Written by Pastor Jack Wellman– Robert Murray M’Cheyne
His Ways
Isaiah the prophet contrasted the ways of man and the ways of God by declaring, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD” (Isaiah 55:8). It’s just “as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts” (Isaiah 55:9). The Book of Proverbs reminds us which way is better: “Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the LORD weighs the heart” (Proverbs 21:2). All too often my ways are not God’s ways.
His Light
Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life” (John 8:12). Walking in God’s light is also described in the Old Testament, as it’s written, “For it is you who light my lamp; the Lord my God lightens my darkness” (Psalm 18:28). God hasn’t changed. He is still the light of life (John 1:4) and the light of the world. If you walk in the light, you’ll be content with whatever God gives you.
His Truth
The psalmist associates God’s light with God’s truth. This makes perfect sense because we can’t even see the truth unless God illuminates it. He does that by His Spirit. When we read the Word of God, the Spirit of God, Who is the Author of Scripture, makes it known to us. You can’t read without light; so without the light of the Spirit of God shining on Scripture, it will not be illuminated to us. No wonder the psalmist writes, “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).
His Will
After all you’ve done is strive to live a life that’s pleasing to God and have prayed over and over about something yet nothing happens, remember that you are not alone. This is the time to test your faith in God. Peter writes that this testing of our faith makes it more precious than gold (1 Peter 1:7). In the silence, can you hear the voice of God? Does God seem distant at times? If so, ask yourself who has moved. Did God go anywhere? No. God is still God, and we can trust His will to be the very best for our lives (Romans 8:28), even when it doesn’t look like it. That’s faith-like eyes that see in the dark!
Conclusion
Mr. M’Cheyne is wise in writing that “God will either give you what you ask, or something far better.” God as the most superior Father and more benevolent than any human father seeks to give His children good things. But in His wisdom, He knows what things not to give us so we won’t hurt ourselves or those around us whom we love.
