THE STARS IN THE SKY DECLARE THE GLORY OF GOD - 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. God has spoken to man, and the Bible is his Word, given to us to make us wise unto salvation. In our own bodies we can see the intricacy of God’s craftsmanship; and in flowers and rain and art and music we see vestiges of God’s beauty and creativity. But God has also chosen to reveal Himself to the world through His Son Jesus Christ, and through His Word, the Holy Bible.

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The Stars In The Sky Declare The God Of God

Psalm 19 : God's General and Special Revelation

BY RANDY ALCORN  

^“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.” Romans 1:20 English Standard Version (ESV)

As a twelve-year-old, I first viewed through a telescope the great galaxy of Andromeda, consisting of hundreds of billions of stars and untold numbers of planets, nearly three million light years from Earth.

I was mesmerized. I also wept, not knowing why. I was overwhelmed by greatness on a cosmic scale and felt terribly small and alone.

Years later I first heard the gospel. After I became a Christian, I found that gazing through the telescope became an act of delighted worship.

We’re told that God's “invisible qualities” can be “clearly seen” in “what has been made” (Romans 1:20).

This is God's general revelation.

Eden has been trampled, torched, and savaged.

Nevertheless, the stars in the sky declare God’s glory (Psalm 19:1).

In our own bodies we can see the intricacy of God’s craftsmanship; and in flowers and rain and art and music we see vestiges of God’s beauty and creativity.

But God has also chosen to reveal Himself to the world through His Son Jesus Christ, and through His Word, the Holy Bible.

This is special revelation. J.I. Packer wrote in Knowing God, "God has spoken to man, and the Bible is his Word, given to us to make us wise unto salvation."

Psalm 19 English Standard Version (ESV)

The Law of the Lord Is Perfect

To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David.

19 The heavens declare the glory of God,
    and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.
² Day to day pours out speech,
    and night to night reveals knowledge.
³ There is no speech, nor are there words,
    whose voice is not heard.
⁴ 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,
⁵  which comes out like a bridegroom leaving his chamber,
    and, like a strong man, runs its course with joy.
⁶ Its rising is from the end of the heavens,
    and its circuit to the end of them,
    and there is nothing hidden from its heat.

⁷ The law of the Lord is perfect,
    reviving the soul;
the testimony of the Lord is sure,
    making wise the simple;
⁸ the precepts of the Lord are right,
    rejoicing the heart;
the commandment of the Lord is pure,
    enlightening the eyes;
⁹ the fear of the Lord is clean,
    enduring forever;
the rules of the Lord are true,
    and righteous altogether.
¹⁰ More to be desired are they than gold,
    even much fine gold;
sweeter also than honey
    and drippings of the honeycomb.
¹¹ Moreover, by them is your servant warned;
    in keeping them there is great reward.

¹² Who can discern his errors?
    Declare me innocent from hidden faults.
¹³ 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.

¹⁴ Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
    be acceptable in your sight,
    O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.

Randy Alcorn (@randyalcorn) is the author of over fifty books and the founder and director of Eternal Perspective Ministries. 

https://www.epm.org/blog/2010/Jun/23/psalm-19-gods-general-and-special-revelation