Daily Devotional Tuesday 12th October 2021
by William Moody
Psalms 26–27
I Will Bless the Lord
Of David.
26:1 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.1
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.
8 O LORD, I love the habitation of your house
and the place where your glory dwells.
9 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 Lord Is My Light and My Salvation
Of David.
27:1 The LORD is my light and my salvation;
whom shall I fear?
The LORD is the stronghold2 of my life;
of whom shall I be afraid?
2 When evildoers assail me
to eat up my flesh,
my adversaries and foes,
it is they who stumble and fall.
3 Though an army encamp against me,
my heart shall not fear;
though war arise against me,
yet3 I will be confident.
4 One thing have I asked of the LORD,
that will I seek after:
that I may dwell in the house of the LORD
all the days of my life,
to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD
and to inquire4 in his temple.
5 For he will hide me in his shelter
in the day of trouble;
he will conceal me under the cover of his tent;
he will lift me high upon a rock.
6 And now my head shall be lifted up
above my enemies all around me,
and I will offer in his tent
sacrifices with shouts of joy;
I will sing and make melody to the LORD.
7 Hear, O LORD, when I cry aloud;
be gracious to me and answer me!
8 You have said, “Seek5 my face.”
My heart says to you,
“Your face, LORD, do I seek.”6
9 Hide not your face from me.
Turn not your servant away in anger,
O you who have been my help.
Cast me not off; forsake me not,
O God of my salvation!
10 For my father and my mother have forsaken me,
but the LORD will take me in.
11 Teach me your way, O LORD,
and lead me on a level path
because of my enemies.
12 Give me not up to the will of my adversaries;
for false witnesses have risen against me,
and they breathe out violence.
13 I believe that I shall look7 upon the goodness of the LORD
in the land of the living!
14 Wait for the LORD;
be strong, and let your heart take courage;
wait for the LORD!Footnotes
[1] 26:2
Hebrew test my kidneys and my heart
[2] 27:1Or refuge
[3] 27:3Or in this
[4] 27:4Or meditate
[5] 27:8The command (seek) is addressed to more than one person
[6] 27:8The meaning of the Hebrew verse is uncertain
[7] 27:13Other Hebrew manuscripts Oh! Had I not believed that I would look (ESV)
What is happening in Psalm 26 is that David has sought to faithfully follow and serve the Lord yet things seem to be going against him as he is being attacked by enemies.
We have lessons to learn here about what it means to be faithful to the Lord. David speaks of his walk of integrity (v1a), of unwavering trust (v1b), of a faithful heart and mind (v2) which focuses on the Lord’s love and faithfulness (v3). He deliberately avoids liar, hypocrites, evildoers and the wicked (v4-5). He loves the place of worship (v6-8) and bringing God praise.
Look at these characteristics which David had and consider how do you measure up?
David his faithfulness David is in danger of being swept away (v9-10) by evil. Even though we may walk faithfully it does not mean all will go well with us and that life will not be difficult. Consider Jesus who lived the one perfect life and yet it was God’s will for Him to suffer.
We must accept that suffering may be our lot, but like David be determined no matter what comes our way that we will walk in integrity (v11) and stand secure in God’s presence (v12).
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