Read
(A psalm by David.)
A King and His Promises
1I will sing to you, Lord!
I will celebrate your kindness
and your justice.
2Please help me learn
to do the right thing,
and I will be honest and fair
in my own kingdom.
3I refuse to be corrupt
or to take part
in anything crooked,
4and I won't be dishonest
or deceitful.
5Anyone who spreads gossip
will be silenced;
no one who is conceited
will be my friend.
6I will find trustworthy people
to serve as my advisors;
only an honest person
will serve as an official.
7No one who cheats or lies
will have a position
in my royal court.
8Each morning I will silence
any lawbreakers I find
in the countryside
or in the city of the Lord.
Reflect
I’m grateful to be able to turn to the pages of Scripture and let my heart be taught how to be ethical in a world that has lost its moral compass.
Every day we are formed to some degree by what enters our heart. Even if we are spectators rather than participants, the things we see and hear do affect us and can gradually change the way we make our own choices.
In Psalm 101 King David sets a rule of conduct for himself for the benefit of his household and the people he governed. He saw the corruption of other kings and knew that his leadership had to be different. Only the Lord could help him learn the good way. He turned to him in prayer: “Please help me to do the right thing, and I will be honest and fair in my own kingdom.” He then promised to keep himself from corruption and to deal with the moral lawbreakers.
He made an oath to be blameless at home and in his public duties. He promised to surround himself only with honourable people: “No one who cheats or lies will have a position in my royal court.” Paul picks up this important thought in 1 Corinthians 15:33, and reminds us that bad company corrupts.
What influences us inevitably comes out at home and in our public life. Our hearts, with its values and ethics, runs both dimensions of our lives. Psalm 101 puts all this in perspective. It offers us a way to pray so that we may choose the good way.
If you are able, take a moment today to quietly review the content of this Psalm and trust the Lord to guide your choices and responses. This is a prayer we all need to keep close our hearts.
Respond
Dear Lord, your ways are just and pure. Help me today to live my life ethically, to the glory of your name, and to choose the way that honours you in all my relationships. In the name of Jesus, faithful and true.
Jacqueline Dugas
Jacqueline Dugas is Vice President and Director of Ministries at Every Home for Christ International/Canada (EHC), where she has served on the executive leadership team for more than two decades. Her ministry work involves speaking and writing for a trans-denominational and international audience on the broad topic of knowing God and making Jesus known everywhere. Jacqueline has authored 7 Days with Jesus, written as a follow up resource for Finding the Hope, EHC’s evangelism outreach in Canada and abroad. She has co-authored the widely used evangelism booklet, Finding the Hope, and the Finding the Hope Personal Kit, both published in multiple languages. She is co-producer of EHC’s monthly publication, Harvest Partner.