I Have Walked in My Integrity

Text: Psalms 26

 

I.         David wants to be judged by God - Psalms 26:1-3

            A.        Most of us want to avoid the judgment of others

            B.        There is a risk of being condemned

            C.        But here David asks God to judge him and it isn’t a risk in his view - Psalms 7:8

                        1.         David has walked in his integrity (or blamelessness)

                                    a.         By this, David is not declaring his sinlessness.

                                    b.         The Hebrew word tom refers to a person’s integrity and sincerity

                                                (1)       Example: Abimelech declared his innocence - Genesis 20:5

                                                (2)       Example: Men who were pulled into Absalom’s plot - II Samuel 15:11

                                                (3)       Thus, innocent of willful wrongdoing. When a solider shot Ahab at random (tom), he wasn’t purposely setting out to kill the king of Israel.

                        2.         How? David had unwavering trust in the Lord

                                    a.         Much like Paul - II Corinthians 1:12

            D.        He walks righteously and is honest with himself - Psalms 15:2

                        1.         Not perfect, but good, and thus he asks God to examine his motives

                        2.         David keeps God’s covenant where he won’t forget it

II.        David avoids the company of evil men - Psalms 26:4-5

            A.        Blessings come to the man who is not a companion of the wicked - Psalms 1:1-6

            B.        The companion of fools suffer harm - Proverbs 13:20

            C.        Evil companions corrupt - I Corinthians 15:33

            D.        It is why we keep separate from those living in sin - I Corinthians 5:9-11

III.       David worships in innocence - Psalms 26:6-8

            A.        Priests were required to wash before serving - Exodus 30:19-20

            B.        It symbolizes removing of sin - Isaiah 1:16-18

            C.        We lift up holy hands in worship - I Timothy 2:8

            D.        What better place to be than to sing praises to our God - Psalms 84:1-2

IV.      A plea not to be lumped in with sinners - Psalms 26:9-10

            A.        There should always be a distinction between the righteous and the evil - Malachi 3:18

            B.        God punishes the wicked, but the plea is that those who live righteously not be included in that destruction - Psalms 28:3-5

V.        But I will walk in my integrity - Psalms 26:11-12

            A.        David knew he needed redemption. He wasn’t perfect. He needed God’s grace.

            B.        That is why Jesus came - Titus 2:11-14

            C.        And because of this David stood firm - Proverbs 10:9

            D.        For this God is to be praised - Psalms 111:1