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]
Vision.
Where is my source of light so that I may see?
When the source of light is within myself, man-made, I think I see but really am like a blind man walking and bumping into barriers and falling down – falling into a pit because I think that I am in control of the false light.
Therefore I sign off some of my correspondence, –
‘walking in His SonShine in Haiti
Enjoying the journey in joy.’
God is my light. I depend on Him for direction, for vision, mission, purpose. And when I walk in that light I will not stumble or fall because He leads me and guides me in the way I need to go. He is my Refuge and Source of my all in all. Thank You Lord for Your unfailing love and faithfulness. Thank You for Your Light in my life and may I continually replenish the ‘oil for my lamp to keep me burning for You.’
Give me oil in my lamp
Keep me burning
Give me oil in my lamp I pray,
Give me oil in my lamp.
Keep me burning, burning, burning
Keep me burning till the break of the day
Sing Hosanna, sing Hosanna,
Sing Hosanna to the King of Kings,
Sing Hosanna, Sing Hosanna,
Sing Hosanna to the King.
…..Give me love in my heart, keep me serving
…..Give me faith in my heart, keep me trusting