When You're Not Excited to Read the BibleНамуна

Devotional Day 5: Joy Bombs in the Psalms

I have a really special story to share with you today about the Psalm you and I are about to read together. Psalm 19 always takes me back to when I was about 17 years old and my parents took me to this Christian college in New York. We were trying to figure out if this is where I was supposed to go, and at the time, my dad didn’t know Jesus. He wasn’t a believer yet. He had not accepted Jesus' love and forgiveness, and I was just so excited that he had agreed to come with us. To hang out on this Christian campus, even if it was just for this one day. And so, we were in this room with a log cabin feel to it for an info session and they read this Psalm. I remember my heart feeling so excited and thinking, oh, my dad is hearing God’s Word right now. And I’ll tell you what happened 20 years after this moment, after we read the Psalms together.

Join me now in Psalm 19:1

The heavens proclaim the glory of God. The skies display his craftsmanship. Day after day they continue to speak; night after night they make him known. They speak without a sound or word; their voice is never heard. Yet their message has gone throughout the earth, and their words to all the world.

I have to pause here and point something out because isn’t it true when you look up on a starry night and you see all of the incredible things that God has placed in the sky it just makes you go, “Wow!”? Someone must have created this! Or if you already believe, you’re thinking, “Wow God, not only did You create these stars, but You named them.” Yeah, the Bible says God has named each star. And if He knows their names, just know today that He knows your name. He counts the hairs on your head. He just loves you that much. You don’t count the hairs of somebody who you don’t love. Okay, let’s go back to Psalm 19 now.

God has made a home in the heavens for the sun. It bursts forth like a radiant bridegroom after his wedding. It rejoices like a great athlete eager to run the race. The sun rises at one end of the heavens and follows its course to the other end. Nothing can hide from its heat. The instructions of the Lord are perfect, reviving the soul.

Do you need a soul revival right now? You’re reading His word. This is God reviving you right now.

The decrees of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple. The commandments of the Lord are right, bringing joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are clear, giving insight for living. Reverence for the Lord is pure, lasting forever. The laws of the Lord are true; each one is fair. They are more desirable than gold, even the finest gold. They are sweeter than honey, even honey dripping from the comb. They are a warning to your servant, a great reward for those who obey them. How can I know all the sins lurking in my heart? Cleanse me from these hidden faults. Keep your servant from deliberate sins! Don’t let them control me. Then I will be free of guilt and innocent of great sin.

Now we’re coming up on verse 14. Highlight this one in your Bible. This is another prayer you and I can take into the new year.

May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.

Isn’t that beautiful? Read it again. Lord, we pray this right now. May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Wow. Okay. I promised you the conclusion to my dad’s story. I had been praying for him for 20 years to come to Christ. I started praying for him a year before that moment at the Christian College when he heard Psalm 19, the one we just read for the first time. I prayed and I prayed, and there was one time he even said, “Don’t ever talk to me about this again, this Jesus thing.” He threw down the newspaper. I’ll never forget it. And when he was 62 years old he gave his heart to Jesus. This always makes me emotional because I’m so grateful. He accepted the love and forgiveness of Christ, and my Dad was baptized. I’ll never forget the water flowing over his salt-and-pepper hair. I couldn’t believe it. I still can’t believe it.

My dad has led Bible studies since then. He wears a cross around his neck. There is so much hope for that person you love who doesn’t yet believe in Jesus. Or maybe it’s you? You can accept His love. There’s nothing you’ve done that prevents you from accepting the love and forgiveness of Christ. Nothing you’ve done is greater than what Jesus did on the cross for you, for you are so loved.

I hope you have truly enjoyed this series and have found yourself excited and reminded that the Bible is anything but boring!

Did this plan encourage you? We adapted it from The Bible for Busy People podcast with Erica Parkerson. https://purposely.com/podcasts/the-bible-for-busy-people/