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SEND THE LIGHT!
"Oh send out thy light and thy truth: let them lead me; let them bring me unto
thy holy hill, and to thy tabernacle" (Psa. 43:3).
David uttered these words in a prayer long ago. And so the sentiment of the old song we often sing, :"Send The Light," did not originate with the author of the song, but with the sweet singer of Israel himself. There are three things that strike our attention in this verse. David prayed: That God's light and truth be sent out. These two things - light and truth, need to be identified. The Psalmist also said: "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet ..." (119:130). Jesus, as he prayed to the Father said, "Thy word is truth" (John 17:17). So God's light and truth are to be identified with his word. In turn, these must be "sent," and today that is done by God's people - you and me. It was taken to the world by God's people in New Testament days. The early church preached it (1 Thess. 1:8). And so we must preach it today, for it will still do what God intended that it do (Isa. 55:11). That God's light would lead him. David, of all men, knew his frailties; that he could not guide himself. He had tried it, and how often he had stumbled! If any man ever knew he needed the guiding power of God's truth in his life, it was David. We need to pray for the ssame thing. But are we willing to follow where it leads? If it leads to a life of service, will we follow? If it leads to a life of sacrifice, will we go? If it leads to a cross, will we still be willing to follow? We issue a challenge to every person who doubts the wisdom of following the light of God - follow it every day and watch your path grow brighter and brighter (Pro. 4:18)! For recognition as to where it would lead. Its ultimate end will be "thy holy hill, and to thy tabernacle." This is a way of saying that to follow God's light is to be led into the presence of God. The Psalmist asked (ch. 15) the question as to who would abide in God's tabernacle; upon his holy hill. Then in anwer, the rest of the chapter tells us precisely who it will be. Yes, that light may lead to places that to us may seem difficult - yes, even "unfair" as we sometimes like to think. But even if it leads us through the "valley of the shadow of " (Psa. 23), we should still follow.Yet many still seek "blind leaders of the blind." It is purely a matter of where one wants to wind up - in the ditch, or on God's holy hill of Zion! "Send The Light, The Blessed Gospel Light!" God's light has been sent out. What we need to do is simply let it lead us to heaven; to God's eternal home. All the "wisdom of men" in the world will never get you there. But God's light; his word, will never let you down. - Bill Moseley AND ANOTHER THING ...
(Little Old Ladies) I love "little old ladies;" I'm happy most congregations are blessed with them.
I love them because they keep me on my toes, are not afraid to speak their mind
and are brutally frank and honest. Art Linkletter once said the most honest people
in the world are kids under seven and women over seventy! Can't argue with that.
I was away in a meeting one time when a member of the congregation brought a "little old lady" to visit the services. Dutifully I sat on the front pew wondering, "how am I going to start this lesson?" In a small building like we were in I could not help overhearing a "little old lady" say: "I've come to hear what this preacher has to say. If I like it, I'll tell him; if I don't like it, I'll tell him that too!" Now folks, I'm here to tell you that will get the visiting preacher's attention! As I began to preach, my eyes roved over the auditorium as I wondered: "Reckon which one of those sweet little old ladies said that," all the while, I thought I already knew! Now you may be wondering how things turned out that day. I finally decided to just say what I was going to say (with fear and trembling), and see what would happen - and am glad to say - "she liked it." We all went home happy that day. And now - leaving Art Linkletter and going to Paul Harvey, comes - "the rest of the story." It wasn't long until news came to me that this "little old lady" (around 80) had obeyed the gospel. I am perfectly aware that God's word is the saving power, but in this case, I hope I had a little to do with it! - Bill Moseley |