Today’s Reading: Genesis 1-2; Psalm 19; Mark 1

God did not have to reveal Himself to His creation, but He did.

God did not have to reveal Himself to His new creation (the church) to make them His body, but He did.

Psalm 19 serves as a picture of how God reveals Himself. Theologians categorize them into two areas (as God seems to do in this Psalm): general revelation and special revelation. General revelation is God revealing Himself through His creation. We see a picture of this in Romans 1:18-20:

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, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.

God has shown enough of Himself in creation leave those who reject Him without a good rationale to say, “I never knew of a Creator”–for His creation is all around. “The heavens declare the glory of God” (Psalm 19:1). “Their voice goes out to the end of the earth” (Psalm 19:3)

Special revelation is how God reveals Himself specifically (specially) to His new creation, His people, the Church. He gives His Word, and by His Spirit opens up His Word to help us see and understand (cf. 1 Corinthians 2:11-13). When you read Psalm 19:7-10, you see the attributes of the Word (law, testimony, precepts, commandment, fear, and rules), the nature of the Word (perfect, sure, right, pure, and true), and lastly what it does to the one receiving it (revives the soul, makes wise the simple, rejoices the heart, enlightens the eyes, endures forever, and is righteous altogether).

No wonder the Psalmist says, “This is my desire–better than anything earth can give. Word, do your work and may my mouth and heart articulate your goodness and faithfulness.”

Christ is the ultimate Revelation. The Creator who created all things came to make a new creation from His imagebearers. May we surrender to this Revelation.

The Bible reading comes from the Five-Day Bible Reading Plan.