"Living Wholeness"

[A Psalm of David] "Judge me, O LORD; for I have walked in mine integrity: I have trusted also in the LORD; therefore I shall not slide." (Psalms 26:1) I have put a lot of thought into the title for today, as it is not just a matter of being made whole, but it is also a matter of living wholeness after we have been made that way. We are not made perfect, at least not as of yet; but the real point of being made whole, is that we have been cured of a great and terrible disease; one that was going to have us spending eternity in hell, forever separated from God and His love. The first thing that David is asking, is for God to judge him; not that God would cast judgement upon him, but that God judge his situation, and vindicate him from the false charges that have been brought against him. It is believed that David wrote this Psalm while running from Saul, who had not only set out to take David's life, but had also spread false charges of treason and other high crimes against him, as to justify his rage against an otherwise innocent man. Adding to his request for God to judge his situation, David makes mention of the integrity that he was walked in; not just for justification from those that have falsely accused him, but because a large measure of his integrity is based upon God's great mercy upon his life. Having been around the block more than once, I can attest to the need that we have for God's great mercy and forgiveness; it's not that we are unable to withstand temptation, because I believe that we can, if we yield ourselves completely over to the Holy Spirit; but it's the situations and encounters that we have in this life, the life of the flesh, that are our nemesis. It's a lot like driving, something I do a lot of; you can practice safety and good driving all you want to, but it's the other guy on the road that you need to watch out for, because they can come out of nowhere. Unless you are living as a Monk in a Monastery, and every one around you has a vow of silence, you are going to be offended by someone, and you are going to end up thinking bad thoughts towards another person; maybe not intentionally, but out of self defense, you are going to react in a way that requires asking for forgiveness from God. It was not David's intention to harm Saul, as he had proven several times; but rather, that God would make everything happening against him become a reflection of the integrity of his heart; because he was not a criminal, and he had not done anything that would justify the rage Saul had against him. We really cannot control what other people do; all that we can hope to do, is to react in a way that provides for the least amount of damage..."The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe." (Proverbs 29:25)