Devotion 8.24.26

Psalm 26

I Will Bless the Lord

Of David.

1 Vindicate me, O Lord,

  for I have walked in my integrity,

  and I have trusted in the Lord without wavering.

2 Prove me, O Lord, and try me;

  test my heart and my mind.

3 For your steadfast love is before my eyes,

  and I walk in your faithfulness.

4 I do not sit with men of falsehood,

  nor do I consort with hypocrites.

5 I hate the assembly of evildoers,

  and I will not sit with the wicked.

6 I wash my hands in innocence

  and go around your altar, O Lord,

7 proclaiming thanksgiving aloud,

  and telling all your wondrous deeds.

David's integrity, and ours, is found in faith in Christ alone. David's acts of love toward God during worship are outward, and inward, signs of worship toward God In response to his grace.

The subject of integrity has been much conversed and received a great deal of attention in this first part of the 21st century. Unfortunately, most of it has been worldly and political which are not great places to place our trust on what "integrity" is and is not. 

David is making a bold claim at the start (in a psalm likely used at the start of worship as people entered): he is a man is seeking justice because he has "walked in integrity." In the men's study bible, there is a devotion on the same topic based on Psalm 15, which begins with this question: "O Lord, who shall sojourn in your tent? Who shall dwell on your holy hill?" (v 1).

The study notes state: "Poses a daunting question: Who is worthy to enter and remain in God's holy presence?" No one is, if we are to be honest. The devotion in the men's study bible states a great deal about posture. How do we approach God in his own house, the church, when we come to worship him?

In a word: Humility. Every week, we enter God's house and acknowledge who he is and what we are by confessing our sins at the start of the service, asking God for forgiveness. It is worth noting that David does the same in v 2 of the passage, asking God to search him. Such a request means outwardly and inwardly, not just our actions, but what is on our hearts as well.

David concludes the psalm with an acknowledgement of God's grace and work through his Son, Jesus Christ:

"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."

Our integrity is found through Jesus Christ, "the author and perfector of our faith." Only through Christ do I have integrity. It puts me on the same level ground as every other man in the assembly, no earthly status can change that (not even being king of Israel).

Pray with me: Gracious Father, My integrity is found in your Son Jesus Christ and him alone. On Christ, the solid rock I stand. Forgive me when I rely on my own actions, and return me to this one foundation. In his name, Amen.

"Men's Study Bible." Crossway Publishing - Wheaton, Illinois - 2001