Wednesday’s Word
by Dorette Saunders
Living the Christian life is by no means an easy task, especially if you think of what God is asking of us. God tells us that we need to be holy, even as he is holy (1 Peter 1:15, 16). Furthermore, the Scriptures tell us that without holiness and a peaceable nature, no one will see God (Hebrews 12:14).
Isn’t that what we all want? At the end of this life, to see God?
No wonder the psalmist, David, in his prayer, asks God:
How can I know all the sins lurking in my heart?
Cleanse me from these hidden faults.
Keep your servant from deliberate sins!
Don’t let them control me.
Then I will be free of guilt
and innocent of great sin.
(Psalm 19:12-14, NLT)
Yet, living the Christian life is not impossible because we do not live it without the aid and guidance of the Holy Spirit. He comes alongside us and expounds the truth of God’s Word. He injects wisdom in our thinking, and plants discernment in our hearts. We are equipped for everything that God is asking us to accomplish.
“By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence” (2 Peter 1:3, NLT).
God desires that we walk in integrity. It is a mark that distinguishes us from others.
“Integrity” seems like an old-fashioned word that has been banned from our vocabulary and our way of life. Yet, quite often when many high profile individuals fall from grace, it is usually because they have neglected to walk in integrity.
What is integrity? Simply put, it is doing the right thing when no one is looking. Doing the right thing without seeking reward or recognition. Doing the right thing, at the right time, for the right reason. It is standing up for the truth of God’s Word even if you are the only voice you hear.
…the Lord has told you what is good,
and this is what he requires of you:
to do what is right, to love mercy,
and to walk humbly with your God.
(Micah 6:8, NLT)
Walking in integrity is a spirit-led discipline which we all need to acquire. It requires humility, patience, and passion. It requires obedience to the hard things…like loving our neighbors (even though they are different from us, and may not like us). It requires trusting God and waiting for God’s answers while we climb steep hills or walk through lonesome valleys.
The rewards for being a person of integrity are awesome. We become attuned to hearing God’s voice, and we can say to God, like the psalmist, when evil people seem to triumph over us:
… But I am not like that; I live with integrity.
So redeem me and show me mercy.
(Psalm 26:11, NLT)
PRAYER: Lord Jesus, show me mercy. Reveal my hidden faults, and I will repent of them. Keep me on the path of righteousness that I may walk in love and integrity. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
©M©dytations 2024
RSS Feed