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
David commits himself (“I will—”) before the Lord to a full range of obedient practices. These cover:
- His attitude to praising God (v 1)
- Living blamelessly (v 2)
- What he looks at (v 3)
- Dealing with proud and slanderous people (v 5)
- From whom he will receive ministry (v 6)
- Living honestly in his home and place of work (v 7 NIV and CEV)
This is a strong commitment to moral and ethical living! Which of these areas speak to you and your family or work situation? There should be no separation between worshipful praise and daily obedient living. This would be a great protocol for all levels of government and church leaders but it is followers of Jesus above all who need to let their light shine for him in holy discipleship. Paul teaches “Don’t be like the people of this world, but let God change the way you think“ (Romans 12:2).
We read of wider and wider corruption in public life. Sadly, even Christians compromise, especially in financial and sexual matters. Let us each be willing to make a strong commitment to follow Jesus’ narrow way of obedience and holiness.
Respond
Pray through any areas of your life in which the Spirit is calling you to wider obedience to Jesus.
George Anderson
George is a retired Presbyterian minister who resides in Binbrook Ontario, Canada with his wife, Audrey. George & Audrey emigrated from South Africa to Ile Perrot, Quebec, in 1989 with their four daughters all of whom are now married and living in Ontario with their nine grand-children. After teaching high school Math and working in SU in South Africa, George pastored two churches there and four churches in Canada, the last being in the beautiful Muskoka town of Huntsville. The main focus of George’s ministry has been building up congregations through the renewing grace and power of the Spirit of Jesus as expressed in Acts 2 v 42 – teaching, fellowship, eating together and prayer. George enjoys bird-watching and hiking with Audrey and the occasional tennis and golf.