More Desirable than Gold

Sermon

Psalm 19 part 3

More Desirable than Gold

 

Today we continue with our series in Psalm 19. As a reminder, many conservative theologians divide this psalm into three sections. The first section –verses 1-6 – speak of God’s general revelation of Himself to humanity through creation itself. His existence is clearly evident to all who choose to not ignore it; Therefore, all who reject the obvious remain guilty before God and will be without excuse at the Judgment of Christ.

 

The second section – verses 7-11 – speak of God’s special revelation through which He communicates with humanity through the Bible about everything necessary to receive eternal life.  

 

The third section – verses 12-14 (which we will look at next week) – tell what the godly and appropriate response ought to be to His general and special revelations.

 

We’ve seen, though only briefly, what are the inevitable and tragic spiritual COSTS of refusing to hear what God says to us through His general and special revelations. One cost is that our refusal stabs at God’s heart, even as He lavishes His love on them. The other cost is that we harden our own hearts to the point of permanent spiritual blindness and we become incapable of ever hearing God’s voice calling us to Himself.

 

Today we move further into Psalm 19; But before we do that, let’s look once again at the entire psalm in context:  “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament [e.g. the skies] shows His handiwork. Day unto day utters speech, and night unto night reveals knowledge. There is no speech nor language where their voice is not heard. Their line has gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them He has placed a tent for the sun, Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber; It rejoices as a strong man to run his course. Its rising is from one end of the heavens, And its circuit to the other end of them; And there is nothing hidden from its heat. The law of the Lord is perfect, restoring the soul; The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. The precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; The judgments of the Lord are true; they are righteous altogether. They are more desirable than gold, yes, than much fine gold; Sweeter also than honey and the drippings of the honeycomb. Moreover, by them Your servant is warned; In keeping them there is great reward.

 

“Who can discern his errors? Acquit me of hidden faults. Also keep back Your servant from presumptuous sins; Let them not rule over me; Then I will be blameless, And I shall be acquitted of great transgression. Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my rock and my Redeemer.”

 

Last week we looked at verse seven: The law of the Lord is perfect, restoring the soul; The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.  Today we turn to verses 8-11: “The precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; The commandment of the Lord is pure enlightening the eyes. The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; The judgments of the Lord are true; they are righteous altogether. They are more desirable than gold, yes, than much fine gold; Sweeter also than honey and the drippings of the honeycomb. Moreover, by them Your servant is warned; In keeping them there is great reward.”

 

Reading quickly through verses 7-11, the psalmist seems to use synonyms for God’s Word: The LAW, the TESTIMONY, the PRECEPTS, the COMMANDMENT – all of which is a common literary device in Hebrew poetry. In the case of this psalm, each noun emphasizes a different aspect of Scripture’s character and purpose.

 

So, what’s the purpose of God’s law? James points us in the right direction: “In humility receive the word implanted [i.e. by God in your hearts], which is able to save your souls. (James 1:21)

 

The apostle Paul also answers the question: And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son (Romans 8:28-29a)

 

Throughout the breadth and length of Scripture, God reveals His heart, His passion, and His delight for you and me for one purpose: To save us from the totality of the effects and the consequences of our sins by conforming us to the image of His Son, Jesus.

 

That’s what God’s special revelation within Psalm 19 is all about – His law converts our soul, His testimony makes us wise, His precepts rejoice our heart, His commandments open our eyes to truth – ALL of which rejoices God’s heart for those who seek Him.  Listen to the prophet Zephaniah: The Lord your God is in your midst—a warrior bringing victory. He will create calm with his love; he will rejoice over you with singing.” (Zephaniah 3:17)

 

Did you get that? Almighty God sings over you who seek Him! I do not doubt what He sings is a love song – a love song to you.

 

Which brings us now to verses 9-11 which are a culmination of sorts to His message in the preceding two verses about His law, testimony, commandments and so forth. “The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; The judgments of the Lord are true; they are righteous altogether. They are more desirable than gold, yes, than much fine gold; Sweeter also than honey and the drippings of the honeycomb. Moreover, by them Your servant is warned; In keeping them there is great reward.”

 

Let’s pause at the ‘fear of the Lord.”  The Hebrew word for ‘fear’ can be translated as fear, terror, dread, respect, or deep reverence. The same is true in the Greek – although, in fact, we get the word ‘phobia’ from the Greek ‘phobos. In any case, the context of the verse in which the Hebrew or Greek words appear dictate the correct meaning of the word.

 

I believe the correct meaning of the word in verse 9 of this psalm is ‘fear’ – as in, ‘be afraid.’ I believe this because of what David writes next in this verse which speaks of the judgments of the Lord – as in the decrees, or the verdicts of a Judge. And if THAT doesn’t strike fear or even terror into the hearts of the listeners, then nothing will.

 

There will be no appeals to a higher Authority at the Final Judgment Seat of Christ. There will be no excuses for those who will stand accused of their rebellions and their persistent rejection of God’s offer for forgiveness through Christ Jesus. There will be no acceptable justifications for their lives or lifestyles. The judgments of the Lord are forever true and righteous because His judgments are rooted in His Holy Character.

 

Yes, let every Christian warn others along with the Psalmist: “He is coming to judge the earth. He will judge the world in righteousness and the peoples in His faithfulness.” Psalm 96:13b; And again, “Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne; Lovingkindness and truth go before You.” Psalm 89:14 

 

Fear – whether reverential fear or a terrified fear – fear of the Almighty holy God is a great reason to obey His laws because they trumpet His WARNING of great danger to those who refuse to listen to Him.

 

When Moses received the Ten Commandments from God on Mount Sinai, the Scripture tells us: “All the people perceived the thunder and the lightning flashes and the sound of the trumpet and the mountain smoking; and when the people saw it, they trembled and stood at a distance . . . Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid; for God has come in order to test you, and in order that the fear of Him may remain with you, so that you may not sin.” Exodus 20:18-20

 

The Lord Jesus did not soft-pedal this warning about fearing God. Listen to Him in Luke’s gospel: “I say to you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that have no more that they can do. ⁵ But I will warn you whom to fear: fear the One who, after He has killed, has authority to cast into hell; yes, I tell you, fear Him! (Luke 12:4-5)

 

Listen, please. This is important. God loves sinners. We have GOT to get that into our souls. God LOVES to forgive sinners. But He is not one to be mocked. Again, hear the Psalmist in the second psalm: “Now therefore, O kings, show discernment; Take warning, O judges of the earth. Worship the Lord with reverence and rejoice with trembling. Do homage to the Son, that He not become angry, and you perish in the way, for His wrath may soon be kindled. How blessed are all who take refuge in Him!” (Psalm 2:10-12)

 

Yes, how blessed are ALL who take refuge in Him. How blessed are all who find eternal safety from His wrath under the sacrificial blood of Calvary’s cross. No wonder, again, that the Holy Spirit moved the author of Hebrews to write: “See to it that you do not refuse Him who is speaking. For if those did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, much less will we escape who turn away from Him who warns from heaven . . . for our God is a consuming fire.”  Hebrews 12:25, 29

 

So, back to our text in this 19th psalm. David speaks of God’s Judgments, saying: “They are more desirable than gold, yes, than much fine gold; Sweeter also than honey and the drippings of the honeycomb. Moreover, by them Your servant is warned; In keeping them there is great reward.”

 

It is by those judgments that everyone with ears to hear is MERCIFULLY WARNED of the terrible consequences of rebellion against God and His word.

 

What consequences are those? You don’t need a degree in theology or philosophy to recognize them. The consequences of rejecting God’s love result in broken lives, broken families, broken communities, and broken nations. Behind the smiles and the laughter there remains in those whose hearts are not yet hardened a sense of hopelessness that disturbs sleep and casts shadows on their day.

 

I mentioned last time Mark Twain’s snide remark that it’s not what he didn't understand about the Bible that troubled him, but it’s what he DID understand about the Bible that troubled him.

 

But like so many people who have no use for Christ, Twain was not satisfied with his own rejection of God’s mercy and love, but through his never-ending criticism of Christianity, he destroyed the faith of his beloved wife, Olivia. Not long after their marriage she stopped attending church. Many years later, when their cherished 24-year-old daughter died of spinal meningitis, he tried to console her, saying: “If it comforts you to lean on your faith, do so.” But by then Twain’s cynicism had done its work. A despondent Olivia replied, “I cannot. I do not have any faith left.”

 

Several years later, after Olivia died, Twain sadly admitted: “I took Livy’s religion away from her and gave her nothing—worse than nothing—in return.”

 

Oh, if only Mark Twain had bowed his knee to God before he lost so much – and before he TOOK so much from the woman he loved. God’s word warns all who turn a stubborn shoulder to God – he warns them, He pleads with them – repent.

 

I must pause here for this important clarification: Scripture ASSURES us there is a divine, love-driven REASON God brings brokenness and hopelessness into a life. Listen to the Psalmist: (Psalm 119:67, 71, 75) “Before I was afflicted, I went astray, but now I keep Your word . . . It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I may learn Your statutes . . . I know, O Lord, that Your judgments are righteous, and that in faithfulness You have afflicted me.”

 

And now Hebrews: (Hebrews 12:5-11) “My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor faint when you are reproved by Him; ⁶ For those whom the Lord loves He disciplines, and He scourges every son whom He receives.” ⁷ It is for discipline that you endure; God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom his father does not discipline? But if you are without discipline, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate children and not sons . . . but [God] disciplines us for our good, so that we may share His holiness. All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness.”

 

In whatever way we may choose to understand it, God brings sorrow and affliction  or He allows sorrow and affliction for only one purpose: To restore the lost into His Family. That’s the entire message of the gospels. It’s the entire message of those three parables in Luke chapter 15 – the Lost Sheep, the Lost Coin, and the Lost Son. If it’s been a while since you’ve read them, I hope you will do so before the day is over.

 

But it is not only the warnings that Psalm 19 alludes to. The psalmist ALSO speaks of God’s REWARDS to all who by faith keep His law, precepts, testimony, and commandments.

 

Those rewards? For one, there is the incomprehensible promise of eternal life to those who deserve nothing short of an eternity in hell. We do ourselves great disservice to gloss over that promise which is the summit of all promises. But there are rewards in this life as well.

 

For example – and I must be brief now for the sake of time – Because we are adopted children of God through our faith in Christ, we have God’s assurance that He hears our prayers. This does not necessarily mean, of course, that He always answers those prayers according to OUR desires; But the mature Christian knows God answers our prayers according to what He knows to be our NEEDS.

 

The faithful follower of Christ also has the assurance of eternal life, the reward of being able to face death without any fear. This also is not anything to gloss over. If you’ve sat with people on their deathbed, you know the peace that can settle over a believer as he or she faces eternity.

 

I’ll never forget what my friend and mentor, Dr Daniel Taub, told me as he lay in a hospital bed some 30 years ago. I asked him what it felt like to know he was dying. He said to me: “I go from life to life. I have fought the good fight. I have finished the course. I have kept the faith.”

 

The unbeliever cannot ever be assured that God even hears their prayers; And worse, the unbeliever has absolutely no assurance whatsoever of eternal life. Quite the opposite. The unbeliever is only assured of eternal agony in hell and the Lake of Fire.

 

I’ve shared the last words of some famous atheists before, and I do so again because of the point I hope it makes regarding the warnings inherent in Psalm 19:

 

Thomas Payne was a popular atheistic writer in the American colonies, prior to the Revolutionary War. As he lay on his deathbed, he cried to those around him: "Stay with me, for God's sake; I cannot bear to be left alone . . . I am on the edge of hell here alone. If ever the Devil had an agent, I have been that one."

 

Sir Francis Newport was the head of the English Atheist Club. As he lay on his deathbed, he said to those gathered around him: "You need not tell me there is no God, for I know there is one, and that I am in his presence! You need not tell me there is no hell. I feel myself already slipping. Wretches, cease your idle talk about there being hope for me! I know I am lost forever! Oh, that fire! Oh, the insufferable pangs of hell!”

 

I close with these words: “The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; The judgments of the Lord are true; they are righteous altogether. They are more desirable than gold, yes, than much fine gold; Sweeter also than honey and the drippings of the honeycomb. Moreover, by them Your servant is warned; In keeping them there is great reward.”

 

The scriptures from Genesis through Revelation are God’s Special revelation to a world which He loves so deeply, so passionately, that He gave His only Son as an atoning sacrifice to pay for our sins. It really is the fool, the one who is to be most pitied, who scoffs at such love and mercy.

 

So, let us not stop praying for those who we know who are still looking for loopholes in God’s warning.