This week I continue our series through the Psalms. You can listen here.
Here are some highlights:
The beginning of Scripture teaches us that our God is a God who takes action on our behalf. The first words of Scripture say, In the beginning, God.
There is no beginning without God. The rest of Scripture teaches us that God meticulously and perfectly cares for his creation. He doesn't just wound things up and let them unwind. God is right now upholding the universe by the Word of His power. God was in the beginning, he has been with us even until now, and he promises to be with us forever. The God who inhabits eternity created space and time so that we could look on his majesty and wonder.
There is a phrase we are taught to say in Scripture that addresses moments just like this – if the Lord wills. The purpose of teaching us to say if the Lord wills is to remind us of our hope in the God who was in the beginning, who is sustaining all things, will sum all things up according to his delight. The God who was, and is, and is to come is here in these moments acting on behalf of those who wait for him.
Unless he acts, we are hopeless in a stormy sea. Unless he acts, our leprosy remains. Unless he acts, we remain dead in our graves. Thankfully, not only has he acted, he is acting, and he will continue to act – forever.
In a world of uncertainty, the Bible gives us absolute hope. This Psalm is encouraging us to seek definitive action from God. The Psalmist is asking for the light of God's presence to soothe and warm his soul, truth to confront the onslaught of the enemy's lies. He is asking for God to lead him by truth and light so that he can be brought to the very presence of God.
Notice the beauty of this progression. Vindicate. Defend. Deliver. Send light and truth. Lead. Bring. Which of those action words rests on what we can do? Our hope depends on God. Only he is mighty to save. It is not accidental that Jesus said he was the way, the truth, and the life. He went on to say no one comes unto the Father but through him (Jn. 14:6). Before he said this, he said, Let not your hearts be troubled if you believe in God, believe also in me (Jn. 14:1).