The Faithful Await Vindication In Steadfastness
Nehemiah 11, Psalm 26 (NIV)
(Giam Lay Hoon, DISCIPLE Facilitator, Discipleship & Nurture)
READ:
Psalm 26 (NIV)
OBSERVE:
1. Verse 1: The Psalmist pleads for vindication; in a season of crisis and persecution, when he is surrounded by enemies and is unable to obtain approval from the world, he asks only for some kind of approval and vindication from the LORD.
2. Verses 2, 3: Prove me, try me, examine me. In verse 2, the Psalmist asks God to test him. In a situation of testing times, in the presence of his enemies, he desperately needed the assurance from the Lord. He had the belief that he would “pass” such a test, no matter what the world around him might think of him, because he had been obedient and, “I walk in your faithfulness”. He had deliberately acted to walk in the ways required by the Lord.
3. Verse 4 to 8: The Psalmist lays out evidence of his faithfulness by setting out the following:
- I do not sit with men of falsehood.
- I do not consort with hypocrites.
- I hate the assembly of evildoers.
- I will not sit with the wicked.
- I wash my hands in innocence.
- I proclaim thanksgiving.
- I love the habitation of your house.
4. Verses 9, 10: The Psalmist requests:
- Do not gather my soul with the sinners.
- Do not gather my life with bloodthirsty men, in whose hands are sinister schemes and bribes.
5. Verses 11, 12: The Psalmist declares and promises:
- I will walk in integrity.
- My feet stand in an even place.
- In the congregations, I will bless the Lord.
APPLY
This was a difficult passage for me as I sought to understand and apply its teaching to my life.
There are many situations in life in which there may not be signs of approval in our discipleship journey. We too seek the assurance that we would be vindicated. Like the Psalmist, I want my vindication to come from the Lord and not from the world.
I am assured because 1 John 2:1 tells me that I have an Advocate, Jesus Christ the Righteous, who has set out my case before God. He stands between me and the hand of justice.
Verse 1 to 3: The teaching for me is that the truly faithful do not make light of the Lord’s Commandments.
I am to walk in integrity and with unwavering trust, at all times keeping a vision of God’s steadfast love in front of me in my walk.
The Devil gives us pressure to perform with excellence at school and in our careers, fit into the highest social echelons, look like a movie-star or supermodel, and strive for a form of unachievable perfection just so as to be accepted. But God’s yardstick is different. The faithful believer, like the Psalmist, lives by unwavering faith and trust in the Lord.
Verse 4 to 8: The teaching for me is to know when to set myself apart and flee when necessary. There are many situations in which I will have to make deliberate choices.
Do I allow:
- wicked online content,
- violent scenes,
- sarcasm and unfound criticism found in popular programming,
- sensational messages “forwarded many times”
- ungodly pursuits to occupy my time and my mind space?
Or is it more pleasing to the Lord to spend that time
- building spiritual relationships,
- fellowshipping with senior family members,
- keeping in touch with friends,
- lending a helping hand,
- sending an encouraging note,
- praying with a friend,
- volunteering with a group needing an extra hand?
Verse 9 and 10: Rather than misunderstand the intent of the kingdom of God as not being inclusive of the imperfect, I take away the thought that just as I am, God has included me, He has sought me and His steadfast love is before my very eyes. I have made the conscious choice and response to allow him to make me a new creation; my Creator God has created me, and he re-creates me, every single day, as I seek daily to
- See Him more clearly,
- Love Him more dearly,
- Follow Him more nearly.
Verse 11, 12: “I will walk in my integrity” is not the easiest thing to do when the world pulls you towards its values, blurs your vision with conspiracy theories, asks that you challenge authority that has been placed above you.
But God is the highest above all of the world and together with the Psalmist, the word tells me to stand my ground and proclaim publicly “in the assembly” why I am proudly able to say “Bless The Lord O My Soul”, as my feet stay on level ground. This is because I have the confidence that:
“But as for me, I shall walk in my integrity, redeem me, and be gracious to me.”
DO
Remember not to be ashamed of not falling into societal pressures that seek human approval and worldly affirmation, but to always be reassured of the vindication that comes from our Lord alone.
PRAY
Dear Lord, I pray that in my reading of your word daily, it will not be an exercise separate from the living of your word daily.
Bless every believer with the knowledge and conviction that the only vindication, approval, recognition and redemption that we need is from you alone. Make in me a disciple that will glorify you with my life, For you alone deserve all glory and praise.
In Christ’s Name I Pray, Amen.
