As I read Psalm 19 this is the picture in my head…. David is on the roof of his palace enjoying some much needed alone time with God. He has with him 2 things – his personal journal and a copy of the Scriptures. He is looking around at God’s creation and is filled with awesome wonder at everything that he sees. He cannot help but write down his amazement at what the Creator has established as he views the sun, the sky, the clouds; as he feels the warmth on his skin and the wind on his face. He is drawn to worship and marvels through his pen at what is so obvious before him – the presence of Almighty God.
Then he picks up the Scriptures which he has brought with him. As he begins to read he again is struck with awe at what God has provided for His people:
7 The law of the Lord is perfect,
reviving the soul.
The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy,
making wise the simple.
8 The precepts of the Lord are right,
giving joy to the heart.
The commands of the Lord are radiant,
giving light to the eyes…
How wonderful is the Word of God. And as David reflects on the awesomeness of creation and the awesomeness of Scripture he begins to reflect on how awful is his sinfulness. And he pleads with God to keep him from sin. He pleads with God that everything that he says and even thinks would be acceptable to Him. He desperately wants a right relationship with the Lord – his Rock and his Redeemer.
One of the things that I learn from David through the Psalms is the power of journaling my prayers. 2 reasons: 1) So that I can go back and be reminded of how God was teaching me and what He was showing me, and 2) So that future generations can go back and see what God was doing in my life.
As I close I have a new picture in my head. It is a picture of my great grandkids – who stumble upon a journal in the attic – a journal that I had written way back in 2012. They begin to read about my reflections on God and see how I prayed that my great grandkids would live with boldness and courage and humility. That they would be filled with joy and live sacrificially surrendered lives. That they would be leaders in their church and lovers of their families. And that as they read they are drawn to worship the awesome God of creation and drawn to read the awesome Word of God. Just as I am as I read Psalm 19.
We all need a little “roof time”.
This really touched my heart today! Thanks for putting me “on the roof”.