But as for me, I will walk in my integrity; redeem me and be merciful to me. My foot stands in an even place; in the congregations I will bless the Lord. (Psalm 26:11-12)
As David concludes this prayer — a prayer inviting God to judge, examine and prove him — he reaffirmed his commitment to walk in the way of righteousness and uprightness. Understand that this was after his sin with Bathsheba and all its’ repercussions. I am inclined to think that, before he fell into this sin, David probably felt confident in his commitment to follow the LORD, and why wouldn’t he? He had proven himself to be faithful to God through many trials and had witnessed God’s favor in his life. It doesn’t seem likely that he had harbored a long time plan to enter into an illicit relationship. I tend to think the temptation to sin snuck up on him, and before you know it, he had engaged in thoughts and deeds that the young shepherd boy would have never considered — at that point, he was walking in the path of sinners.
After the shocking reality of his failure and the heartfelt repentance that followed, David resigned himself to walk in integrity, thus the prayer for God to search his heart and examine him to see if there was any further impurity. He wanted God to prove him and see that what he declared with words was truly in his heart. And so, rather than continuing to walk in the way of sinners, David resolved to walk in the path of integrity and wholeness — the path that Abraham, Isaac and Jacob had chosen to walk in. In fact, the word translated as “integrity” is a word we have discussed many times — תמים tamim. This is the word God used when He said to Abraham, “Walk before Me and be perfect (tamim).”
In the translation used above, it reads that David’s foot stood upon an even place; this phrase is more literally rendered as “My foot is set on the straight (or upright) path.” If his resolve was to walk in the way of his forefathers, this declaration to stay on the straight and narrow path was one of determination, dare I say, borne out of the realization that, for a season, he had let his guard down. But he, like all who have come to repentance, trusted in the mercy of God to redeem him from his transgressions. Rather than being cast out and cut off, David was confident in the LORD’s compassion. He knew that, if he were faithful, he could take his place in the congregation of the LORD to bless Him along with the likes of Abraham and the patriarchs.
The sentiment expressed here by David resonates greatly with me, and I’m sure with many of you as well. All of us have failed God at one time or the other and know the pain and disappointment that goes along with that. But at the same time, we have always found that His mercy endures forever. That being so, let’s be inspired to follow David’s example and resolve within ourselves to set our foot on the straight path and walk in the way that so many before us have traveled. Abraham and the others had to endure the same kind of trials as we do, but they were determined to finish their race with integrity.
Then there is this: if we are to be authentic disciples of Messiah, we must walk in the footsteps of our Master, emulating His example as we bear our own cross. The path of righteousness is not an easy one but if we will remain faithful, it leads us to life, blessing. We have the promise that, one day, we will praise the LORD in the congregation of the righteous — right there with Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and David.
Blessings and Shalom,
Bill
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