Christians often wrestle with the question of how they can be used by God and this is often born out of a sincere zeal to see God glorified. Yet, as we pray for clarity in the stewardship of our gifts, we should keep in mind certain priority-correcting passages of Scripture. Psalm 19 is such a passage.
The Real Danger
Psalm 19 is a hymn of praise, extoling God for revealing himself in his creation and his Word. After meditating on how the world and the Word glorify the Lord, David’s thoughts turn to how he can glorify God. Yet, surprisingly David makes no mention of spiritual gifts and abilities.
Instead, after considering God’s perfect Word, David is suddenly made painfully aware of his sin and begins pleading with God to forgive him and purify his heart.
In verse 13, David asks that these sins would not have dominion over him.
David recognizes that his greatest danger isn’t failing to make the Hall of Faith, but failing to live a godly life. Sin only wants to destroy us. In the words of John Owen, it is the grave that is never satisfied.[1] Fighting sin is like a spiritual chess match. We might think, “Oh, I only lost one pawn.” But every move in a chess game isn’t just to take a pawn or a knight, it’s to achieve check mate. We must realize that Satan is constantly strategizing, planning each move until…check mate. His plan is to destroy us. “You may be careless about your soul, he is not.”[2] David rightly asks God to rescue him from being mastered by sin and we should do the same.
A Crucial Request
David follows his confession with a continuation of his request for spiritual transformation. Just as God’s creation pours out God-glorifying speech (Ps. 19:1) David asks God to make his speech equally pleasing and glorifying to God. David’s prayer is for inward and outward holiness.
We shouldn’t miss the significance of what David asks for.
We could list a number of Christian leaders who have fallen into disqualifying sin and this grieves us. That’s why it’s noteworthy that David asks for holiness.
Pastor Robert Murray M’Cheyne said, “The greatest need of my people is my personal holiness.” What this world needs more than anything is not our giftedness, but our godliness.
David doesn’t say, “Lord, the heavens declare your glory. Give me giftedness so I too can display your glory! Give me talents and a platform to proclaim your praise. Give me followers and make me an influencer!” No. His request is so simple and humble: “Lord, let the meditations of my heart and the words of my mouth be acceptable in your sight.” Let David’s prayer be ours: O, Lord, please make me godly.
We should use our abilities to glorify God and serve others, but most importantly our very lives should be a sermon that pours forth God’s praise day and night. What we need most, what your spouse needs most, what your kids need most, what your co-workers and classmates need most, and what God wants most, is not giftedness, but godliness.
[1] John Owen, Overcoming Sin and Temptation, ed. Kelly M. Kapic and Justin Taylor, Redesign edition (Crossway, 2015).
[2] J.C. Ryle, Thoughts for Young Men (London: Banner of Truth, 2015). 13
Mike McGregor
Mike McGregor (MDiv, Reformed Theological Seminary) is Director of College Ministry at First Baptist Church in Durham, N.C. You can follow him on Twitter at @m5mcgregor.
