Hobart Herd Devotional – Psalms 26 – 5-26-20
This Psalm is different in that David worships God from the position of righteousness and integrity. He doesn’t spend much time asking for forgiveness, but asks the Lord to vindicate his life by testing and proving that he has walked in faithfulness to the Lord. It reminds me of the Hymn, Trust and Obey. “When we walk with the Lord, in the light of His word; what a glory He sheds on our way. When we do His good will, He abides with us still, and with all who will trust and obey. Trust and Obey, for there’s no other way; to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.”
David’s testimony was also that he avoided sitting and being around, false hypocrites and wicked living people. A reminder that, in order to walk in God’s faithfulness and strength, we need to make sure we don’t fellowship and walk with those who don’t walk with the Lord. This reminds me of the story of Lot, who was so drawn to having the treasures and pleasures of this world, that God had to send angels to remove him from the wickedness of Sodom and Gomorrah. As God destroyed these cities for the extremely wicked behavior, Lots wife looked back and became a pillar of salt. We need to be careful of who and where we hang out if we expect to walk in righteousness and integrity.
Psalms 26:11-12,11 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.(ESV) David did not just stand in his own strength an testimony, but gave credit to the Lord for His redemption and grace in allowing him to stand in the strength of integrity provided by God’s power. Make sure God receives the glory for your integrity and faithfulness as pride comes before the fall.
Father, thank You for redeeming me from my sin and placing Your Spirit within me so that I can walk in the blessings of integrity and righteousness. Help me to be faithful to You so that You receive all the glory. Keep me from the fellowship of wickedness and guard my heart from those what would lead me astray. In Jesus name, Amen. Pastor Rob