Looking beyond the obvious and seeing the reality hidden in plain sight.

Simple things can be most profound! Many a times I have found myself mesmerised by the properties of water. It is essential for our survival, it quenches our thirst, cleanses and cools us down. Water is everywhere and yet it is so amazing. I am awed to recognise it simply as a confluence of Hydrogen and Oxygen atoms held loosely, thus questions are naturally raised.
- Water — is it a result of ‘by chance' mixing of elements or is it the work of a Creator?
- What is the source of it’s life sustaining properties?
Surely we live in a world full of wonders. In Psalm 19 we find David undertake his own observations, he goes on to describe his reflections in the form of this psalm. He looks at the sun and is amazed at God’s creation. He looks at the Morality entrenched in God’s precepts and acknowledges the goodness of God.
Do we take moments to reflect on who God is? David does not merely wonder about the things around him, rather he goes on to see God’s reflection in all of this.
As the psalm begins, David draws attention to the heavens above — the frontiers of space. David describes it as a silent witness to the reality of God. David is not the only one to take this line of reflection. Many a great minds have looked at the world around and acknowledged the presence of a Creator.
They have no speech, they use no words; no sound is heard from them. Yet their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world. In the heavens God has pitched a tent for the sun.
Psalm 19:3-4 NIV
David then focuses on the sun. He looks at it’s journey from one horizon to the other. We are reminded of its radiance through the comparison with a champion. But this champion is gracious — the sun provides its warmth to one and all, there are no favourites.
It rises at one end of the heavens and makes its circuit to the other; nothing is deprived of its warmth. Psalm 19:6 NIV
This is where David shifts focus and sings praises to God’s goodness. As David looks at the created world, he not only sees the wonderful creation but also the nature of God. As he looks at the sun, he is able to recognise the just and gracious nature of God who provides sunlight to all without fail. Paul many generations later, follows this line of thought and reaffirms that the creation reveals the creator.
David not only sees the creation but also the laws that govern it. He sees it as the ways of the Lord, for it is God who is the governor of all these things. The ways of the Lord reveal quite a lot about Him — we can see His radiant power, goodness, justice, trustworthiness and perfection displayed in the created world around us.
The law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul. The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple. The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes.
Psalm 19:7-8 NIV
These are not merely signposts that tell us of God rather they impact us as well. David describes these works of God as — giving joy, refreshing the soul, transforming the mind and enduring forever. David’s description helps us understand the kind of impact a beautiful scenery has on a tired mind, body and soul and in it he reminds us to see the presence of God.
This revelation is very precious to David, he describes it as more costly than gold and sweeter than honey. Why is it so precious?
This is where we need to step back and recognise that what David observes are the normal and routine things we all have seen and taken for granted. The sky will be there, the sun will rise and yes it will set. David does not just look at it like that, he ponders over this simple scenery and recognises the reality of God’s presence and the goodness of His ways. This makes it extremely valuable to him. David does not compartmentalise God to sunday worship within the church rather he looks at all of creation and knows that all of it belongs to God.
Are we able to recognise the active presence of God in our lives? Maybe we need to slow our fast-paced lives a bit to hear the call of the Lord.
David describes the nature of God and the resulting morality as a guiding light which reminds him to seek God and His righteousness. We all today have an even more special revelation from God in Christ Jesus, through Him we are able to see God’s reality and his nature. Yet what makes it more special is the promise of a loving and intimate relationship. Thus when we look at Christ, we can not only see God and his goodness but we can also become his children and live eternally as his children. And that is more precious than silver or gold! What do you think?
Hey all I have been undertaking this journey through the Bible and I have been sharing snippets of my reflections on this journey. You can find more of it here: medium.com/@shshnkrwt
If you want to read and reflect on God’s word but don’t know how, then feel free to get in touch with me.
