February 7, 2017
CLEAR MY NAME (NOW!)
Psalm 26
Jennie Weizel
Central Truth
Having your integrity or motives questioned can be extremely difficult when you feel you have done everything to the best of your abilities and God’s standards. Knowing that God sees everything and knows your heart can bring much comfort in a season when you feel misunderstood.
Key Verse | Psalm 26:1
Vindicate me, O Lord,
for I have walked in my integrity,
and I have trusted in the Lord without wavering.
(Psalm 26:1)
Psalm 26
I Will Bless the LORD
Of David.
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
26:2
Hebrew test my kidneys and my heart
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.
Dive Deeper | Psalm 26
Nothing says Friday night at our house like settling in on the couch and turning on an episode of Dateline. I immediately get roped in by the he said/she said drama that ultimately leads to a trial where the “innocent” land in jail. Sometimes, it baffles me that all the evidence will point directly to someone, and yet that person still claims innocence. When the guilty verdict comes down, however, he or she will solemnly walk out of the courtroom and into the jail cell. I don’t know about you, but if I were convicted or charged with something I didn’t do, I would be kicking and screaming as I’m being escorted out.
In Psalm 26, David is suspected of something that he didn’t do, and he is expressing his innocence and frustration to the one true Judge. David had it right! He tells God that he has walked with integrity and trusted His plan (verse 1), surrounded himself with all the right community (verse 4), and worshiped with a pure heart (verse 7). And he even asks God to check him if he has done wrong (verse 2). If I were in David’s shoes, I would want to focus on clearing my name with friends, family, community members, and those whose value I hold higher (sometimes) than the Lord and how He views and values me. I’m reminded that my audience and judgment is not based on what others think of me (my family, my parenting, community involvement, or my work), but on how I honor God when no one is around.
Vindication is what David wants NOW, and we have to be reminded of one of the most important promises in Isaiah: God will vindicate us, but “[M]y thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD.” (Isaiah 55:8)
I shouldn’t be chasing an acquittal from anyone here on earth, but rather from my Father in heaven . . . and guess what? He’s already given me an acquittal a thousand times over by sending Jesus to die on the cross for my sins. When I stop and ponder that truth, it leads me to worship.
Discussion Questions
1. Do you find yourself caring more about the opinions of the ones around you or of the Lord?
2. Do you have community in your life that will hold you accountable about those times when no one is looking?
3. Why can it be so difficult to do the right thing when no one is around, while it seems easier to make good decisions in a group setting?
4. Was anyone else reminded after reading this passage of the 2007 hit by Dashboard Confessional, "Vindicated"?