Lead A Blameless Life
BRD REFLECTIONS
Jeremiah 21, 22 and Psalm 26 (NIV)
(Stanley Loh, Zone 12 Core Team, Small Group Ministry )
READ:
Jeremiah 21, 22 and Psalm 26 (NIV)
OBSERVE:
Jeremiah Chapters 21 and 22 recorded the dark years of Israel.
Jeremiah 21:9 – Whoever stays in this city will die by the sword, famine or plague. But whoever goes out and surrenders to the Babylonians who are besieging you will live.
Jeremiah 22:3-9 – 3The Lord says: “Do what is just and right…. 5 But if you do not obey these commands, I swear by myself that this palace will become a ruin.”… 8‘Why has the Lord done such a thing to this great city?’ 9 ‘Because they have forsaken the covenant of the Lord their God and have worshiped and served other gods.’”
To some Christians, reading the Old Testament is a challenge where God is depicted as a Sovereign God who will mete out punishment for disobedience. Exile for the Jews in a foreign land or the wilderness can be for decades and generations.
And then Psalm 26:1 opens with these words from David, “Vindicate me, Lord, for I have led a blameless life; I have trusted in the Lord and have not faltered.” And further down in the chapter are these words: “I have lived in reliance on your faithfulness; I do not sit with the deceitful, nor associate with hypocrites; I abhor the assembly of evildoers, refuse to sit with the wicked; wash my hands in innocence; proclaiming aloud your praise and telling of all your wonderful deeds. Do not take away my soul along with sinners, my life with those who are bloodthirsty, in whose hands are wicked schemes, whose right hands are full of bribes. I lead a blameless life; deliver me and be merciful to me.”
APPLY:
These were David’s words. It sounded so pure, so righteous and yet elitist. How do I identify myself with him? I am nowhere like David; I am not blameless and I have faith that is not larger than the mustard seed. I struggled especially with how David fell from grace with his sins and yet could say these words.
Yet God considered him right and faithful not because of his words but because God knew David’s heart and he was genuinely faithful and was a man after God’s heart.
Thanks be to God that today, we have an advocate with God in Jesus. Jesus came and died for us and with this death and resurrection, made amends to atone for our sins.
DO:
I will continue to struggle to lead a blameless life: trust the Lord and not falter; rely on His faithfulness; not sit with the deceitful, hypocrites, evildoers and wicked.
Yet all I want now is to commit on an intentional and disciplined faith journey led by His Word and the Holy Spirit.
PRAY:
Lord, won’t you hear my prayer and fill my heart with the overflowing desire to walk faithfully according to your will for my life? This is my humble prayer. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
