Pick Up Your LIfe-Map

God’s glory is on tour in the skies, God-craft on exhibit across the horizon. Madame Day holds classes every morning, Professor Night lectures each evening. Their words aren’t heard, their voices aren’t recorded, But their silence fills the earth: unspoken truth is spoken everywhere. God makes a huge dome for the sun—a superdome! The morning sun’s a new husband leaping from his honeymoon bed, The daybreaking sun an athlete racing to the tape. That’s how God’s Word vaults across the skies from sunrise to sunset, Melting ice, scorching deserts, warming hearts to faith. The revelation of God is whole and pulls our lives together. The signposts of God are clear and point out the right road. The life-maps of God are right, showing the way to joy. The directions of God are plain and easy on the eyes. God’s reputation is twenty-four-carat gold, with a lifetime guarantee. The decisions of God are accurate down to the nth degree. God’s Word is better than a diamond, better than a diamond set between emeralds. You’ll like it better than strawberries in spring, better than red, ripe strawberries. There’s more: God’s Word warns us of danger and directs us to hidden treasure. Otherwise how will we find our way? Or know when we play the fool? Clean the slate, God, so we can start the day fresh! Keep me from stupid sins, from thinking I can take over your work; Then I can start this day sun-washed, scrubbed clean of the grime of sin. These are the words in my mouth; these are what I chew on and pray. Accept them when I place them on the morning altar, O God, my Altar-Rock, God, Priest-of-My-Altar.
~Psalm 19, The Message Remix


God’s Word is so powerful! This chapter alone expresses just how great the Bible is. Can’t you just taste the fresh strawberries mentioned and see the beautiful diamond described? The Bible is far greater in comparison to that! Jesus’ Word is expressive yet deeply penetrating–it goes down to our innermost thoughts, actions, words, and desires and cuts right to our heart. Have you ever had someone say exactly what you were feeling deep down inside? It is refreshing, yet kind of scary at the same time! God’s Word refreshes us, yet it is also a guide to make us into the people God wants us to be. Psalm 19 tells us that God’s Word has a lifetime guarantee to lead us in the right way. The Bible isn’t some stuffy old book that should sit on our nightstand to collect dust. It should be rugged and used–from daily guidance and study. You cannot be a Christ-follower by sitting on the couch. Following Jesus is truly that–following Him, but first you must pick up His life-map.