While the Pharisees were accusing Him of giving false testimony (John 8:13), Jesus told His own followers, “If you abide in My word, you are truly My disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:31-32). This morning’s service is built around this contrast between truth and lies. We ask the Lord to “lead us in Your
truth” (the Call to Worship from Psalm 25), and not to give us over to our foes because “false witnesses arise against [us]” (O Lord, Teach Me To Follow You—Psalm 27). We ask Him to “give us truth” (Lord, Hear My Voice—Psalm 61), since only the one who “speaks truth in his heart” (Psalm 15:2) can dwell on His holy hill. We look for protection
from those whose “mouths are false, for lies they speak” (Blest Be The Lord, My Rock, My Might—Psalm 144), crying out “save me from the lies of godless men” (O Lord, My God—Psalm 43). We ask for God to plant His truth deep within us, and we look forward to the day when “truth [will] prevail over unbelief” and “truths … will echo down through eternity” (Speak, O Lord). We go out secure in the knowledge that our “firm foundation” is Christ Himself, the “true and faithful Word” (Stricken, Smitten, And Afflicted), praying that this true Word, “the way, the truth, and the life,” would be found on the lips of “friend and stranger” (Christ Be With Me). —Henry C. Haffner
Keystone Verse: You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. (Exodus 20:16)