Psalm 36:9 For with you is the fountain of life;
    in your light we see light.

This is a very interesting Psalm, with its very pointed description of an evil person in the first four verses. The ESV says something I’ve never encountered in other translations: “Transgression speaks to the wicked deep in his heart.” Outlier translations are generally suspect, but that seems to be accurately descriptive! In contrast, the rest of the Psalm speaks of God’s goodness to those who choose to follow Him. This verse has always struck me, because of its saying that without God’s light we don’t see light. Part of that is the usage, common in the Old Testament, of “the light of life.” With that meaning, this says that God’s light gives us life. However, I realized years ago that it is also true that without God’s light/revelation, we don’t recognize light/truth when we see it. We human beings can be incredibly dense at times! We have the expression, “as plain as the nose on your face,” but we are remarkably adept at ignoring such things. A case in point is going on in America right now, with people espousing things that have never worked in any place they have been tried. Those who recognize the foolishness of that have trouble believing those doing the espousing could be so blind. Some of those in that category fit the description in the first four verses of this Psalm, but by no means all. As many have recognized, the reason for this deception is that people have actively abandoned the light of the knowledge of God, and so don’t recognize the light of truth even when it shines on them. That is sad indeed, and calls for prayer and compassion on the part of those who do see, but unwavering allegiance to God’s light. It is not loving to be silent when people call darkness light and evil good.

Like probably everyone else, I tend to think I am walking in the light, and it is other people who are mistaken. Such pride can be very dangerous! I’ve got to remember that God is the only source of true light, of Truth with a capital T. It was hardly insignificant that Jesus said that He was “the Way, the Truth, and the Life.” (John 14:6) I need to keep my heart fixed on Him, and let the Holy Spirit show me my errors. He’s very good at that! These are days of fierce division, and not just in America. Japan just acquired a new Prime Minister, and the opinions I’ve heard are all over the place! Every disciple of Jesus Christ needs to be active in their commitment to Him, and let Him be the Lord of their thoughts, words, and actions. Only then will God’s healing light bathe the land, as it so desperately needs.

Father, I’m physically separated from the US, and I have no citizenship/right to vote here in Japan. Help me be faithful in prayer for both nations, that people would accept, and actively seek, Your light to guide them, for their blessing and Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!