Integrity
Opening Prayer
Lord, there is nothing in this life that compares to You. Let me have clear vision and live for You alone.
Read Psalm 101:1-8
[1]Of David. A psalm. I will sing of your love and justice; to you, LORD, I will sing praise. [2] I will be careful to lead a blameless life- when will you come to me? I will conduct the affairs of my house with a blameless heart. [3] I will not look with approval on anything that is vile. I hate what faithless people do; I will have no part in it. [4] The perverse of heart shall be far from me; I will have nothing to do with what is evil. [5] Whoever slanders their neighbor in secret, I will put to silence; whoever has haughty eyes and a proud heart, I will not tolerate. [6] My eyes will be on the faithful in the land, that they may dwell with me; the one whose walk is blameless will minister to me. [7] No one who practices deceit will dwell in my house; no one who speaks falsely will stand in my presence. [8] Every morning I will put to silence all the wicked in the land; I will cut off every evildoer from the city of the LORD. Scripture taken from the THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, NIV Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
What fills your thoughts and your sight?Here the psalmist expresses his desire to follow in God’s ways, to become increasingly like him, delighting in his ways and commands. In verses 2 and 3 we see two sets of influences: the heart and the eyes. In biblical language, the heart represents the influences of the inner person–one’s motivations, emotions, thoughts and feelings. The eyes, however, represent external influences, things we see or hear or experience. The psalmist knows that these two sets of influences have power to affect the way he lives and how pleasing his life is to God. His determination to live in purity, both in his own person and in what he allows to come into his life, is evident throughout the psalm (4-8). We are in the world, and we cannot avoid contact with it. On the contrary, we should actively seek to be “salt” and “light,” influencing society for good (Matt. 5:13-16). How can we do this, maintaining our personal integrity, without being contaminated by the values around us?
Apply
Consider an attitude and an external influence that draw you away from the Lord. Begin to purge them from your life.
Closing prayer
Lord, may the things I focus on within and without be pleasing to You. You have my permission to bring light.
Click here to sign up to receive the EXTRAs via email each quarter.
© 2024 Scripture Union U.S.A. All rights reserved. Reproduction of the whole or any part of the contents without written permission is prohibited.
Discovery is published in the USA under license from Scripture Union England and Wales, Trinity House, Opal Court, Opal Drive, Fox Milne, Milton Keynes, MK15 0DF.