Day 30: Revelation; General and Special

Scripture
“The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.” Psalm 19:1 ESV

“In these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world.” Hebrews 1:2 ESV

Confessional Summary
The Belgic Confession says God makes Himself known in two ways. First, through “the creation, preservation, and government of the universe,” by which “all these things are enough to convict humans and to leave them without excuse.” Then it adds a second and greater way. God makes Himself known “more clearly and fully by His holy and divine Word, as far as we need for His glory and our salvation” (Belgic Confession, Articles 2–3).

Westminster presses the same distinction with pastoral urgency. The light of nature can show God’s goodness, wisdom, and power, but it cannot give the knowledge of God’s will “necessary unto salvation.” So the Lord revealed Himself “at sundry times, and in divers manners,” and committed His revelation to writing, so the church would be preserved and built up in the truth (WCF 1.1).

The Reformers insisted that nature can humble and convict, but only Scripture reveals God’s will for salvation and preserves the church in the truth.

Reflection
Psalm 19 is honest about what creation can and cannot do. The heavens declare glory. Day after day it pours out testimony without syllables or sermons. You can see power, order, and majesty in what God has made.

But the psalm does not stay in the sky. It moves to the Word, because sinners need more than visuals. We need truth that exposes, cleanses, and leads. Creation can tell you God is there. It cannot tell you how guilt is dealt with, how the heart is made new, or how the holy God receives the unholy.

What Psalm 19 begins by showing in nature, Hebrews 1 fulfills in Christ. God spoke through prophets in many ways, but the decisive revelation is not merely a message. It is a Person. The Son is God’s final Word, not because God grows tired of speaking, but because nothing higher can be said than the giving of His Son.

So, treat the created world as a summons to worship, but do not ask it to do what only Scripture can do. Look at the heavens and be humbled. Open the Word and be brought to Christ.

Application
Go outside and look around long enough to feel small. Then read Psalm 19 all the way through, and ask God to move you from wonder to obedience, and from conviction to Christ.

Prayer
Lord God, You have not hidden Yourself. Thank You for the witness of Your world, and thank You more for the clarity of Your Word and the fullness of Your speech in Your Son. Guard me from replacing Scripture with feelings. Give me a steady mind, a teachable heart, and a life shaped by what You have spoken. Through Jesus Christ. Amen.