“Send your light and your truth,

Cause them to guide me;

They will cause me to enter into your holy mountain,

And into your dwellings.”

(Psalm 43:3)

How we all need to set these words in our heart…whether we are facing trial or otherwise! In both good times and in bad times, it indeed should be the light and truth of God that guides us. Light in scripture is often seen in connection with truth and ultimately, as God is the source of all truth, God is seen as the source of all light and in him is no darkness (1 John 1:5). The Bible goes even to the extent that there will be no sun in the new creation because God himself will be the light of his people (Revelation 22.5). Ultimately, for us, that light finds meaning in Jesus Christ, as Isaiah writes of the incarnation:

“The people walking in darkness have seen a great light,

Those who dwell in the land of gloom,

A light shines on them.”

(Isaiah 9:2)

God is indeed light and truth and he sent his son to testify to the truth (John 18:37), guiding his people to himself. Yet how often we have preferred to determine our own “truth” as Adam and Eve before us did? How often we choose to ignore the plain teaching of Scripture because we find it inconvenient or offensive to our sensibilities? How often do we simply choose not to follow the Bible because we plainly don’t desire to live and behave in the way that the Scriptures teach. All of that is sin, but it is also a flight from the one who will provide you refuge. The bottom line we must ask ourselves is where does truth ultimately have its source? If ultimate truth resides with us, we are right to ignore scripture and go our own way; if ultimate truth lies with God, then we must submit our will and intellect to his Word. If there is any question as to which approach is a better approach to have, check out the last few chapters of the book of Judges where every man did what was right in his own eyes. 

Beloved, this principle informs the totality of our life. Whatever it is that we do, whatever decisions we make, how we understand the world around us, should all and always be grounded in the Word of God. It is our rule and guide as we walk through the good times as well as the difficulties of life—and it will be our rule of life and worship in the eternal life that is to come as well. God indeed is God, man is not; yet man has spent much of his existence seeking to take that role upon himself (always ending in dismal failure). Let us not add to that great disaster and submit our mind and heart to the teaching of God’s word and indeed, he will bring us into a place of shelter under his wing.