Psalm 26: standing upon level ground
Read Psalm 26
Of David.
Question for the day . . .
Do we seek the acceptance of God or are we chasing after who or what the world says we should be?
Because, quite honestly, in the eyes of the world, we are forever unworthy. Never enough. Never strong enough. Never beautiful enough. Never good enough.
Fortunately, as a son or daughter of the King, none of that worldly stuff is the Lord’s measure for us.
Make one claim, my friends, and live by it. Every moment or every day.
But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD. Joshua 24:15
David is a good example to seek to follow in this regard. We often see words like these in the psalms. David knew that the will of the Father was more important than his own, or others around him. This psalm once again testifies to David’s desire to always be seeking the Father’s will for his life and his people to the detriment of relationships around him, and even within his own house.
Remember the story of David dancing and sacrificing before the Lord as the Ark of the Covenant was brought into Jerusalem (2 Samuel 6)? Michal, Saul’s daughter and one of David’s wives, was embarrassed by him . . .
Read 2 Samuel 6:16-22
Take David’s advice and shamelessly dance and sing before the Lord today, my friends. Raise your hands and sing, bask in the glory of God’s creation, and do it all as your Father in heaven watches you.
And when it’s hard to dance and celebrate, then remember . . .
For Your goodness is before my eyes, and I have walked in Your truth.
Psalm 26:3 NASB2020
for thy lovingkindness is before mine eyes; and I have walked in thy truth.
Psalm 26:3 KJV
When the celebrating is over and something like Michal’s voice tries to take you down, fear or worry grips your heart, or you just plain feel unworthy of anything good anymore . . . remember God’s unfailing love, his lovingkindness, his steadfast love.
God’s love is never far away. The comfort of His arms and presence is always within reach. We just have to remember.
Read Revelation 3:20
My friends, Jesus is never farther away than the other side of the door of your heart. And when you invite Him in, He’s not just dropping by to say “hi.” He’s coming to dinner.
David goes on to discuss his certainty of the path he had chosen, that of the Lord:
Read Psalm 26:4-6 (different translation for fun)
Let us just stop here for a moment.
David does not say “I have never met any of these people.” He says, “I do not sit with these people; I don’t call them friends; and I certainly will not congregate with them.”
That’s quite a distinction.
Sometimes we can find ourselves attracted to sinners. We listen to them. We invite them in. Maybe we do so to try and share our faith with them. God wants us to do that. We should be kind and loving to all. But we cannot “sit” and “dine” with all. Not because we are better than them, but because we are not strong enough. What happens when we open the door to sin?
Once we open the door to dining and entertaining people like this, we could be led astray. Soon enough we join in. We look up to them. We laugh with them. We start to sound like them. And forget our path with the Lord.
God certainly gives us some people the ability to be strong enough, whether in the moment or in their character, to face these people or situations head on with strength and resolve. For most of us, He instructs us to flee from, to run away from sin and roads that can lead to our destruction.
But I have lived an innocent life. So save me and be kind to me.
Psalm 26:11 ICB
But as for me, I will walk in mine integrity; redeem me, and be merciful unto me.
Psalm 26:11 KJV
David is not claiming that he is without sin. He just spent ten verses calling upon his great need for God’s help and mercy. It’s almost like a this point, after pouring his heart out to God, he says-
“Okay, Father, I’ve let it all go, and now I know you go with me.”
Yet, by no means is he [David] a boaster, or a self-righteous vaunter of his own strength for he cries for redemption and pleads for mercy. Our integrity is not absolute nor inherent, it is a work of grace in us, and is marred by human infirmity; we must, therefore, resort to the redeeming blood and to the throne of mercy, confessing that though we are saints among men, we must still bow as sinners before God.
Charles Spurgeon, English preacher, 1834-1892
And finally, David ends with this beautiful statement:
Read the final verse in a couple different translations.
David has not slipped, though he has enemies closing in, but he is afraid. David sees the strife and evil all around him, yet he knows upon Whom he stands. And upon Whom he can trust.
And because the Lord is faithful to uphold him, to keep his foot from slipping, David will sing praises to the Lord amongst a great crowd. He will shout and dance and sing to the Lord. And he will not care who is watching because the One that matters is looking on in love.
So, my friends, today and every day forward let us choose.
Johsua 24:15
Father in heaven, we choose to serve you and to seek after the things of your heart. Help us to be strong and courageous, to turn away from the loudness of our world, and to hear your voice instead and to answer your knock at the doors of our hearts. Every moment of every day. Father, heal our world, keep our loved ones healthy, strengthen your church. We love you. Thank you for your faithfulness, your steadfast love, your lovingkindnesses. Amen.
Heidi xoxo