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by Kevin Pauley
The completeness or sufficiency of the Scriptures
It rises from one end of the heavens and circles to their other end; nothing is hidden from its heat. The instruction of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the LORD is trustworthy, making the inexperienced wise. - Psalm 19:6-7 HCSB
The first six verses of this Psalm teach the reader about God’s general revelation. The writer demonstrates that it is possible to know of God’s existence simply by observing the heavens. This is a gift given to all of mankind. “Their message has gone out to all the earth, and their words to the ends of the inhabited world.”
Then the Psalmist describes the sun in a hymn using beautiful metaphors. The point of the metaphor is that the sun’s effects are felt throughout the earth and nothing is hidden from its heat. This is an interesting point, by the way, because the average person would have said that nothing is hidden from its “light.” However, any cave dwelling creature, or some animal crawling along the bottom of the ocean, while being in total darkness is not free of the thermal energy showered upon our biosphere by Sol.
But, just as the sun’s effects are inescapable, so the effects and advantages of God’s specific revelation in the Scriptures are conclusively felt by all of mankind.[1] The same great Lord, who created the sun so that we may enjoy its life-giving power, inspired His instruction with soul-warming wisdom.
Contrary to modern deconstructionists, historical revisionists and higher textual critics, the Psalmist declares this instruction to be perfect.[2] God’s Word is the perfect transcript of His glory, the exact expression of the Holy Spirit as He used the varied vocabularies, languages, temperaments and spiritual gifts of the various human writers.
Just as nature reflects God’s glory and speaks of His unfathomable power, so the Scriptures perfectly describe His grace and mercy within the limits of human language. The Word of God is not like the toes of the prophet’s statue,[3] all mixed up with clay here and iron there. It is not a conglomeration of human and divine elements. Like the Messiah Himself, also called the Word, it is a perfect hypostatic blend of God/Man designed to bring about our salvation. Like the Messianic Word, it too is without defect and fully capable of delivering us from our sins if only we will yield to its healthful prescriptions.
The poor soul waits in the darkness of spiritual pre-dawn, shivering in the cold and inhospitable kingdom of sin. But wait! There in the distance, rising in glory is the Word of God, granting its illuminating wisdom[4] to all those who are humble enough to yield to its effects. Let those who have eyes to see,[5] see God’s perfect instructions and be glad.
[2] tamim Strong’s #8549; complete, whole, entire, sound, healthful, unimpaired, innocent or possessing integrity
Kevin Pauley is a pastor and writer. He lives in Illinois with his wife, Lynn, their five children and two dogs. His internet address is Berea.
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