Psalm 43:1 English Standard Version

Send Out Your Light and Your Truth

1 Vindicate me, O God, and defend my cause against an ungodly people, from the deceitful and unjust man deliver me!

When we feel that we need light is it because we have placed ourselves in a dark place? What can be seen in this first verse is seeking vindication for where we are and how we got there. If we are following God’s will, God is with us. If we wandered off on our own and took up a cause that was only right by our own determination, then God has not lit our path.

2 For you are the God in whom I take refuge; why have you rejected me? Why do I go about mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?

If we have truly taken refuge in God, why are we feeling the oppression of the enemy?

When we focus on the enemy we are not focused onGod’s will for our lives. Doubt creeps in and fear follows. We begin to doubt if we are walking in God’s will. How did we get to this point?

3 Send out your light and your truth; let them lead me; let them bring me to your holy hill

and to your dwelling!

His Holy Hill is a symbol of positional attitude. If we do not get together with God while walking in His will, we will not know at what point we have gone astray. It is like checking a compass often to make sure we haven’t drifted off course. God does not have a problem with us asking often and loudly, “Is this the way?”

4 Then I will go to the altar of God, to God my exceeding joy, and I will praise you with the lyre, O God, my God. 5 Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God.

Perhaps our problem is one in which we withhold praise until we feel that God has saved us from our doubt and fear.

Psalm 40:3 English Standard Version (ESV) He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the Lord.

Sometimes it isn’t about me.

Ephesians 5:26 English Standard Version (ESV) that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word,

The first thing Saul did after his conversion was to be baptized. He immersed himself in water.

We have already been baptized and now our temple needs to be cleansed by immersing ourselves in the Word. Jesus cleans His house by the washing of the word.

Everyone who cleans houses has a preferred method of cleaning. It is how they see the job is best done according to their own experience. If we hire someone to clean our house it is an insult to tell that professional how to do their job.

In our case what is needed is total immersion in the Word of God. But Jesus is the Word. John said He is in his gospel. Since Jesus abides in us, He applies Himself to clean His temple.

If one is going to clean this temple, perhaps the place to start is in the attic. A place where we store things in darkness which we do not use daily. That would be the highest point, our old brain. He will begin there by taking out the cobwebs and give it a good thorough washing.

Romans 12:2 English Standard Version (ESV) Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Ephesians 5:8-10 English Standard Version

8 for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light 9 (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), 10 and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord.

We cannot discern what is good, right and true without some light shining in the dark places.