Oh, That We Might See Better Times

Date Published: 02/04/2010

There are many who say, “O that we might see some good! Let the light of your face shine on us, O LORD!” (Psalm 4:6 New Revised Standard Version) The Book of Common Prayer translates it, “Many are saying, ‘Oh, that we might see better times.’” and closes the quotes before the appeal to God.

That seems to me to capture the current ethos: down economy, collapsed discussion of health care, confusion in responding to terrorists, post-earthquake suffering in Haiti, even loss of confidence in Toyota quality. “Many are saying, ‘Oh, that we might see better times.’” But we look everywhere except to God for those better times: governments, businesses.

Society is not going to appeal to God to shine the light of his face on us, and we certainly cannot and should not expect government or business to do so. That is the calling of God’s people! When we hear the voices of many saying, “Oh, that we might see better times.” that is our cue to pray for the light of God’s face to shine on us and on the people around us who do not acknowledge God – whether they are our neighbors near or far!

As the people of God, we (not schools, governments, businesses, institutions) have the Holy Spirit so we can recognize the light of God’s face, that may seem to be but a dim glimmer or glow, and not only point it out but also direct attention to its source.