Presented, July 2, 2006 pm
I HAVE WALKED IN MY INTEGRITY
Psalm 26
A psalm written by David. He pours out his heart to the Lord for this.
I. Judge Me, O Lord (1-3)
a.
Probably written at a time when David had either been
wronged and blamed for something that was not his fault or falsely accused
before man of something.
While the time is not specified, some place it at the murder of Ishbosheth, the
son of Saul. In 2 Samuel 4, David has been made king and Saul is dead. Saul’s
son Ishbosheth, who at one time fought for his father, has lost heart (4:1). He
was murdered in his home by two of Saul’s former captains and the head brought
to David (5-8). David was not happy and had the men executed for killing an
innocent man.
b.
David begins by appealing to God (The word Lord is
JEHOVAH). While man judges often with improper motives, and at times in
ignorance (e.g. – without all the facts), God NEVER does. This is something we
can take consolation in – 1 Corinthians 4:1-5.
Here, regardless of what men might think, David pleads his case before God. He
wants to be right with Him. He has nothing to hide, especially before God -
which can’t accomplish anyway (Hebrews 4:13)
c. He has walked in his integrity (See point II below).
d.
He trusts where he needs it most (in the Lord). Man
often lets us down, but God knows what is best and is always there for us WHEN
we put our trust in Him.
Solomon wrote, “The fear of man brings a snare, But whoever trusts in the
LORD shall be safe.” Proverbs 29:25
Proverbs 16:20, “He who heeds the word wisely will find good, And whoever
trusts in the LORD, happy is he.”
Prov 18:10, “The name of the LORD is a strong tower; The righteous run
to it and are safe.”
Prov 30:5, “Every word of God is pure; He is a shield to those who put
their trust in Him.”
NOTE: There are times when it seems that God has let us down, but an
honest examination will cause us to realize that instead of Him leaving us, we
have left Him by our sinful conduct.
Trusting in the Lord, David knows that he will never slide (away from Him).
(cf. 2 Peter 1:10, 1 Peter 1:5, etc.)
e.
“Examine me” David says to the Lord – think of
that for a moment. How many of us can honestly call upon God to judge us? Do
we stand prepared before Him?
NOTE: There is only ONE way you can say that – IF you first examine
yourself – 2 Corinthians 13:5
f. “Prove me” – David wants to be right before God AND he knows that he is. He challenges God to test his heart and reins (the inner most parts of his body). This is one with an honest and upright heart. THAT IS WHY David has nothing to fear. He has CONFIDENCE, but not over-confidence.
g.
You
loving-kindness is before my eyes –
David is aware of the greatness of God’s love and he keeps that with him.
Therefore he is humbled.
Also, I see this as something David is trying to imitate. He is reminded of His
loving-kindness and wants to imitate it in his life. Cf. 1 John 4:19-21,
4:7-12.
h.
And he has
walked in truth – David has tried to
do good and right. It is not enough to render lip service to God – we MUST
FOLLOW His path.
It is truly sad how many today are ignorantly practicing error while thinking
they are following after God. I say ignorantly because they have not
bothered to find out the truth for themselves.
David was confident in his walk and could trust in God.
II. I have Walked in my integrity (1)
a. Not the first time David has called upon God in this manner. Psalm 7:8, etc.
b.
What is integrity? Webster’s, “firm adherence to a
code of esp. moral or artistic values. 3. The quality or state of being
undivided or complete.”
Louw & Nida define the word as, “pertaining to being truthful or honest”
(88:39) For example, Matthew 22:16 where Jesus is complimented (though with
trickery) saying, “You are true”
Another definition is, the quality of integrity as an expression of moral
soundness – Titus 1:7 where young men are called upon to have this virtue.
I think of words like virtue (2 Peter 1:5), moral excellence, Matthew 5:8,
“blessed are the pure in heart”, etc.
c. Prov. 10:9, He who walks with integrity walks securely
d. Prov. 20:7, a characteristic of the righteous
e.
Job 2:3, Job is pleasing to God because of his
integrity.
Vs. 9 - His wife chastises him for holding on to his integrity. You can lose
many things in this life, but as long as you have integrity…
III. His integrity is also seen in where he has NOT been (4-5)
a. 2 Corinthians 6:14-18 calls for us to NOT be unequally yoked together with unbelievers.
b. What David said in these two verses is that he had shunned evil. This is WHY he could with confidence invite God to examine him.
c.
1 Corinthians 15:33 warns us about associating with
that which is evil.
Ephesians 5:11 says to have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness,
but rather expose them.
d. David said he:
i. He had not sat with vain persons – those whose motives were worthless. Those whose pursuits are ONLY in this world. YES we have to do business with and associate with the worldly on a daily basis, but where do “kick off our shoes” and sit down? Do we find we are most comfortable with the ungodly or with God’s people?
ii. He had not gone with hypocrites (dissemblers). David had NO desire to be around pretentious people. Why? Their influence will rub off on you.
iii. I have hated the assembly of the evil doers. HERE we find hatred properly directed. Do we find ourselves in dens of iniquity by choice?
iv. He would not sit with the wicked – like the worthless, the places of the wicked are not the places where the godly find themselves. I think of a certain apostle who warmed himself by the fire of the enemy (John 18:18).
IV. He would wash his hands in innocence. (6-8)
a.
When Pilate called for a bowl of water to wash his
hands of the condemnation of Jesus, he supposedly declared his innocence
(Matthew 27:24). We know better – for what he turned his back on was
stopping that which was corrupt and evil within itself. AS Jesus
Himself said, “The one who delivered Me to you has the greater sin.”
(John 19:11) He did not absolve Pilate of any guilt at all.
DAVID, on the other hand here says that he IS innocent, having nothing to do
with the evil act(s) he has in mind. If it be the account mentioned above, not
only did he condemn the act, he severely punished those who carried it out.
b. In the washing of hands I see two things.
i.
An outward act before men to testify to all that he is
truly innocent. Baptism is an outward action in the sense that it is something
we physically do. We are immersed in water in the name of Jesus Christ for the
remission of our sins (Acts 2:38). It is a passive act that is witnessed. It
is a burial with Christ, as in Romans 6:3-4.
David outwardly professed his innocence.
ii. But baptism is also an act which saves us – Mark 16:16, 1 Peter 3:21. In baptism our sins are washed away (Acts 22:16) which makes us pure in God’s eyes. Yes, David outwardly professed his innocence, but he also COMPLIED with all of God’s demands so that he would be pure enough to serve God properly.
c. Notice what David was able to proclaim as he washed his hands.
i. I will go about your altar. He was in a right condition to offer sacrifices to God.
ii. He could proclaim with thanksgiving and tell of God’s greatness by his experience.
iii. He LOVED the Lord’s house and being in his presence. NOTE: Those who are living hypocritical lives cannot say these things.
d. Can we approach God as David did? Can we do so with confidence? (Hebrews 4:16, 13:6 – boldly) We must remind ourselves that we ARE representing God in our lives. What does our conduct say to others? DO THEY SEE HYPOCRISY? Does our conduct glorify God or does it make Him abominable to others?
V. He requests deliverance from the wicked (9-10)
a. David is fearful of being associated with the ungodly. He requests of God that He deliver him from them.
b. Especially in death, if that be the Lord’s will, he does not want to be counted with the wicked. First by reputation, and second, in their final destination. Consider Revelation 22:14-15, “Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city. But outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie.”
VI. But regardless of how the Lord answers, he will keep his integrity. (11-12)
a. He concludes as he began, “I will walk in my integrity.”
b.
He declares that his foot will stand in an even place
– the idea being with a sure footing. Where he stands he can FIRMLY plant his
feet. What does that mean?
HE IS NOT STRADDLING THE FENCE! He is far enough to the side where God is that
such is not a fear. He is the solid rock and not the sand (Matthew 7:24-27).
c.
Finally, in
the congregations (wherever he is assembled with others) he will bless the LORD.
When we KNOW that we are pleasing to God, we can honestly bless the Lord in the
congregation.
See Hebrews 2:12, “For both He who sanctifies and those who are being
sanctified are all of one, for which reason He is not ashamed to call them
brethren, saying: "I will declare Your name to My brethren; In the midst of the
assembly I will sing praise to You."”
In this psalm we see a confident David. Confidence is not wrong and when we have done all that we should, as we should, we ought to be confident. What about you? Can you confidently say that you are saved and on the Lord’s side? If not, do whatever you need to do to change that lack of confidence right now! While there is still time.