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Psalm 26:1-12 (ESV)
Of David. Vindicate me, O LORD, for I have walked in my integrity,and I have trusted in the LORD without wavering. 2 Prove me, O LORD, and try me; test my heart and my mind. 3 For your steadfast love is before my eyes, and I walk in your faithfulness. 4 I do not sit with men of falsehood, nor do I consort with hypocrites. 5 I hate the assembly of evildoers, and I will not sit with the wicked. 6 I wash my hands in innocence and go around your altar, O LORD, 7 proclaiming thanksgiving aloud, and telling all your wondrous deeds. 8 O LORD, I love the habitation of your house and the place where your glory dwells. 9 Do not sweep my soul away with sinners, nor my life with bloodthirsty men, 10 in whose hands are evil devices, and whose right hands are full of bribes. 11 But as for me, I shall walk in my integrity; redeem me, and be gracious to me. 12 My foot stands on level ground; in the great assembly I will bless the LORD.
Point 1: Our Vindication…calls us to trust God completely. (vv. 1-2)
Psalm 26:1-2 (ESV)
“Vindicate me, O LORD, for I have walked in my integrity, and I have trusted in the LORD without wavering. 2 Prove me, O LORD, and try me; test my heart and my mind.”
Psalm 26:1b (ESV)
for I have walked in my integrity, and I have trusted in the LORD without wavering.
Psalm 26:2 (ESV)
Prove me, O LORD, and try me; test my heart and my mind.
Psalm 26:2 (NLT)
Put me on trial, LORD, and cross-examine me. Test my motives and my heart.
When someone’s being vulnerable, they’re making themselves susceptible to the judgment of others. Vulnerability means they don’t just let you know what’s going on in their lives - they let you actually see how everything is affecting them. This involves them letting their guard down and relinquishing control. In other words, they’re presenting an unprocessed, unpolished version of themselves. - Tom Talks Blog, “How We’re Often Transparent But Rarely Vulnerable”
Point 2: Our Vindication…is based on God’s love and faithfulness to us (vv. 3-5).
Psalm 26:3 (ESV)
For your steadfast love is before my eyes, and I walk in your faithfulness.
Sometimes hesed is translated “steadfast love.” It combines commitment with sacrifice. Hesed is one-way love. Love without an exit strategy. When you love with hesed love, you bind yourself to the object of your love, no matter what the response is. So if the object of your love snaps at you, you still love that person. Your response to the other person is entirely independent of how that person has treated you. Hesed is a stubborn love. - Paul E. Miller. “A Loving Life.”
Psalm 26:4-5 (ESV)
I do not sit with men of falsehood, nor do I consort with hypocrites. 5 I hate the assembly of evildoers, and I will not sit with the wicked.
Point 3: Our Vindication…seeks God’s glory above our own. (vv. 6-12)
Psalm 26:6-8 (ESV)
I wash my hands in innocence and go around your altar, O LORD, 7 proclaiming thanksgiving aloud, and telling all your wondrous deeds. 8 O LORD, I love the habitation of your house and the place where your glory dwells.
Psalm 26:8 (ESV)
O LORD, I love the habitation of your house and the place where your glory dwells.
Psalm 26:9-10 (ESV)
Do not sweep my soul away with sinners, nor my life with bloodthirsty men, 10 in whose hands are evil devices, and whose right hands are full of bribes.
Psalm 26:7 (ESV)
Singing God-songs at the top of my lungs, and telling God-stories.
When you draw on God’s grace to put off your self-centered attitudes and act on His principles, you put His glory on display. Your life points to His vast wisdom, compassion, and transforming power, and as you look for God’s glory, the impact reaches far beyond yourself because you give everyone around you reason to respect and praise God. Glorifying God is not about letting others see how great you are. It’s about letting them see how great the Lord is. - Ken Sande, Resolving Everyday Conflict.