PRÉCIS ON OUR FINEST HOUR: BECOMING A BLAZE OF LIGHT IN THE APPROACHING DARKNESS

SCRIPTURE. “Out of my distress I called upon the Lord; the Lord answered me and set me free and in a large place. The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me? The Lord is on my side and takes my part, He is among those who help me; therefore shall I see my desire established upon those who hate me.” – PSALM 118:5-7, AMPC

KEY TERM: “LARGE PLACE.” ‘Merchab’ [בַמֶּרְחָ֣ב]: “From the root,רָחַב (‘rachab’), meaning, ‘To be or grow wide, large, or spacious.’ Also: Enlargement, open space, breadth, liberty. Refers to a broad or open space, often symbolizing freedom, relief, or deliverance from distress. It conveys the idea of being brought into a place of safety and abundance, contrasting with confinement or oppression. ‘In the Biblical context, it is frequently used metaphorically to describe God’s deliverance and the resulting freedom and prosperity.’”

QUOTATION. “That which should distinguish the suffering of believers from unbelievers is the confidence that our suffering is under the control of an all-powerful and all-loving God. Our suffering has meaning and purpose in God’s Eternal Plan, and He brings or allows to come into our lives only that which is for His glory and our good.” ― JERRY BRIDGES, Trusting God: Even When Life Hurts, 2008; edited

COMMENTARY. “‘I called upon the Lord in distress’ — As if He had said, ‘You may see an example of the Divine mercy in me, who was in grievous straits and dangers, but, imploring God’s protection and help, “He answered me, and set me in a large place’” — He not only delivered me, but placed me in a secure condition, free from all such molestation. Dr. [Daniel] Waterland renders the clause, ‘The Lord answered me with enlargement. The Lord is on my side.’— It is evident He takes my part! 

‘I will not fear,’ &c. — Though I have many enemies, I am not afraid of them, for ‘Greater is He that is for me than all those that are against me. What can man do unto me?’ — Man,a frail and impotent creature in himself, and much more when he is opposed to the Almighty God. He can do nothing to me but what God permits him to do; nothing but what God can and will make to work for my good. The Apostle quotes this verse with application to all true Christians, Hebrews 13:6. ‘The Lord taketh my part,’ &c. — He is present with my helpers, and enables them to defend me. ‘Therefore shall I see my desire,’ &c. — I shall see my enemies defeated in their designs against me.” – JOSEPH BENSON, Notes on the Holy Bible, 5 vols., 1811-1818; edited

DK’S TAKE. I am here reminded of how the Lord put that phrase in the depth of me in only the last month: “This can be your finest hour!” But that Promise, as with all of God’s promises, is highly CONDITIONAL. What was it that Spiderman’s Uncle Ben said to the young Peter Parker: “With great power comes great responsibility” (2002).

A favorite passage of mine in this regard from The Great Prophet seems rivetingly apt to This Present Darkness.

“Arise [from spiritual depression to a new life], shine [be radiant with the glory and brilliance of the Lord]! For your light has come, and the glory and brilliance of the Lord has risen upon you. For in fact, darkness will cover the earth and deep darkness will cover the peoples; But the Lord will rise upon you … and His glory and brilliance will be seen on you.” – ISAIAH 60:1-2, AMP

That is why I spend so much time laboring to ‘clean our lenses,’ as it were, helping to get us ready for a Full Commitment to following Christ, no holds barred, as we used to say it. No holding back, no conditional riders as we do with contracts. No, this is our Highest Sacred Covenant – Unto life or unto death.

Inviolable, period. Full stop!

CODA. As I continue to argue more and more fervently, I truly believe that we are heading simultaneously for our most Perilous yet Finest Hour. For there cannot be a Great Triumph without a Great Struggle.

Beloved, it is simply ‘The Way of Things Eternal.’ Selah.