Examine Me, Lord God (Psalm 26:1-5)

Today's scripture: Psalm 26:1-5

We talked about this word on Wednesday: Integrity. It's worth a more in-depth investigation. Integrity is a word that's thrown out quite often. But what does it really mean to be a person of integrity? As I wrote before, a person of integrity is the same in public as she is in private.

In other words, what you see is what you get.

Often, however, we have a public face, one that we show to the world. We're kind, gentle, and humble when we're with others, but behind closed doors, we complain, nitpick, compare, and think ourselves better than others.

Guess what? God can see behind closed doors. He sees the face we put on for others; He sees the darkest places in our hearts. We can't get away with anything.

Wow. This is convicting.

Can I really pray along with the psalmist that God examine me? Prove me? Try my mind and heart?

Oh, how I would like to give an unequivocal "yes!"

But too often I hide my unholy thoughts or do things in private that I know are not honoring God.

It's then when I drop to my knees (often figuratively as my knees don't "fall" like they used to) and ask the Holy Spirit to help me be the woman God created me to be. To help me be the same in private and in public.

To help me be a woman of integrity.

A Legacy of Integrity (Psalm 25:16-22)

Today's scripture: Psalm 25:16-22

What do you want your epitaph to be? What do you want people to say about you when you're gone? What kind of legacy do you want to leave?

I would count it a blessing to be described as a woman of "integrity and uprightness." I've heard integrity as being the same in private as in public. No masks. No hidden agendas. Just "what you see is what you get."

Several people in the Bible have been described with words that illustrate integrity and uprightness. Stephen is called "... a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit ... full of grace and power" (Acts 6:5, 8). David is called "a man after [God's] own heart" (1 Samuel 13:14). Abraham "believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness, and he was called the 'friend of God'" (James 2:23). Jacob became the father of the nation of Israel.

Great words for anyone's epitaph, wouldn't you say?

These were not perfect men. We know David committed adultery and arranged for the death of Uriah. Abraham lied twice about Sarah's being his sister. Jacob stole his brother's birthright.

No, they weren't perfect, but they believed in and followed a perfect God. Though they failed sometimes, their hearts were focused on God and His purpose, so they strove to be men of integrity and uprightness.

I may not be (ok, I am not!) perfect, but I too strive to be a woman of integrity and uprightness. I try to be the same person privately and publicly. I do my best to be live the fruit of the Spirit and to filter my thoughts, words, and actions through Philippians 4:8.

Perhaps one day, my epitaph will read something like Stephen's. Or David's. Or Abraham's.

That's the legacy I want to leave. What about you?

A Person of Character (Philippians 2:19-24)

Today’s scripture: Philippians 2:19-24

One of the many things I love about Paul’s epistles is how real they are. Just as any letter we would write, he includes little bits of personal business. These verses don’t have any real exhortation or teaching. They just state what Paul plans to do. He’s going to send Timothy to the Philippian Christians to care for them and report back to Paul how they’re doing. And he himself hopes to come to them soon.

In the middle of this information-giving, Paul drops a little nugget: He’s sending Timothy in particular because of his “proven character.” This young protégé of Paul’s served with his own father and has already proven himself to be a man of character who loves the gospel. Paul is certain the younger man will care deeply for the people—just as Paul himself would.

Isn’t that how you want to be described? A person of proven character who sincerely cares for fellow believers? A person who serves God and shares the gospel?

I know I do. I have a long way to go (and thankfully I’m still that work in progress here on earth!), but I pray God will continue to refine my character and draw me more closely to Him. And I know He will.

Blessing and Cursing (Psalm 62:3-4)

Today's scripture: Psalm 62:3-4

We've talked about integrity before, and I've mentioned the definition I like: being the same in public as one is in private. Verse four of today's scripture describes a person who is without integrity. He "bless[es] with [his] mouth," yet he "curse[s] inwardly." He shows compassion to his coworkers, but doesn't listen to his wife's concerns. She volunteers for every committee to appear helpful and giving, but complains about her "full plate."

We need to allow the Holy Spirit work in and through us. We need to strive to be the same outwardly and inwardly. We need to be loving, joyful, and patient in each and every circumstance—in public and in private.

We may think that what happens in our hearts doesn't matter. No one sees inside our hearts and minds, right? Absolutely not! Our God knows everything ... everything! Nothing can be hidden from Him. So, to think that we can harbor hate or anger or unforgiveness in our hearts is wrong. He sees all that junk.

If you're blessing with your mouth and cursing in your heart, ask the Lord to cleanse your heart from everything that does not strengthen and edify you and does not glorify the Lord.

Stand Firm (Psalm 26:9-12)

Today's scripture: Psalm 26:9-12

On Friday, I wrote about being a person of integrity, and yesterday, I wrote of living with an "attitude of gratitude." Today's verses wrap up this psalm nicely.

No matter what happens in life, even if we're surrounded by "sinners ... [and] bloodthirsty men," we have choices to make. We can buy into the world's sin and corruption, or we can "walk in integrity" and be the people God has created us to be. We can be shining lights in this dark world.

We can wallow in the mire of all that is wrong with this world—and perhaps in our own lives—or we can "stand in an even place ... [and] bless the Lord."

It's not easy to stand strong when everyone around tells us to "live and let live." You don't have to live by old-fashioned morals, they say. If it makes you happy, do it, they cajole. Go to church on Sundays, if you must, but have fun the rest of the week, they entice.

Living like Christ, following biblical principles, being people of integrity ... these aren't popular.

If we are, however, redeemed by the blood of Christ, how can we live any other way? If we have experienced the grace our merciful God offers us, how can we not stand firm?

We who follow Christ are a blessed people. One day, we'll stand in front of our Redeemer ... Will He find us to be people of integrity who stood strong in faith?

I hope so. I pray so.

Walk in Integrity (Psalm 25:1-5)

Today's scripture: Psalm 26:1-5

Integrity. A word that's thrown out quite often. But what does it really mean to be a person of integrity? I believe I've written about this before, but a great definition I heard a while ago is that a person of integrity is the same in public as she is in private.

In other words, what you see is what you get.

Often, however, we have a public face, one that we show to the world. We're kind, gentle, and humble when we're with others, but behind closed doors, we complain, nitpick, compare, and think ourselves better than others.

Guess what? God can see behind closed doors. He sees the face we put on for others; He sees the darkest places in our hearts. We can't get away with anything.

Wow. This is convicting.

Can I really pray along with the psalmist that God examine me? Prove me? Try my mind and heart?

Oh, how I would like to give an unequivocal "yes!"

But too often I hide my unholy thoughts or do things in private that I know are not honoring God.

It's then when I drop to my knees (often figuratively as my knees don't "fall" like they used to) and ask the Holy Spirit to help me be the woman God created me to be. To help me be the same in private and in public.

To help me be a woman of integrity.

Your Epitaph (Psalm 25:16-22)

Today's scripture: Psalm 25:16-22

What do you want your epitaph to be? What do you want people to say about you when you're gone? What kind of legacy do you want to leave?

I would count it a blessing to be described as a woman of "integrity and uprightness." I've heard integrity as being the same in private as in public. No masks. No hidden agendas. Just "what you see is what you get."

Several people in the Bible have been described with words that illustrate integrity and uprightness. Stephen is called "... a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit ... full of grace and power" (NASB, Acts 6:5, 8). David is called "a man after [God's] own heart" (1 Samuel 13:14). Abraham "believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness, and he was called the 'friend of God'" (James 2:23). Jacob became the father of the nation of Israel.

Great words for anyone's epitaph, wouldn't you say?

These were not perfect men. We know David committed adultery and arranged for the death of Uriah. Abraham lied twice about Sarah's being his sister. Jacob stole his brother's birthright.

No, they weren't perfect, but they believed in and followed a perfect God. Though they failed sometimes, their hearts were focused on God and His purpose, so they strove to be men of integrity and uprightness.

I may not be (ok, I am not!) perfect, but I too strive to be a woman of integrity and uprightness. I try to be the same person privately and publicly. I do my best to be live the fruit of the Spirit (NKJV, Galatians 5:22) and to filter my thoughts, words, and actions through Philippians 4:8.

Perhaps one day, my epitaph will read something like Stephen's. Or David's. Or Abraham's.

That's the legacy I want to leave. What about you?

Do Not Grieve the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 4:30)

Today's scripture: Ephesians 4:30

Yesterday, we looked at how we should avoid “unwholesome” words. When we don’t, we “grieve the Holy Spirit of God.”

What does it mean to “grieve the Holy Spirit”? To grieve is to “cause to suffer.” Can you imagine it? Causing the Holy Spirit—part of the triune God—to suffer? As Paul often wrote, may it never be.

So what is the result of our grieving the Spirit? I researched this concept, and the Adam Clarke Commentary says, when we “give to sin,” we grieve the Spirit so He “shall withdraw both [His] light and presence …” And the Matthew Henry Concise Commentary exhorts, “Provoke not the holy, blessed Spirit of God to withdraw his presence and his gracious influences.”

Oh my … This puts my using “unwholesome” words—or sinning at all—in a new perspective. I need the Spirit’s affirmation and conviction daily. And to think that my sin might cause Him to withdraw His influence?

That causes me to grieve.