge of God and His creation is serious. "A depraved mind" - thinking becomes distracted and disordered.

What kind of mind thinks they know more about creation than God? Or thinks we are better off without prayer in our schools? Or that we don't need the ten commandments or "In God we trust" on our coins? Or that abortion isn't murder?

The book of nature is Volume 1. It came first.

Volume 2 is a deep, clearer, and more detailed revelation of God - His written Word, the Bible.

When we see God's creation, we see Volume 1. We look at a tree, its limbs, leaves, fruit.

When we look at Volume 2, we read, "I am the Vine, you are the branches." John 15:5

V7-11 Answers the Why? And the Who?

Why are we here and Who made us? We read from Volume 2.

"Nature feeds and strengthens our outer life. But the Word of God touches the inner life. Whereas nature is all about 'outer space,' God's Word conquers the 'inner space' of our humanity, the soul and spirit." Ray Stedman

David shows us the characteristics of God's Word and then what it can do.

In the example of God's world, we see His character - ie. The stars say - God is almighty, He is eternal, He has infinite order and immeasurable power. He loves and feels. He cares and rules.

God made the world. God gives His Word.

The law (of the Lord) is

1. perfect. It speaks with the voice of God (addresses every problem you

have).

It revives the soul. It challenges us. As the sun returns in the heavens, so

God’s Word returns the sinner to God. *God’s Word is precious.

The statutes (of the Lord) are trustworthy (dependable). Making wise the simple (God's Word gives you wisdom).

The precepts (of the Lord) are

3. right (truth). Gives joy to the heart. John 3:16

Heaven above was deeper blue.

Earth around was brighter green.

Something lived in every hue.

Christless eyes have never seen. A hymn

The commands (of the Lord) are

4. radiant (pure). Gives light to the eyes.

The fear (of the Lord) is

5. pure. Enduring forever.

The ordinances (of the Lord) are

6. sure. Altogether righteous. * His Word changes us. Think of Zaccheus.

They are

7. more precious than gold -- than much gold.

8. sweeter than honey -- than honey from the comb.

* His Word convicts us. By them

9. your servant is warned. In keeping them there is great reward.

Nature feeds our outer life.

God's Word! feeds the inner life of His children.

* God's Word has the power to cleanse us.

1. radical cleansing -- depends on the blood of Jesus.

2. recurrent cleansing -- depends on the Word of God.

V12 Who can discern his errors? Forgive my hidden faults.

1 Peter 2:12 Therefore rid yourselves ...

David says that something is wrong with us, so

V13 (If) Keep your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me.

(Then) Then will I be blameless, innocent of greater transgression.

So the process begins –

God reveals the sin in my life – uncomfortable circumstances often expose your/my faults. We look at how ugly and hurtful our faults are. Often others can see our faults but we can’t see them. God, through His Word, exposes sin and areas in our lives that keep us from folowing Him as He desires.

Think for a moment. Do you know people whose faults you can clearly see?

How can they be so blind? Duh! They are thinking the same about me!

So when you pray verse 13, expect God to expose your sin and make you a little uncomfortable; be ready for the cleansing and the growth in your life!

Everything that does not come from faith is sin. Romans 14:23

Everything we do:

In our own self-confidence is sin.

In our own wisdom and strength is sin.

We ask God and admit –

I can’t live a holy life in my own power.

I can’t serve You in my own power.

I can’t become what You want me to be in my own power.

Come and live in Me!

V14 The door to the secrets of God for you –

Do you want to explore God’s World/Word?

Do you want to hear God speak clearly and powerfully?

Then pray verse 14 – Let the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be pleasing in Your sight, Oh Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.

Cleansed, we

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God’s Word is a chart that will steer us clear of sin in our lives.