Bathing in God's Light

In Psalm 4, we have another expression (from God’s Word) of the innermost thoughts and cares of a human being. We know that David, King of Israel, lived a bit of a rollercoaster life, at some stages being God’s person in remarkable ways, at other times failing miserably under temptation. His feelings are expressed in many psalms warts and all, and we can gain much by observing how David approaches God (especially in his hours of need) and what he learns through the process.

There is an encouragement in this psalm (4), for all who are struggling in life. I especially appreciate the resolution we read of here: the possibility of being bathed in God’s light; as this brings with it a warm sensation that I am deeply loved, and a confidence that I can fulfil a purpose with my life.

To commence in such a way – Answer me when I call – suggests a real focus on God. Here are not just words being spoken to oneself, or just thrown into the air, but rather words addressed to a personal and powerful God. And this is not designed to be a one-sided conversation – the psalmist here is expecting and awaiting God to respond. The psalmist recognises that God indeed cares for him so much, there is no doubt an answer will follow; God has proven his faithfulness in the past. The People of Israel had their exodus from Egypt through which to recall God’s compassionate answer to their cry for help. It would be good for us to consistently recall any times when we have felt blessed by God, for this strengthens us to cope with future challenges.

Anything that God provides in response to this prayer will be exactly what the psalmist needs. We may not know what we really need the most when we come to God in prayer, but we can just open our lives to God, and trust in His knowledge of our need. Our faithful God will respond to us out of His generous Spirit. We may take a while to recognise what God is doing around us (and within our circumstances) but it will be for the good! This psalmist received space to breathe again when feeling distressed (v.1b), a way out of the tight corner he found himself in, a new sense
of freedom from what was oppressing him.

To ask God to be gracious to us, is to ask God for the best He has to offer. Today, the best God can offer us is a knowledge of salvation through Jesus, the beginnings of an experience of eternal life – bringing the sort of inner peace that the world just can’t offer. The creator of the universe wants to have a personal daily relationship with each one of us; God is devoted to us, and to this prospect of being in intimate relationship with us – isn’t that encouraging!

However, not everybody appeals to God for help! Unfortunately many seek to please themselves and thus ignore God – so they are just left with that void in their lives (that only God can fill). And when people prefer to just suit themselves, and live according to their own personal agenda, they tend to take others down with them. As we learnt from Jonah, we can’t ignore God without causing ramifications for other people.

At times, people who follow the ways of Jesus, can feel persecuted by those who don’t. They might try to get on top of us and put a dent in our faith. In these times of testing we need to rely on God, understanding that our true identity rests in Him, not in what others might think of us. We shouldn’t fight back, but rather acknowledge that we indeed are on the right track, and pray that the other might find out the truth as well.

It’s difficult to tell in verse 2 whose honour has been offended – the psalmist’s or God’s. We can perhaps sense that the integrity of David has been attacked, and he
has been lied about in public. We could also probably sense that God has been offended by being ignored whilst people pursue their own ‘gods’ of vanity, self-indulgence and materialism. But in all this, David was able to say with such great assurance: "But know that the Lord has set apart the faithful for Himself, the Lord hears when I call to Him" (v.3). So if you don’t feel that way, if you don’t think that God feels that way about you – then try opening up to Him, and letting Him know that you’re willing to trust Him.

Having put our trust in God for everything in our lives, there is: forgiveness for the past, well-being in the present, and hope for the future.

David began this psalm by addressing God; then, in an attitude of faith, expressed
his thoughts toward those who would oppose him. Now he wants to express what he has learnt about carrying on in relationship to God (v.4-5). Put simply, the psalmist advises, that when testing times come, don’t let this draw you into sin ie, a whole range of negative behaviours (including striking out at those around us); rather spend time quietly reflecting on what you are learning, and how you are growing. Then we can keep producing good fruit for the Kingdom of God, our very lives being worthy expressions of thanksgiving to God.

We don’t want to be continually pulled down by the actions of others. And it’s not helpful for our minds to keep going over our past wrongs (or our present perils);
but rather let’s quickly turn such thoughts toward a wonderful, forgiving and ever-present God, able to draw us forward with hope.

There is much to do in our community and world to set things right. There is the
need to: model how to love one another; cooperate with one another to produce good outcomes; be an example as to how to have proper regard for children, older persons, the poor, and even creation itself.

We might say as the psalmist quoted: "O that we might see some good!" Guess what! That good that we want to see actually starts with us. There’s no use wishing that there was more good around us, while we harbour thoughts of revenge. There’s no use bemoaning the violence we can so easily witness, while we stand at a distance from our neighbour’s need.

How can we really be that force for good? The answer is right before us … "Let the light of your face shine on us, O Lord!"

If we can be bathed in the light of God, we can truly make a difference. This is a much healthier type of sun-bathing than overdoing the sun at the beach. This is also a much healthier activity than laying for hours in the solarium. And this has far more integrity than applying one of those fake tans that come out of a bottle. This is the light of God’s face shining out of our face!

Where do we start with this? Psalm 34:5 reads, “Look to [the Lord] and be radiant”. How can we look to the Lord? We can look at Jesus. Jesus said, “I am the light of the world” (John 8:12), and we can see how Jesus lived that out. In following Jesus in our daily lives we will be drawn into the same light that exudes from him. Jesus taught his disciples that they were to be the light of the world – as they abided in him, he would abide in them (Matthew 5:14-16, John 15:4).

If God’s light is emanating out of us … for all to see, then we will surely experience unprecedented joy and complete inner peace. This will be far more significant than any material prosperity or earthly renown. In the end, how futile are those many things that are pursued, yet bring people no closer to God.

This concept of being favoured with the light of God’s face leads to an experience of being “pavilioned in [His] peace” (G. Campbell Morgan). And this is the greatest building block for life – peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 5:1). This is a peace that will remain with us through all the distractions, busyness and troubles that life brings. We can take this inner peace with us to our beds each
night, and go to sleep unafraid.

As we grow closer to God, this psalm takes on even more significance, as we
so desperately want to experience more of God’s light in our daily lives, thus
being better equipped to take on all of what life will throw at us, and come
out of it smiling.