Deut. 3-5; Acts 24; Psalms 36&43

If you were dragged into the courts because of your faith in Jesus, could you stand and defend yourself the way the Apostle did in Acts 24? I know I would be at a loss for words. Just standing there in the presence of many that would be against me would cause me to tremble. Perhaps Paul was thinking of Psalm 43:3 while he stood there: Send out your light and your truth; let them lead me; let them bring me to your holy hill and to your dwelling! (Psalm 43:3 [ESV]) God’s light and truth were leading Paul that day and God can lead us today as we speak up for him. In fact, the Psalmist starts this passage out quite depressed and verse 3 seems to be the turning point for him. Read this Psalm below:

Vindicate me, O God, and defend my cause
    against an ungodly people,
from the deceitful and unjust man
    deliver me!
² For you are the God in whom I take refuge;
    why have you rejected me?
Why do I go about mourning
    because of the oppression of the enemy?

³ Send out your light and your truth;
    let them lead me;
let them bring me to your holy hill
    and to your dwelling!
⁴ Then I will go to the altar of God,
    to God my exceeding joy,
and I will praise you with the lyre,
    O God, my God.

⁵ Why are you cast down, O my soul,
    and why are you in turmoil within me?
Hope in God; for I shall again praise him,
    my salvation and my God.

Verse 3 DOES seems to be the turning point in this Psalm. When we focus on God’s light and truth our circumstances may not change, but our presence of mind does. Then we find ourselves praising God again. Could that have been Paul’s situation. Through God’s encouragement and support Paul spoke with courage. You and I can approach life and those circumstances and people that work to undermine our faith by focusing on the God of our salvation. Let’s do that today shall we!?!

Father God thank you for your light and truth and how they can rule our lives and make us the people you want us to be. Help us to follow the example of Paul and be ready in that light and truth to stand for you. In Jesus name we pray, Amen!

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