Reflection on Psalm 36:7, 9 How precious is your unfailing love, oh God! All humanity finds shelter in the shadow of your wings. … For you are the fountain of life, the light by which we see.
I’ve heard people say that when they were younger they needed a night light because they were afraid of the dark. You see, their immature imaginations envisioned all kinds of goblins and scary creatures lying in wait in the shadows. They were afraid that harm would come to them if they were not able to see what was behind and under the objects in their rooms.
Some adults still have such fears. They want to be able to see all the answers. They believe that the more light shed on a situation, the less there will be lurking in the shadows to deceive them and to disturb their peace. What they fail to acknowledge is that artificial, man-made light can be deceptive. Even after tons of details have been dragged to the surface, the truth still remains unclear.
Our text suggests that perhaps, such people are looking at matters with the wrong headlamp. The Psalmist tells us that God is the light by which we should see. When God sheds light on a situation, the fogginess is washed away and we are able to discern that which is invisible to the human eye. God is the fountain of life. The light of God can help us see around and through the stuff that creeps in the corners, and there is no need to be afraid.
When we discern life through the light that God provides, we are able to see that, as long as God loves us, we have nothing to worry about. God’s eternal light will enable us to look at our situations through the illumination of time. And when we do so, we will see clearly that our God is in control. We will be able to detect a pathway toward spiritual shelter and find peace and protection beneath the shadow of God’s wings.