Whom to Worship->Creator or Created ?

Psalm 19
Increasingly we are hearing people say they are atheists; they dont believe in God.
Many simply dont know if there is a God. They are not really atheists, they are agnostic;
they dont know whether or not God exists.
In Psalm 19 David tells us that we can know God. He tells us that God has revealed
Himself to His creation. He has made Himself known. He has told us about Himself
indirectly and directly.
God Can Be Known Indirectly Through His Creation (1-6)
David argues that when we look at creation we see that God has left His fingerprints
everywhere. In the book of Romans Paul wrote something similar, lets read Romans
1:19-20.
In theology this is called General Revelation. In other words there are things about God
anyone should be able to see.
We need direct revelation from God as to how to know Him but we can know that he
exists by observation.
Albert Einstein when he articulated the theory of General Relativity concluded that the
earth had a beginning.
Edwin Hubble (for whom the Hubble Telescope is named) observed the universe
expanding (which implies is started from someplace).
These Scientists concluded creation could not have always existed. This is the basis
for what is known as the cosmological argument for the existence of God; the existence
of the cosmos points to the existence of God.
The question raised from these scientific observations is: Why is there something
instead of nothing? How did everything get started in the first place?
David declares that there is something because it is obvious that there is someone of
something who made it all. Some scientists talk about creation in a sense creating itself.
That is impossible! Nothing comes from nothing! Every effect has a cause.
A second conclusion from creation is that there must have been a designer. The
argument is that the intricate design and balance of the universe point to a wise
designer.
The illustration most often used is that of a person who finds a Rolex watch in the
woods. That person would not conclude naturally that this watch was a product of the
evolution of nature.
Instead they would conclude that someone dropped the watch because it was obvious
that the watch did not come about naturally.
There is a design that could not have happened by chance. Our world and even our
bodies are more intricately designed than the watch.
The idea that it all happened by chance is ridiculous. Our world is wonderfully complex
and fine tuned to support life (this is called the Anthropic principle).
Think a few of these facts
Oxygen comprises 21% of the atmosphere. If the oxygen was 25% fires would
erupt. If it was 15% we would suffocate.
If the gravitational balance with the moon was greater there would be a tidal
effect that would create enormous problems. If it was less than it is it would
create orbital changes and climate instabilities that would make life impossible.
If the CO
2
levels were greater than they are now wed all burn up; If they were
less, plants wouldnt be able to maintain photosynthesis (producing oxygen) and
wed suffocate.
If Jupiter were not in its current orbit, the earth would be bombarded with space
material. Jupiters gravitational field acts as a cosmic vacuum cleaner for earth.
If the rotation of the earth took longer than 24 hours, temperature differences
would be too great between night and day. But if the rotation period were shorter,
atmospheric wind velocities would be too great.
If the 23-degree axis tilt of the earth were altered even slightly, surface
temperatures would be too extreme on earth.
The point is that the universe is so specifically designed to sustain life that it is
unreasonable to conclude that it happened accidently.
This design argues for a Creator. We can know several things about this Creator from
these observations:
1. He must be self-existent, timeless (or eternal) and immaterial (or supernatural . . .
beyond nature). The Creator is not made. If god were created then whoever
made god would be God!
2. He must be unimaginably powerful.
3. He must be supremely intelligent, to design a universe of such incredible
precision.
There is a second element to this indirect revelation. It is the moral sense that is within
each of us.
This is the Moral argument for the existence of God. If we all have an inherent sense of
right and wrong (seen in our conscience) then that moral sense must have come from
somewhere. A common moral law points to a Law-giver.
Some will argue that moral values are cultural. Some moral practices are cultural but
that doesnt mean that the values behind the practices vary.
For example, different cultures may honor parents in different ways. That doesnt mean
the value of honoring parents is different, only the expression of that value. There is no
land where murder is viewed good and being grateful is a sin.

Our inherent moral sense argues for a law-giver; an authority. We can conclude some
things about the Law-Giver: He is interested in right conduct. He advocates
unselfishness, the value of human life, courage, good faith, honesty, and truthfulness.
This leads to another conclusion: If there is no Law-Giver then every one of our moral
beliefs is just opinion and therefore it is impossible to declare something is right.
Right and wrong are objective standards. So, we are left with chaos and anarchy.
If there is a Law-Giver who administers justice, then we are in trouble because we
break these laws and we know a just Law-Giver must punish disobedience.
If there is a God then we already can see indirectly that we are in trouble and need
someone to rescue us. We need a Redeemer.
God is Known Directly Through the Bible and Jesus (7-14)
Fortunately, God did not leave us with only this indirect or General Revelation of His
character and will.
God also gave us special (or direct) Revelation in the Bible and in Jesus. He did this so
we could know Him better and enter into a real relationship with Him.
David points to Gods Word as a primary way we learn of God.
David understood that the Bible is a book of Instruction, Testimony, Commandments,
Principles, and judgments or rulings.
This book tells us what we need to know. Lets read from v7-v11
In a world where we may feel we cant trust anyone or anything, the Bible is a Rock we
can stand on.
It is unlike any other book because it is given to us through the hand of God. It is God
explicitly telling us what He desires from us.
David lists some of the things the Bible does: Since it is perfect it revives the soul. In
times of weariness the Bible restores us.
It gives hope to the defeated, strength to the discouraged, guidance to the confused,
and peace to the dying.
The Word of God gives us the perspective that we need for life.
Second, because Gods Word is trustworthy it makes wise the simple. The Bible cuts
through our defenses and the nonsense that often portrays as knowledge.
It speaks to us truthfully about our heart, the reality of sin, the need for repentance, and
the way that is right.
A person can be highly educated yet lack true wisdom. They can be wonderfully
competent in their work yet still be lost. True wisdom starts with the fear (or respect for)
the Lord.
That respect is seen foremost in our willingness to listen to what He tells us.
Third, because the Law is Right (or straight) it brings joy to the heart. This is just the
opposite of what unbelievers believe.
They resist reading and following Gods revelation because they believe it will spoil all
their fun. They are wrong. Sinful behavior can be fun but it isnt fulfilling. It doesnt really
give us what we are looking for.
Many people relate to the Bible much like men tend to relate to instructions for how to
work or assemble something.
Many men lay the instructions aside because they feel 1) they are smart enough to
figure out things on their own and 2) people who write instructions only confuse what is
plain.
However, in my experience, when I set the instructions aside, the result is whatever I
am doing takes long, must be redone, creates frustration for everyone, and eventually
results in a mad search for the instructions that I put it aside.
Gods Law gives us the directions we need for a fulfilled life. God wants us to know joy.
He wants us to experience His love, His forgiveness, and His commitment to those who
are His own.
He wants us to even find peace and even joy in death because it is not the end we must
avoid; it is a new beginning and the reward for which we strive.
Fourth, Since the Law is Radiant it serves as a light for our path. When you walk
around in the dark you will run into things and hurt yourself. The Bible gives light to our
path so we can avoid what is unpleasant and discover what is good.
Fifth, the Law of the Lord is Pure so it endures forever. The Word of God never goes
out of date. It never is irrelevant. It never changes direction. This is because it reveals
the ENDURING truth.
Finally because the Word of the Lord is sure, there is great reward in following that
Word. To put it in todays words David is saying, Gods Word is better than chocolate,
and more satisfying than the worlds biggest trophy.
In verse 11 David says, the benefits of Gods Word are twofold: it warns us of danger
and it brings reward to those who obey.

Puritan John Bunyan had it right when he said of the Bible, This Book will keep you
from sin, or sin will keep you from this Book.


The Bible warns us of the pitfalls that most do not even see. It reveals the lies that
Satan will try to get us to believe.

It shows us the emptiness of what often is celebrated as knowledge. However, it is
one thing to be warned and entirely another thing to hear the warning.
David tells us that we can not only know that there is a God, we can also know this God
personally. We can know Him because: 1) He is clearly seen in what He has made (the
argument from origin, design and moral core) and 2) He has spoken to us in His Word.
When we come to the New Testament we discover that God has not only spoken to us
in His Word. But even that is not all. He has most clearly revealed Himself through His
Son. If you want to know who God is, look at and listen to Jesus.
God has revealed Himself because He wants to have a relationship with us. He created
us for this purpose. God is present and eager for a relationship with us.
Responding to the Revealed God V12-14

When we pay attention to what God has told us about Himself in nature, our
conscience, His Word, and through His Son, two things will happen.
First, we will be motivated to turn to this God who has reached out to us.
So, do you believe in God? If you do, is it a merely intellectual belief or is it personal and
passionate. Have you turned to this God to find meaning, purpose, direction, and new
life?
Are you willing to trust His provision for your life in Christ? Are you willing to listen to
and follow His counsel for your life?
There are many people who believe IN God but they do not BELIEVE God. In other
words their faith is academic rather than personal. What kind of faith do you possess?
Second, David asks God to search Him. He asks God to expose the sin and rebellion in
his life so that his life might change and life a life that is pleasing to the Lord.
He asks the Lord to expose his rationalizations, justifications, and lame excuses.
He does this because he knows that any leftovers of sin in life will be a barrier between
us and the great God we serve.
David wants nothing to hinder this relationship. He wants to serve and honor this
magnificent God in every breath he takes.
Do you want to know God? You can. God is not silent. He is not hiding. I encourage you
to go outside and really notice the world in which we live.
Look for His fingerprints in creation. Marvel at the intricacies of a flower and the wonder
of a human life. Ask yourself the simple question: why is there something rather than
nothing?
Think about your values. Where did they come from? Is there a moral standard that is
universal? If so, where did that standard come from? Who is it that placed this law in our
hearts and minds?
Pick up the Bible. Dont just read it academically. Dont just seek to master stories and
details.
Listen to what God is telling you about Himself in the stories, the commands and even
the judgments.
Read about Jesus and observe Gods character as it is revealed in His Life, Death, and
Resurrection.
Listen to the clear teaching of the apostles as they bring all the pieces together under
the leadership of the Holy Spirit.
God exists and He has clearly revealed Himself to us.