Tuesday, July 23, 2013

Integrity

Psalm 26
English Standard Version (ESV)
Of David.
26 Vindicate me, O Lord,
    for I have walked in my integrity,
    and I have trusted in the Lord without wavering.
Prove me, O Lord, and try me;
    test my heart and my mind.[
a]
For your steadfast love is before my eyes,
    and I walk in your faithfulness.
I do not sit with men of falsehood,
    nor do I consort with hypocrites.
I hate the assembly of evildoers,
    and I will not sit with the wicked.
I wash my hands in innocence
    and go around your altar, O Lord,
proclaiming thanksgiving aloud,
    and telling all your wondrous deeds.
O Lord, I love the habitation of your house
    and the place where your glory dwells.
Do not sweep my soul away with sinners,
    nor my life with bloodthirsty men,
10 in whose hands are evil devices,
    and whose right hands are full of bribes.
11 But as for me, I shall walk in my integrity;
    redeem me, and be gracious to me.
12 My foot stands on level ground;
    in the great assembly I will bless the Lord.

The last two verses of Psalm 26 reflects how I want to live but the verses prior to it tell us how we can walk fulfill that goal.  If you really stop and think about it, integrity does not come from being idle.  It does not come from hanging around with the wrong crowd.  There is something to be said about who we hang out with.  When I was a principal I always told my students to choose friends that brought the best out in them not the worst.  Why would I say that?  It is because those who we hang out with are the ones that we are going to most likely imitate

Where does Christ dwell?  Not in the tabernacle, holy of holies, that was destroyed when Christ died on the cross for our sins.  If you know Him, He dwells within you.  He is there ready to guide and direct us.  Direct us away from those who have evil thoughts and actions, yet, we must, as David did, proclaim and live out our faith. 

This is only possible when we put Him our trust in Him and allow Him to guide us in the right direction.  David did not put his faith in his own integrity because he knew he alone would stumble and fall.  He put his trust in the Lord who gave him the strength and the desire to live a life worthy of his calling.  He was not perfect and even though he tried to live a life of integrity he fell as can we if we do not continually seek Him and His ways.

As you seek Him may you live a life that is worthy, not on your own strength but with the guidance of the Holy Spirit. 

Seeking Him with all my heart,

Sheila



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