14 day plan

Navigating a “Crisis of Faith”

Day 10 of 14

NIV

Psalms 19:1-4

Psalm 19

For the director of music. A psalm of David.

1The heavens declare the glory of God;

the skies proclaim the work of his hands.

2Day after day they pour forth speech;

night after night they reveal knowledge.

3They have no speech, they use no words;

no sound is heard from them.

4Yet their voice goes out into all the earth,

their words to the ends of the world.

In the heavens God has pitched a tent for the sun.

Reflection:  Some claim that Christianity is not rational, which is quite wrong. The truth is much more intriguing. Christianity is not just rational; it is more than rational. Rationality may actually get you a long way towards God, but God has seen to it that the final step will always require faith. This requirement prevents Christianity from being the preserve of academics only.

But make no mistake about it, Christianity makes sense rationally. The universe shows evidence of very precise levels of design. Electromagnetism and gravity are two of the four forces that have built the universe. As we’ve said before in this series of devotions: if the strengths of these forces had differed by an insanely tiny amount (a trillion, trillion, trillionth), there would be no life in the universe.

And here’s another extraordinary thing. It appears that humankind has been given exactly the right intellectual ability to unlock the secrets of how the universe works. It seems that God wants us to know. Why? Because he wants his creation to point to him (Psalm 19:1-4).

So, allow the wonders of the universe to soothe your crisis of faith.

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, you are a rational God who has made a rational universe, and you invite our rational minds to wonder at it and be led to you. Forgive me when I take the miracle of life for granted and give me a heart that will always say “wow!” at the marvels of your creation.

Psalms 19:1-14

Psalm 19

For the director of music. A psalm of David.

1The heavens declare the glory of God;

the skies proclaim the work of his hands.

2Day after day they pour forth speech;

night after night they reveal knowledge.

3They have no speech, they use no words;

no sound is heard from them.

4Yet their voice goes out into all the earth,

their words to the ends of the world.

In the heavens God has pitched a tent for the sun.

5It is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber,

like a champion rejoicing to run his course.

6It rises at one end of the heavens

and makes its circuit to the other;

nothing is deprived of its warmth.

7The law of the Lord is perfect,

refreshing the soul.

The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy,

making wise the simple.

8The precepts of the Lord are right,

giving joy to the heart.

The commands of the Lord are radiant,

giving light to the eyes.

9The fear of the Lord is pure,

enduring forever.

The decrees of the Lord are firm,

and all of them are righteous.

10They are more precious than gold,

than much pure gold;

they are sweeter than honey,

than honey from the honeycomb.

11By them your servant is warned;

in keeping them there is great reward.

12But who can discern their own errors?

Forgive my hidden faults.

13Keep your servant also from willful sins;

may they not rule over me.

Then I will be blameless,

innocent of great transgression.

14May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart

be pleasing in your sight,

Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.