READING: Psalms 89, 96, 100, 101, 107
“I will live with a heart of integrity in my house.”
Psalm 101:2
I wonder what intentional commitments to holiness we make. Perhaps some of us made such a commitment several times during our teenage years, but I’m not convinced that most believers commit themselves fully to godliness. Our commitment is sometimes more surface level than deep, evidenced by our lifestyles that are often much like the world.
David, on the other hand, committed himself to godliness as he reigned as king. He did not always live up to his commitment, but the commitment of this psalm was surely genuine at the time. Note his commitments:
- He would sing of God’s faithful love and justice, knowing that God’s love is still far beyond his understanding.
- He would be a man of complete integrity in the public eye, in his home, and ultimately in his kingdom.
- He would not be swayed by false teaching or anything other than God to lead him.
- He would not allow sin to cling to him.
- He would not live a life of sin; he would not be associated with evil.
As noted, David failed some of these commitments. One would be tempted to ignore what he said here because of his own sin, but that response is not legitimate. Another man’s fall never grants us permission to go in the wrong direction ourselves. Instead, we should consider our own responsibility to God, state our commitments as the psalmist did, and choose to follow Christ fully.
ACTION STEPS:
- Put in writing what your commitment to God is.
- Ask God to help you to follow Him more fully and passionately.
PRAYER: “God, I make my commitment to You again. Make me a follower of complete integrity.”
TOMORROW’S READING: Review and catch up