Intro: During this Lenten season, every devotional will begin with a quote from C.S. Lewis (author and theologian), followed by two readings: 1) A passage from the Psalter and 2) a writing from one of the Old Testament prophets or New Testament authors. We will look at both passages as a whole through the fulfilling work and wisdom of Christ—Truth.
God has written his law or instruction upon believing human hearts; in so doing he has also given us a love for his will and his ways, as well as a hatred of sin because we are positioned to care for his world.
“In science we have been reading only the notes to a poem;
in Christianity we find the poem itself.” (C.S. Lewis, Miracles)
In our passage from the Psalter, today, David reminds us nature becomes the scientific evidence or proof of God’s existence and creative power. As we look up with wonder and observe the beauty of the heavens, we see the perfect wisdom of God in orderly and rhythmic motion each day. Oh, how I long to see the Lord’s wisdom and instruction guiding human life the same way; but of course, I realize this is something only God can accomplish!
Psalm 19:1-6 A psalm of David.
1
The heavens proclaim the glory of God.
The skies display his craftsmanship.
2
Day after day they continue to speak;
night after night they make him known.
3
They speak without a sound or word;
their voice is never heard.
4
Yet their message has gone throughout the earth,
and their words to all the world.
God has made a home in the heavens for the sun.
5
It bursts forth like a radiant bridegroom after his wedding.
It rejoices like a great athlete eager to run the race.
6
The sun rises at one end of the heavens
and follows its course to the other end.
Nothing can hide from its heat.
In our passage today from the prophet Jeremiah, God is making arrangements to put into place a way for humanity to operate in the wisdom and nature of God. In Christianity, believers are to be the evidence of salvation from sin and spiritual death. The proof is manifest as believers share God’s supernatural and life-changing love, mercy and grace with the world. Because the entire human race has been “infected” with sin—transgression or rebellion against God—only God can provide the proper Remedy—Jesus.
Jeremiah 31:31-34 “The day is coming,” says the Lord, “when I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel and Judah. 32 This covenant will not be like the one I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand and brought them out of the land of Egypt. They broke that covenant, though I loved them as a husband loves his wife,” says the Lord.
33 “But this is the new covenant I will make with the people of Israel after those days,” says the Lord. “I will put my instructions deep within them, and I will write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. 34 And they will not need to teach their neighbors, nor will they need to teach their relatives, saying, ‘You should know the Lord.’ For everyone, from the least to the greatest, will know me already,” says the Lord. “And I will forgive their wickedness, and I will never again remember their sins.”
Prayer: Lord, because You have opened our hearts to the Truth, believers can be the ongoing evidence of Your presence within humanity. Thank you for making a way to save us. Now, we can “be” the living proof of your wisdom that brings spiritual change. Lord, may You be the sought after medicine this sinful world desperately needs. In Jesus’ name. Amen.