September 29, 2009
SCRIPTURE: Psalm 36
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light. [Psalm 36:9] In this Psalm David considers those who live sinful lives, apart from God. He contrasts this to the glory and goodness of God, then petitions God to protect the upright from sinners. Those who reject God are like a cesspool of death, but those who cling to the Lord are a fountain of life. Those who delight in sin grope around in darkness, but those who delight in goodness walk in the light – they experience LIFE to the full!
Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God. [John 3:20-21] Jesus contrasts those who resist God’s truth with those who welcome it. Some live in denial, some in humility welcome the truth. Which one am I?
The religious leaders were white-washed tombs, said Jesus, shiny on the outside but dead on the inside. David exposes this quality in ‘sinners’ and challenges them to look to God again. Jesus did the same to the religious leaders. But they refused to come into the light, lest they be exposed. Will I allow God’s spotlight to expose my heart? Will I hide from the truth, or admit it?
When I read the bible, I need to ask God to show me my heart. In every passage we read, we can sense God gently provoking, nudging, convicting. How I respond to this will determine whether my heart is a fountain of life, of God’s life and light and love flowing in and through me.
PRAYER:
Lord, search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. [Psalm 139:23-24]
Where is my focus from day to day? On serving the Lord or on serving myself? When I am self-centered, I am my all in all. I rule at all costs and have it my way. All for me and there is none other. This is the non-lighted way.
Yet God’s love reaches down to His people who take refuge in Him. He is the wind beneath their wings. He is the living waters for His people are like the trees planted by the river of life. He is their Staff of life because He is the One who lights the Way we should go. In His Light we see Light. He needs to be the Light that lights our path on our journey of joy. Walk in the Light, always.
Lead me Guide me to walk in Your Way.
The whole world was lost
In the darkness of sin,
The Light of the world is Jesus!
Like sunshine at noonday,
His glory shone in.
The Light of the world is Jesus!
Refrain
Come to the light, ’tis shining for thee;
Sweetly the light has dawned upon me.
Once I was blind, but now I can see:
The Light of the world is Jesus!
No darkness have we
Who in Jesus abide;
The Light of the world is Jesus!
We walk in the light
When we follow our Guide!
The Light of the world is Jesus!
Refrain
Ye dwellers in darkness
With sin blinded eyes,
The Light of the world is Jesus!
Go, wash, at His bidding,
And light will arise.
The Light of the world is Jesus!
Refrain
No need of the sunlight
In Heaven we’re told;
The Light of the world is Jesus!
The Lamb is the Light
In the city of gold,
The Light of the world is Jesus!
Refrain