PSALMS 43


1 Judge me, O Elohim, and plead my cause against an ungodly [lo chasid] nation: O deliver me from the deceitful and unjust man [ ish mirmah v'avlah].

2 For thou art the God of my strength: why dost thou cast me off? why go I mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?



3 O send out thy light and thy truth: let them lead me; let them bring me unto thy holy hill, and to thy tabernacles.

It is the consuming desire of those who love God and are waiting for Him. It may be said He has already done so. Yes, in the partial form that faith requires. His word is a light to the feet and a lamp to the path in the midst of the darkness. This is something exciting intense gratitude, but it is not enough to meet the desire of those who

"wait for Elohim more than they that watch for the morning."

They have heard of the glory of the Lord and this is gladness to their hearts; but there is no satisfaction to them till they see the glory of the Lord in the land of the living - even filling the earth, as God has promised, even "as the waters cover the sea." For this they pray continually: and their prayer is not vain. It pleases God to be asked for the things He has promised.

"The prayer of the righteous is His delight."

Their very conversation is a sweet odour to Him. We learn this from Malachi, that-

"Yahweh hearkened and heard, and a book of remembrance was written before Him, for them that feared Yahweh and that thought upon His name: and they shall be mine, saith the Yahweh of Hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels."

"Yahweh will fulfil the desire of the righteous: He will hear their prayer."

Their prayer is-

"Oh, send Thy light forth and Thy truth."

"Blessed are they," says Jesus, "that hunger and thirst after righteousness: they shall be filled."

God's manifested light and truth will burst upon the path of their darkness. The sun will rise and the darkness will flee. There will be healing in his pure beams.

Seasons 2. 58


"In Thy presence is fulness of joy; at Thy right hand there are pleasures forevermore."


This is our assurance and our goal.

When we start to practice or study anything, there is no pleasure to begin with, but wisdom says,

"Continue at it, the pleasure will come with familiarity and accomplishment."

How much truer and more important in divine things! There is fulness of joy in store for those who by God's guidance learn how to appreciate and evaluate TRUE joy -- joy that has no sad aftermath, nor is snatched away at its height, but is perfect and unending.

Bro Growcott - Let a man examine himself



4 Then will I go unto the altar of Elohim, unto El my exceeding joy: yea, upon the harp will I praise thee, O Elohim [Elohai].



5 Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.

So long as we are in this frail and fainting nature, we need rallying. We need reminding of the Truth. We are liable to sink in the "slough of despond." We are liable to forget that the weeping and present distress endures but a night: that songs come with the morning: that our light affliction is but for a moment, and is not worthy to be considered in view of the weighty glory which will have no end.

One consideration more, and the relief is complete: the affliction that presses on us so heavily in the days of probation will not only end and never return, but it is a necessity for the time being. Such is the fact whatever difficulty we may have in feeling it while the shoe pinches.

It "worketh out for us" the glory that is coming. Such is Paul's expression, and such experience shows to be the truth. Men can only be fitted for divine use by trouble - not that trouble alone will do it, but trouble will do it when other conditions are right.

Where God is known and believed, and loved, trouble acts the humbling and the chastening part. How long the action is needful, God is Judge. There is nothing for it but to submit ourselves to His hand, prepared heroically to do our part in all circumstances, at the same time ready to accept whatever affliction He may permit, or cause to spring in our paths, knowing that

"He doth not willingly afflict;"

and that the end of all His dealings with us will fill our mouths with laughter, gratitude and praise.

Seasons 2. 58