Send Out Your Light

Let Them Lead Me

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Paul told believers to keep “finding out what is acceptable to the Lord” (Ephesians 5:10). Long before Paul, the writer of Psalm 43 asked God to lead him.

A hard time. “Vindicate me, O God, And plead my cause against an ungodly nation” (Psalm 43:1). The writer was being treated unfairly. Vindicate means to show that someone is in the right.

Unfair people. The writer prayed, “Oh, deliver me from the deceitful and unjust man!” (43:1). Deceitful means full of lies. Unjust means unfair.

When someone is unfair. We can tell God when someone treats us unfairly. If someone is unfair or hurtful to you, also tell a parent or a grown-up you trust.

God is fair. God sees every unfair thing that happens, and He is the judge who always does what is right.

Honest questions. “For You are the God of my strength; Why do You cast me off?” (43:2). He felt as if God had left him, and he told God exactly how he felt.

God hears. God is not upset by honest prayers. He wants His children to bring Him their real feelings.

The big request. “Oh, send out Your light and Your truth! Let them lead me” (43:3). The psalm writer asked for God’s light and truth to guide him, not for a map.

Like a light on a trail. Think of walking a trail at night. A flashlight shows the next step, and a sign shows the right way. God’s light and truth guide His children like that.

Where to? “Let them bring me to Your holy hill And to Your tabernacle” (43:3). He wanted to be led to the place where God was worshiped. More than anything, he wanted to be near God.

Walking in the dark. Jesus said, “He who walks in darkness does not know where he is going” (John 12:35). Without light, it is easy to trip and get lost.

A prayer for us too. We can pray the same way: Lord, send out Your light and Your truth, and lead me.

God leads His children. God shows His children the way through His Word and by His Spirit.

Sin, the cross and new life. Our sin leaves us lost in the dark. Jesus died on the cross for our sins and rose again. Everyone who trusts Him is forgiven, and He leads them.

What this means for you. Before a hard choice this week, stop and ask God to lead you with His light and His truth.

Paul urged believers to keep “finding out what is acceptable to the Lord” (Ephesians 5:10). Psalm 43 shows a believer in trouble asking God to lead him by His light and truth.

A case to plead (43:1). “Vindicate me, O God, And plead my cause against an ungodly nation; Oh, deliver me from the deceitful and unjust man!” The writer pictures God as the judge who will defend him.

No revenge. Instead of trying to get even, he leaves his cause with God, the judge who sees everything.

Bring it to God. When people are unfair, bring it to God first. If someone is unfair or hurtful to you, tell God, and tell a parent or a grown-up you trust.

An honest complaint (43:2). “For You are the God of my strength; Why do You cast me off? Why do I go mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?” He calls God his strength even while he asks why he feels abandoned.

Feelings and faith. The writer felt cast off, but he still prayed to “the God of my strength.” Faith keeps talking to God even when feelings are low.

Honest faith. Bringing hard questions to God is not unbelief. It is talking to the One you trust most.

Light and truth (43:3). “Oh, send out Your light and Your truth! Let them lead me; Let them bring me to Your holy hill And to Your tabernacle.” Light shows the way, and truth keeps the traveler from going wrong. He asks God to send them out like guides sent ahead on a journey.

The goal. More than safety, he longs for God Himself: His holy hill and His tabernacle, the place where He was worshiped.

Where light leads. God’s light and truth never lead away from Him. They lead into His presence, where His people worship Him.

Without light (John 12:35). Jesus said, “Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you; he who walks in darkness does not know where he is going.” Those who walk without God’s light cannot see the way.

The gospel. Sin leaves every person lost in darkness. Christ died on the cross for our sins and rose again the third day. All who trust Him are brought to God.

Application. Make Psalm 43:3 your prayer before school or a hard choice this week. Then look for God’s answer in His Word.

God My Exceeding Joy

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The writer of Psalm 43 asked God to send His light and truth to lead him. Next he told what he would do when he got there.

To the altar. “Then I will go to the altar of God, To God my exceeding joy” (43:4). The altar was the place where God was worshiped.

Exceeding joy. Exceeding joy means joy that is more than enough, joy that spills over. The writer’s greatest joy was not a place or a thing. It was God Himself.

A harp of praise. “And on the harp I will praise You, O God, my God” (43:4). He planned to sing and play music to God.

My God. He calls Him “O God, my God.” God was not far away from him. God was his own God.

Still sad. The writer was still sad when he wrote, “Why are you cast down, O my soul?” (43:5). Cast down means very sad. Even then, God was still his God.

Led to God. First God’s light and truth would lead him to the holy hill (43:3). Then he would go to the altar and praise God there (43:4). Being led by God brings us close to Him.

Sons of light. Jesus said, “While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light” (John 12:36). People become children of light by believing in Him.

Joy in God. Joy does not come from having everything go right. It comes from knowing God and being near Him.

Children of light. Believing in Jesus brings people out of darkness. Then they belong to the light, and God becomes their joy.

Joy that lasts. Toys break and fun days end. Joy in God lasts, because God never changes.

Praise at the altar. The writer looked ahead to praising God at His altar. Praise reminds us that God is still good.

The way to joy. We have all sinned. Jesus died on the cross for our sins and rose again. Everyone who believes in Him can call God “my God” and find joy in Him.

When your heart is sad. Remember that God is still your God. Tell God how you feel, and talk to a parent or a grown-up you trust.

What this means for you. Sing or say a praise to God this week, even on a day that feels hard.

Having asked to be led to God’s holy hill (Psalm 43:3), the writer looks ahead to what he will do when he arrives.

The altar (43:4). “Then I will go to the altar of God, To God my exceeding joy.” The altar was the center of Israel’s worship, the place where sacrifices were offered.

Joy upon joy. Exceeding joy is simchat gili (say: sim-KHAHT gee-LEE), the gladness of my joy, joy piled on joy. God Himself is the writer’s joy, not only His gifts.

Worship at the end of the road. The prayer for guidance ends at the altar. Being led by God is not only about choosing well; it is about coming close to Him.

Praise with music. “And on the harp I will praise You, O God, my God.” Worship in Israel was full of song. The words “my God” show a personal faith; God is not a distant idea but his own God.

Honest sorrow (43:5). “Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me?” His sadness is real, and he brings it before God instead of hiding it.

Joy beside sorrow. The writer is still sad, yet he calls God his exceeding joy. Joy in God can stand beside real sorrow without pretending the sorrow is not there.

Then (43:4). “Then I will go to the altar of God.” First the light and truth lead him (43:3); then he comes to worship. Guidance from God ends in nearness to God.

Sons of light (John 12:36). Jesus said, “While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light.” Believing in Him is how people become children of light.

The gospel. Sin separates every person from God, the source of true joy. Christ died on the cross for our sins and rose again the third day. All who believe in Him can say “my God” and find their joy in Him.

Sadness and help. Believers still have low days. Bring them to God honestly, remember who He is, and talk with a parent or a grown-up you trust when sadness stays heavy.

Application. Write Psalm 43:4 on a card: “To God my exceeding joy.” On a hard day this week, read it aloud and thank God that He is your God.

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Complete all sections to finish!

Read each section and answer the questions correctly.