My scripture is always marked up. Whether it’s a printed page, or my digital library. Old bibles never have to worry about me changing from one book to another, but the digital library doesn’t always transfer to a new platform very well…
Talk about Integrity!
It may be we do not understand having integrity, or that we’ve seen so much integrity tossed overboard. But I shared this morning something that settles me down to trusting the integrity from my God. It ranges from my past, and, on into my future.
It’s one of my favorite psalm, and I turn to it often… It speaks to me in the down times, and when the struggle to get to my feet is difficult…. It affirms me in my up times and I’m comfortable knowing I’m here to help others.
Judge me, O LORD; for I have walked in mine integrity:
I have trusted also in the LORD; therefore I shall not slide.
Examine me, O LORD, and prove me; try my reins and my heart.
For thy lovingkindness is before mine eyes: and I have walked in thy truth.
I have not sat with vain persons, neither will I go in with dissemblers.
I have hated the congregation of evil doers; and will not sit with the wicked.
I will wash mine hands in innocency: so will I compass thine altar, O LORD:
That I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving, and tell of all thy wondrous works.
LORD, I have loved the habitation of thy house, and the place where thine honour dwelleth.
Gather not my soul with sinners, nor my life with bloody men:
In whose hands is mischief, and their right hand is full of bribes.
But as for me, I will walk in mine integrity: redeem me, and be merciful unto me.
My foot standeth in an even place: in the congregations will I bless the LORD
Psalms 26
Key Word Heaven!
Walked, trusted, washed, hated, loved, publish, tell, standeth, Not slide
Examine, prove, try…
Reins, Heart…
Lovingkindness, Wondrous Works, Altar
Integrity
David stands before God and asks for Judgement (Vindication) because of his apparent desire to know where he stands with God. He attempts to show God his focus:
- His actions – ‘I have…walked, trusted, leaned’.
- His plans – ‘I will…wash, hate, nor sit’.
- His trust – ‘Examine me…Gather me….’.
David uses the word INTEGRITY. It comes from a Greek word meaning completeness, upright, innocence.
In his first statement to the Lord, David is saying:
- I have (past) walked in my (mine own understanding) of completeness.
- I have (past) walked in my (mine own understanding) of uprightness.
- I have (past) walked in my (mine own understanding) of innocence.
David takes us from his past (I have) and into his future plans. “But as for me, I will walk in mine integrity.”
Can you and I make this declaration to the Lord now? And in that walk, I trusted, therefore I will not slide…..
Today I want my life to focus on this word… Integrity….