Psalm 26
Preaching
A Journey Through the Psalms: Reflections for Worried Hearts and Troubled Times
Preaching the Psalms Cycles A, B, C
Object:
Integrity is a precious thing indeed. Upon its firm foundation is built a life that counts for something. If we lose our integrity, we lose a great deal indeed. A person of integrity is trusted. A person of integrity can be counted upon. A person of integrity follows through on commitments.
A good self-examination every once in a while is the one that looks at personal integrity. It can be done quite simply with a few earnestly asked and honestly answered questions:
1. Do you tell the truth in as far as you are able?
2. Do you do the things you say you'll do?
3. Do you speak up or take a stand in the face of injustice?
4. Do you act in ways that would find approval in God's eyes?
5. Are you gentle, caring, and compassionate?
There are, of course, a host of other questions that could be asked. But these five give a good beginning.
The trick in all this is to be able to maintain integrity when things go south. As the psalmist appeals to God, reminding (him) of integrity kept, we ourselves are reminded that good behavior is not always rewarded with a pat on the head.
Indeed, our faithfulness may well cost us dearly. Taking a stand for someone or something could cost us a job or a friend. Being clear about love can raise up resistance from all kinds of locations. The graves of the martyrs the world over can attest to this.
Yet, this integrity is a thing worth keeping. In fact, when the smoke clears and all is said and done, integrity may be all we really have. Maintaining integrity, of course, is not merely a personal, private matter. We must maintain integrity in our communities. Primarily, we must maintain integrity in our churches. In what ways does the church have integrity? In what ways does it not? Do we worship a God of forgiveness on Sunday and fail to practice that forgiveness in our community life? Does our church confess its sins on Sunday and then reap the profits from monies invested in businesses that harm and hurt people? What does the integrity of a church look like? Can the church "wash its hands in innocence"?
Like each one of us as individuals, a church with integrity is not promised wealth and prosperity. A church with integrity may well encounter the cross. Yet it is this integrity, if we can maintain it with authenticity, that will save the church. It is faithfulness -- nothing more; nothing less -- that God desires.
A good self-examination every once in a while is the one that looks at personal integrity. It can be done quite simply with a few earnestly asked and honestly answered questions:
1. Do you tell the truth in as far as you are able?
2. Do you do the things you say you'll do?
3. Do you speak up or take a stand in the face of injustice?
4. Do you act in ways that would find approval in God's eyes?
5. Are you gentle, caring, and compassionate?
There are, of course, a host of other questions that could be asked. But these five give a good beginning.
The trick in all this is to be able to maintain integrity when things go south. As the psalmist appeals to God, reminding (him) of integrity kept, we ourselves are reminded that good behavior is not always rewarded with a pat on the head.
Indeed, our faithfulness may well cost us dearly. Taking a stand for someone or something could cost us a job or a friend. Being clear about love can raise up resistance from all kinds of locations. The graves of the martyrs the world over can attest to this.
Yet, this integrity is a thing worth keeping. In fact, when the smoke clears and all is said and done, integrity may be all we really have. Maintaining integrity, of course, is not merely a personal, private matter. We must maintain integrity in our communities. Primarily, we must maintain integrity in our churches. In what ways does the church have integrity? In what ways does it not? Do we worship a God of forgiveness on Sunday and fail to practice that forgiveness in our community life? Does our church confess its sins on Sunday and then reap the profits from monies invested in businesses that harm and hurt people? What does the integrity of a church look like? Can the church "wash its hands in innocence"?
Like each one of us as individuals, a church with integrity is not promised wealth and prosperity. A church with integrity may well encounter the cross. Yet it is this integrity, if we can maintain it with authenticity, that will save the church. It is faithfulness -- nothing more; nothing less -- that God desires.
