2019 Feb 26 Psalm 26, 106, 1Timothy 6
2019 Feb 26 Psalm 26, 106, 1Timothy 6
Hello, and welcome to all! Please excuse any delay yesterday, I have a new arrangement for blogging, and also had some unexpected delays. Let’s pick up in Psalm 26, verses 9-12:
“9 Do not sweep me away with sinners Nor take my life away with violent men,10 Whose hands engage in shameful conduct, And whose right hand is full of bribes.11 But as for me, I will walk in my integrity. Rescue me and show me favor.12 My foot is standing on level ground; In the great congregation, I will praise Jehovah.”
Psalm 26:9,10 The psalmist David desires not to be among the sinners and violent men, those choosing badness and evil. He then says they engage in “shameful conduct”, hands denoting the actions of a person. Thus their conduct is crude, dishonoring God, and bringing shame and disgrace. Also they are “full” of bribery, trying to skirt the law of God to get what they want by tossing money every which way. They do this with their “right hand,” which is governed by the part of the brain used for logic and analytical thought, perhaps revealing their erroneous false reasoning.
Psalm 26:11 In contrast to sin and bribery, David wishes to walk with “integrity,” meaning wholeness or completeness without corruption. Can you think of something that would be useless with a missing part or two? Like a TV remote without any buttons, or a TV with no way to turn it on? How about a table and chairs with no legs? These things would be lacking integrity, and we wouldn’t knowingly buy them this way. We would consider tossing them out, or returning them for our money. Likewise, God designed humans to be physically and spiritually complete, having all we need to live in the right way and enjoy life as He meant for us to, bringing full happiness. May we appreciate God’s instruction and guidance to living a complete, upright life, able to live peaceably among others, with love for eternity!
Psalm 26:12 By walking with integrity, our feet may stand on “level ground.” We can be stable and well-grounded spiritually. As we seek the honor of God, we are well-motivated, and protected from much spiritual corruption (John 7:18).
Psalm 106:37-40 Describes the results of Israel’s failing to obey Jehovah completely regarding the peoples inhabiting the Land of Promise. What were some of their evil practices that would prove to ensnare the Israelites, causing them to go along with such badness? Notice the description of Israel’s corrupted behavior: “37 They would sacrifice their sons And their daughters to demons. 38 They kept spilling innocent blood, The blood of their own sons and daughters Whom they sacrificed to the idols of Caʹnaan; And the land was polluted with bloodshed. 39 They became unclean by their works; They committed spiritual prostitution by their deeds. 40 So the anger of Jehovah blazed against his people, And he grew to detest his inheritance.”
They became ensnared by “the idols of Canaan,” which idolatry and false worship contributes to spiritual blindness. Their disgraceful works caused them to be unclean in Jehovah’s sight, bringing Him great sadness. May we be determined to ‘make Jehovah’s heart rejoice’ by our wise choices in harmony with God’s word and will. (Prove 27:11).
1Timothy 6:1,2 reveal the proper view of a relationship between employees and employers, how all should be seeking God’s honor in their work, and find delight if both happen to be believers. These verses read: “1 Let those who are under the yoke of slavery keep on considering their owners worthy of full honor, so that the name of God and the teaching may never be spoken of injuriously. 2 Moreover, let those having believing owners not be disrespectful to them because they are brothers. Rather, they should serve more readily, because those receiving the benefit of their good service are believers and beloved. Keep on teaching these things and giving these exhortations.” Thus, while there may occasionally be differences of opinion by some on the way things are done or the treatment of employees, may true Christians engender respect for employers with appreciation for, not only the wages received for an honest day’s work, but whatever ways they are treated with dignity and assisted in their work environment. Thus, peace may be maintained and the work atmosphere may remain dignified and, to whatever extent, enjoyable.
Find Life and See
Between Winchester, Virginia, and hopefully, Washington D.C., having confidence that our thankful trust in God will not fail to inspire us to the peace He has purposed via His Kingdom!
