A Supplication for Light and Truth

The Lord has again permitted us to enter into a new year, as individuals, as congregations, and as a denomination. How this should humble us! There was a malefactor hanging next to Christ that “railed on Him, saying, If Thou be Christ, save Thyself and us.” This was a man who, despite all his sin, thought he had a right to live. How different the Lord made it in the heart of the second malefactor. The Lord took away his rights. The Lord showed him that he did not deserve to live any longer on this earth because of his sin. Therefore he confessed, “We indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds,” namely, death.

How is it with us as we enter into a new year? Is there any impression in our hearts that we are undeserving of the great blessing of life? How is it as we look forward into the unknown future? The Lord has extended our natural lives. Is this enough for us? Are we able to live our lives without Him? Can we do without His communion and felt favor?

In the third verse of Psalm 43 David writes, “O send out Thy light and Thy truth: let them lead me; let them bring me unto Thy holy hill, and to Thy tabernacles.” Why did he write this? It is likely that David wrote this in one of the several times in his life that he was forced to live as an exile. Not only Saul but even his own son, Absalom, sought his life. These were dark times in the life of David. His enemies were many. His life was in continual danger. But what was his greatest burden? He was not able to attend the public worship services. He was not able to go up to the tabernacle of the Lord. Would this also be a cause of grief and sorrow to us, if it were our lot? Would this be a burden? David did not long for the throne of Israel, but for the tabernacles of the Lord. He felt the separation. This was darkness to him. He could not live with that separation. His cry went up to God to take that separation away.

Hence, David's cry was for light, namely, the light of God's countenance. David could not do without the Lord's favor and communion. He longed for the altar of God. Upon this altar the sacrifices were laid, sacrifices for sin. The altar of God meant so much to David. It spoke to him about forgiveness, about pardon, about reconciliation to God. David knew and felt that it was only by the putting away of his sin that the Lord could show the light of His countenance. It was only by the altar of God that wrath could be taken away and that he might experience something of the Lord's favor.

“O send out Thy light and Thy truth.” What is David asking for? David asks for the fulfillment of the Lord's promises to him. David asks, “Lord, show Thyself true to Thy own Word. Do what Thou hast spoken unto me.” But, again, this could not be done without the atonement for David's guilt, by which he made himself continually unworthy that the Lord would bring it to pass.

Dear reader, do we know anything of the supplication of David, “O send out Thy light and Thy truth: let them lead me; let them bring me unto Thy holy hill, and to Thy tabernacles”? Is this also our cry as we go into the new year? Is it enough for us that we are given our life on the earth, or is there also another need in our hearts? What a great privilege it is that we do not have to live as exiles, being separated from the house of God, at least not at this time. We do not know what a day may bring forth, much less a year. We see that Satan is very busy to undermine and destroy the truth. Yet we may still gather in God's house. Do we value this blessing? But is this blessing in itself enough for us? David needed more. Do we also need more?

We cannot deny that the times in which we live are very dark. It is dark in the world; it is dark in the denomination. As much as we would like to say it is different, this is the reality. We may not say that the Lord does not work anymore; no, we would not dare to say this. Yet, who can deny that the Spirit of the Lord is so quiet? There is so little light, so few conversions, so little discernment, so little genuine experience of spiritual truths. And with all this, it seems we can often be so complacent about it. Friends, it is the beginning of a new year. Oh, that the Lord may plant in all of our hearts together this cry of David for ourselves and our denomination in this year: “O send out Thy light and Thy truth: let them lead me; let them bring me unto Thy holy hill, and to Thy tabernacles.”

God Himself is Light and Truth, but this was not enough for David. No, David besought the Lord to “send out” His light and truth, that they might “lead” him. David needed the personal application. Is this not also what we so desperately need both individually and as congregations? Would it not be the greatest blessing we could receive in this year when the Lord would bless us with the light of His countenance; when He would grant us to experience His favor; when He would give light in the way of true regeneration; light upon God; light upon ourselves and our deep fall; light upon His beloved Son who came to redeem His people from sin, to seek and to save that which was lost?

“O send out Thy light and Thy truth!” What different places our churches would become when the Lord would send out His light and His truth! What weeping would take place there, what a smiting upon the breast! What contrite confessions would ascend to heaven! What need would be felt there; what earnest desires; what heartfelt supplications! What joy would be experienced there; what rejoicings of the heart at the voice of the Beloved, leaping upon the mountains, skipping upon the hills! What banquets would be enjoyed there; what a tasting that the Lord is good and that His Word is sweet! How refreshing it would be to listen to those who could no longer hold their peace but must say, “Come and hear, all ye that fear God, and I will declare what He hath done for my soul!”

“O send out Thy light and Thy truth: let them lead me; let them bring me unto Thy holy hill, and to Thy tabernacles.” Friends, the Lord has blessed us with an over-abundance of temporal blessings, for which we ought to be glad. But, oh, that we would be given also to pray, like David, that the Lord would shine upon us by His Spirit, to grant us spiritual blessings in this new year! Oh, that those who have been taught to pray may be given to storm the throne of grace, not able to let the Lord go except He bless us. Oh, that the “effectual fervent prayer of the righteous may avail much,” and that the Lord would be pleased to look upon us in His mercy.

Deze tekst is geautomatiseerd gemaakt en kan nog fouten bevatten. Digibron werkt voortdurend aan correctie. Klik voor het origineel door naar de pdf. Voor opmerkingen, vragen, informatie: contact.

Op Digibron -en alle daarin opgenomen content- is het databankrecht van toepassing. Gebruiksvoorwaarden. Data protection law applies to Digibron and the content of this database. Terms of use.

Printen