It’s the stuff that comedy routines are made of . . . talking wife, tuned-out husband . . . she’s sitting at the breakfast table conversing, his nose is in the paper (or his ipad) concentrating on the previous days’ sports scores . . . she’s sitting on the couch relating how her day went, he’s comatose in the lazy-boy watching the tube . . . she’s saying, “Honey, I need to talk to you”, he’s hearing, “Blah, blah, blah!” You know the routines I’m talking about . . . they can be kind of funny because they can be so reflective of a reality we’ve at least seen . . . if not reflective of a reality we’ve personally been part of.

But this morning, as I’m reading Psalm 19, it kind of hits home. Not that this song of David is an ode to talking wives and inattentive husbands . . . but that it is a reminder of how often God’s “laying it down” and I’m just not “picking it up” . . .

The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims His handiwork. Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge. There is no speech, nor are there words, whose voice is not heard. Their measuring line goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. (Psalm 19:1-4a ESV)

Day in, day out the heavens declare the glory of God. Night by night by night, knowledge of the Creator is dished up on a platter for those with eyes to see and ears to hear through His abiding handiwork. It’s not conveyed with words, but a voice that goes all through the earth. It’s not an audible voice but the words are served up to the end of the world. But how often does the Father want to “talk to me” of His glory, and I’m tuned to another station? Probably more often than I care to admit.

But the heavens and the skies are just the “trailer.” His glory and His handiwork revealed in the sun coming up every morning and the stars displayed every night, are an invitation to put down the paper (or the ipad) . . . to turn off the tube . . . to tune into His voice . . . and to “listen” further through His Word. Beyond the “general revelation” of God’s magnificent character and awesome power through creation, there is the “specific revelation” of His written Word. The Word of God which revives the soul . . . makes the simple wise . . . causes the heart to rejoice . . . and brings light to the eyes. It is a forever Word . . it is a true and righteous Word . . . it is a Word which speaks to those who desire to listen (19:7-9).

The heavens declare His glory and power . . . the Word reveals His grace and purposes . . . the sky proclaims His handiwork . . . the Scriptures shows us God’s heart. O’ that I would be more like the psalmist and less like the deaf guy at the breakfast table . . . that my heart would receive the unspoken words of creation . . . that my soul would thirst and hunger to know His voice through His Word . . . that it would be my delight . . .

More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb. (Psalm 19:10 ESV)

And then, might I enter into the conversation. Having heard His voice, might I respond. Having recognized afresh His glory, might I praise Him. Having been fed anew by His Word, might I worship Him. Having “picked up” something of what He’s “laying down” might I engage with the glorious God of the heavens and offer Him my own words of thanksgiving . . . might I accept the invitation to interact with Him and speak words of adoration within His holy presence. Not that my words are anything, but that He deserves everything . . .

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my rock and my Redeemer. (Psalm 19:14 ESV)

Let the conversation begin . . .