Saturday, June 17, 2023

Today’s Scripture Reading
Psalm 26

Vindicate me, O Lord, for I have walked in my integrity, and I have trusted in the Lord without wavering.

Prove me, O Lord, and try me; test my heart and mind.

For your steadfast love is before my eyes, and I walk in faithfulness to you.

I do not sit with the worthless, nor do I consort with hypocrites;

I hate the company of evildoers, and will not sit with the wicked.

I wash my hands in innocence, and go around your altar, O Lord,

singing aloud a song of thanksgiving, and telling all your wondrous deeds.

O Lord, I love the house in which you dwell, and the place where your glory abides.

Do not sweep me away with sinners, nor my life with the bloodthirsty,

those in whose hands are evil devices, and whose right hands are full of bribes.

But as for me, I walk in my integrity; redeem me, and be gracious to me.

My foot stands on level ground; in the great congregation I will bless the Lord. (NRSV)

Reflection
It’s easy to feel a little off-put when first reading this psalm, probably written by David. It can come across as if he is claiming to be blameless and it is his accusers who are to blame and who are after him. This was probably written when David was being hunted by Saul.

We probably shouldn’t interpret this prayer as a claim of total innocence. What if David is appealing to God with a commitment to his faith? He wants to live with integrity and has the confidence in his faith to ask God to test his heart. It doesn’t mean David was blameless.

Similarly, we don’t get a free pass just because God gave us the gift of grace through God’s Son, Jesus Christ. We know we are sinners, and we also proclaim every week in worship the good news that our sins are forgiven. That doesn’t mean, however, that we can just “play the grace card” and do whatever we want.

We should strive to have enough confidence in our faith to truly welcome God to examine our hearts. Even though God already knows what’s in our hearts, we should ask God to hold us accountable through examination. Then we’ll be moving toward living with integrity and be less at risk of “playing the grace card.”

Prayer
God, you know what is in our hearts. Please examine us and help us to be accountable to you, so we are living with integrity and living into our faith. Thank you for the forgiveness you give us through your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Written by Anthony Hipp, Member of Fourth Presbyterian Church

Reflection and Prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church

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