blind experts (psalm 19:8)

Psalm 19:8

the precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes

God's revelation to us - about himself, ourselves and how life works - is right and pure, unlike the ideas we invent for ourselves about how we think the world does or should work. It would seem ridiculous for me to claim to be an expert in Physics compared to Einstein for example, but we all seem to think that we're an expert in life. Maybe God, the creator of life, can give us a bit of advice, but otherwise we've pretty much got it sorted! We are self proclaimed experts on life but we are actually walking around in darkness.

proverbs 14:12 There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.

"only in the commandments of God that we find the difference between good and evil laid down, and that it is in vain to seek it elsewhere, since whatever men devise of themselves is mere filth and refuse, corrupting the purity of the life. He farther intimates that men, with all their acuteness, are blind, and always wander in darkness, until they turn their eyes to the light of heavenly doctrine. Whence it follows, that none are truly wise but those who take God for their conductor and guide, following the path which he points out to them, and who are diligently seeking after the peace which he offers and presents by his word." Calvin

It's God's word that opens our eyes to see things asthey really are and that news - the depths of our sin but the wonders of his grace, should cause our hearts to rejoice.

reviving wisdom (psalm 19:7)

Psalm 19:7

The law of the Lord is perfect, revivng the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.

God's law revives! When we feel drained our burned out, we think we need "time off" from what God wants us to do, but it is what God says that will revive us. We see it as a burden, but it is the best way to live, it is lifegiving, it is designed by the author of life! Without Jesus it condemns us, but because Jesus fulfilled it, we can joyfully follow Him.

God's law also makes us wise. We don't apply our wisdom in order to interpret the Bible, it is the Bible that gives us wisdom. The Bible s a book that reads us!

the sun (psalm 19:4b-6)

psalm 19:4b-6

In them he has set a tent for the sun, which comes out like a bridegroom leaving his chamber, and, like a strong man, runs its course with joy. Its rising is from one end of the heavens and its circuit to the end of them, and there is nothing hidden from its heat.

David uses the sun as another example of creation teaching us about the creator. It is described as a bridegroom leaving his chamber, the newlywed "glowing" couple? Calvin says this refers to surpassing beauty, magnificent splendour. The sun allows us to see everything else but we can't look directly at it without being blinded due to its intense light. It is also like a strong man running a race, you can't stop it, it operates completely independantly from us, yet we are completely dependant on it. Nothing is hidden from its heat, nobody can choose to take the sun out of their life, it was there before us and will be there after us and we are able to live because it is there, not the other way around.

The sun teaches us about God  - he is so glorious that we couldn't stand to look directly at him, we are totally dependant on him for everything, we can't choose to opt out of living in his world (even though we act as if God is encroaching into our life!), we can't stop him, he does what he is going to do whether we like it or not. 

In revelation 21:23 we read about  "the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light". As important and massive and powerful as the sun is, God is more important and massive and powerful, and when we go to be with him, we wont need the sun any more!

without excuse (psalm 19:3-4b)

Psalm 19:3-4b

There is no speech, nor are there words, whose voice is not heard. Their voice goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world.

The thrust of these verses is that the "speech" of the universe telling us about the glory of God is everywhere and includes everyone. There is no one who has not heard this "voice". This idea is the key to the passage on idolatry in Romans 1:18-25

¹⁸ The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness, ¹⁹ since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. ²⁰ For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse. ²¹ For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. ²²²³ and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like a mortal human being and birds and animals and reptiles. ²⁴ Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. ²⁵ They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen.  Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools

Let's listen to what the voice of creation tells us about the creator, instead of supressing the truth.

creation and creator (psalm 19:1)

The first verse of psalm 19 tells us that creaton tells us about the glory of God. It doesn't say that creation is God (pantheism). Creaton and creator are seperate things, with the creator obviously superior. The universe can tell us many things about the wonderful creator, but the universe is something God made, not something He is

daily reminders (psalm 19:2)

psalm 19:2

day to day pours out speech and night to night reveals knowledge

Creation is always telling us about the creator. Are we listening? We assume that one day will follow the next, but the regular pattern of day following night following day should remain us of the faithfulness and reliability of God. He is unchanging in his position towards us. Even when we are faithless, he remains faithful. We rely on many things to support us that can't promise anything. God is perfectly reliable. We have no need to look elsewhere.

the skies speak (psalm 19:1)

Psalm 19:1

The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky proclaims his handiwork

Everything we see tells us something about God. Creation talks to us about the creator. When we look up, we see the sky (which appears to go on forever) or space (which does go on forever) and we should be reminded that God is bigger. God made everything we see, he is powerful. We can't go anywhere to escape being under the sky or heavens, God is everywhere, we are never cut off from his presence, there is nowehere that is outside his sphere of control. The sky fascinates us with clouds, sunrises and sunsets and tells us that God is creative. 

Are we listening to the voce of creation? It points towards a creator. Someone bigger, someone better, someone behind everything, someone in control of anything - humbling us (looking at the sky or thinking about space reminds us of how small we are) but at the same time making us more secure (knowing that God is not out of control). Creation also tells us that God is good, he is worthy of praise, he is glorious - we are amazed, speechless, breathtaken, emotional, stimulated when we consider creation, which is just a shadow of the creator!

"When we behold the heavens, we cannot but be elevated, by the contemplation of them, to Him who is their great Creator; and the beautiful arrangement and wonderful variety... together with the beauty and splendor which are manifest in them, cannot but furnish us with an evident proof of his providence. Scripture, indeed, makes known to us the time and manner of the creation; but the heavens themselves, although God should say nothing on the subject, proclaim loudly and distinctly enough that they have been fashioned by his hands: and this of itself abundantly suffices to bear testimony to men of his glory. As soon as we acknowledge God to be the supreme Architect, who has erected the beauteous fabric of the universe, our minds must necessarily be ravished with wonder at his infinite goodness, wisdom, and power." Calvin

seeking our own interests

We have an in-built tendency to seek our own interests instead of others. It's called sin! We are happy enough to think about others interests when it doesn't affect us too much. Or we are willing to put ourselves out when we think there will be some sort of return later. Paul's letter to the Philippians instructs the exact opposite. He encourages a counter-cultural attitude when he says in Philippians 2:4, "let each of you look not only to his own interests but also to the interests of others".

How does an obsession with my own interests affect my life?

• Do I have a high concern for my own comfort or, like Paul, am I viewing whatever happens to me as a way for the gospel to advance? (1:12-14)
• Do I feel a sense of rivalry with others or am I rejoicing that the gospel is being preached, even if those doing the preaching don't like me! (1:15-18)
• Am I living my life for something that will end when I die, or am I living my life for Jesus and look forward to being with him eternally (1:21-25)
• Do I see myself as more significant than others, or others more significant than myself? (2:4)
• Do I grumble and complain about most things? (2:14)
• Am I thinking about my own welfare or, like Timothy, genuinely concerned for the welfare of others? (2:19-22)
• Am I concerned about my own safety or, like Epaphroditus, willing to risk my life for the work of Christ? (2:29-30)
• Do I expect my own accomplishments to be impressive to others or God, or do I recognise them as rubbish and depend on Jesus' work instead of my own? (3:4-9)
• Is my mind set on earthly things or do I recognise that I am a citizen of heaven? (3:18-20)
• Am I anxious when things seem out of control, or do I pray and trust God (4:6-7)
• Do I think that getting something or achieving something will bring me contentment or have I learned to be content in any situation? (4:11-13)
• Am I generous with my money or do I give to support the needs of others? (4:15-17)

We probably don't do to well on this list. What's the answer? Look at Jesus. He was the one person who truly did not seek his own interests, but he gave everything up for us. He "made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross (2:5-11)". No matter how concerned we are with our own interests, we can't fix ourselves. Jesus took care of our needs, let's think about the needs of others.

philippians word clouds

chapter 1


chapter 2


chapter 3


chapter 4


whole book

focussed on grace (phil 4:23)

Philippians 4:23

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.

Paul finishes his letter to the Philippians in the same place he started - the grace of Jesus Christ. That is what it is all about. Grace gives him joy in prison. Grace affects Paul's approach to life and death. Grace is what we see in Jesus' incarnation and death. Grace is what motivates servants of the gospel like Timothy and Epaphroditus. Grace is what makes Paul count all his works as rubbish. Grace is what causes Paul to strive towards the goal of being with Christ. Grace inspires unity, humility and generousity. The message of the gospel, the grace shown to us through Jesus, is what defines the Christian life.

real people (phil 4:21-22)

Philippians 4:21-22

Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brothers who are with me greet you. All the saints greet you, especially those of Caeser's household.

Paul always has (usually extended) greetings in his letters. This is a community of believers. This is not Paul discharging information through an academic paper distrbuted to faceless learners. It involves real relationships between real people. that is how the christian life operates.

every need supplied (phil 4:19-20)

Philippians 4:19-20

And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen

God can and will supply every need we have. What we think our needs are may not actually be our greatest need. We think our greatest need is comfort, security, happiness. The greatest riches that God can give us is His glory, most clearly on display through Jesus Christ. My greatest need isn't for God to get me a job or a wife, my greatest need is to see who God is and what he has done in the purpose and work of Jesus Christ.

investment (phil 4:17-18)

Philippians 4:17-18

Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit. I have recieved full payment and more. I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God.

The talk about money in the last few verses is not a case of Paul trying to get rich but getting them to see that they are investing in the advanceof the gospel. Their investment is bearing fruit, the church is growing, people's lives are being transformed. This is worshipping God with money - an offering and sacrifice to God. This is the best thing to spend your money on. It is the only investment that lasts eternally.

generousity (phil 4:14-16)

philippians 4:14-16

yet it was kind of you to share in my trouble. And you philippians yourselves know that in the beginning of the gospel, when I left macedonia, no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only. Even in Thessalonica you sent me help for my needs once and again.

The giving of financial/material/physical aid is referred to as "sharing in trouble", "partnership in giving and receiving", "help". Are these the things that mark our Christian communities? Why are Christians know for being stingy rather than financially generous? It's because we don't recognise that everything is a gift. We don't believe God is sovereign - and so I think I need to look after myself. And we don't believe that God is good - we don't trust that God's plan is for our good. The worst thing that most people can imagine is that god would ask them to give away their money!

contentment (phil 4:10-13)

philippians 4:10-13

I rejoiced n the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. Indeed you were concerned for me but had no opportunity. Not that  am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

Paul exhibits contentment, a totally counter cultural attitude in today's society. Everyone wants to be content but we have all been conned into thinking we need x/y/z to be content. The advertising industry is built around creating discontent in us. We tend to be materially discontent and spiritually content, when it should be the other way around.

Paul is content in any situation, in any and every circumstance, when he is brought low and when he abounds, when he has plenty and when he is hungry. How? through Him (Jesus!) who gives Paul strength. It is because his contentment is found in Jesus, not in physical circumstances.

v13 is not some sort of "if you believe it you can achieve it" type thing, as if often gets used. It's not about you succeeding in sport, business or family life. It's about being content in every circumstances. Sadly, this verse is often used in a way that suggests God will help you to achieve the "plenty" that you "need" to be content!

practice (phil 4:9)

Philippians 4:9

what you have learned and received and heard and seen in me - practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

• Are we looking for examples of godly men and women to follow? We should see someone growing in their relationship with God and find out what they do, learn from them, listen to them, observe them. Why do we think that we've got all the answers in ourselves?
• Also, we should expect to practice these things, we can't expect it just to happen. relationships build through time and effort, not because we have to do that, but because we desire to.

positive thinking (phil 4:8)

philippians 4:8

Finally brothers, whatever s true, whatever is honourable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

We tend to spend more time thinkng about the negatives rather than the positives. "Don't do this" dominates our thinking rather than "How can I do this good thing?". We should be looking for evidences of God's grace, not always going straight to the problems. We should spend tme dwelling on things that fall into the categories listed above. Of course, the perfect example of all of these things is Jesus. He is truth, honourable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent and worthy of praise. We should spend time thinking about Him!