How do you stay faithful to God when you commit sin? David provides us an outline here in Psalm 26:
EVANGELIZE – 26:7:
The word “altar” in verse 6 lets us know that David is thinking about worship. David wants to “go about” God’s altar (in verse 7), so that he may “proclaim” with the voice of “thanksgiving” (“praise)” all God’s “wonders.” From the creation to the exodus, to the blessings God had given to David personally, David wanted to tell others about God’s wonderful works.
We ought to be inspired in worship, to go evangelize. We ought to take what we have learned in worship and share it with someone who needs to hear it. Peter tells us in 1 Peter 2:9 that we are a “royal priesthood” “so that we may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.” A strong motivation for sharing the gospel is thanksgiving for what we enjoy as Christians.
WORSHIP – 26:8:
“Habitation” carries the idea of “refuge,” a place of safety. Here, the “refuge” or place of safety is the tabernacle. At the exodus, God’s “glorious presence” was visible in the pillar of cloud and the pillar of fire. When Moses built the tabernacle according to God’s pattern, God’s “glorious presence” came down and filled that tabernacle.
The “glorious presence” of God is now found in Jesus Christ. Jesus is the “radiance” of God’s glory and the “exact representation” of His nature (Heb. 1:3). That fact compels us to worship God for what He has done for us in Jesus Christ and it compels us to worship Jesus Christ!
AVOID THE TRAP OF EVIL – 26:9:
God “throws His net” to collect those who will be cast away from His presence; David asks that God not gather him up with the sinners. These sinners are those who take advantage of others, those who are looking out for themselves.
“Bad company corrupts good morals” (1 Cor. 15:33). Every teen and pre-teen as well as all of us adults need to have that verse engraved on the walls of our hearts. The people we associate with, notably our spouses, have a tremendous influence over us and we simply cannot allow them to lead us away from God. Otherwise, when Jesus separates the sheep from the goats, we’ll find ourselves with the goats.
LIVE SIMPLY – 26:10:
In their right hands, they are holding “bribes.” We had to deal with people wanting bribes on a regular basis in Romania. But when you pay a bribe, then you complicate life. Bribes easily get larger and larger and larger, more and more expensive. Or, if you pay a bribe to this guy, then you have to pay a bribe to that guy and there is no end to it. If you stay true to Jesus Christ’s principles, you live more simply.
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The serpent deceived Eve, Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 11:3, by his craftiness and Paul prayed that the Christians in Corinth would not be led astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ. Stay dedicated to Jesus Christ and His commandments. That’s a simple life.
LIVE A “REDEEMED” LIFE – 26:11:
David calls on God to redeem him and share His grace with David. To live a “redeemed” life is to live a life recognizing that we have the forgiveness of God. He has graciously forgiven our sins and that makes a huge difference in how we view life and how we handle life.
According to Paul in Titus 2:14, Christ redeemed us from every lawless deed, to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds. So, what does the “redeemed” life look like? In that same context, Paul says we “deny ungodliness and worldly desires and live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age” (2:12).
BLESS THE LORD – 26:12:
How can you stay faithful to God? David concludes his psalm by saying that his feet were standing on level ground. Therefore, he will bless the Lord. Here, the word “bless” carries the idea of praising God or worshipping God. It all comes back around to our relationship with God.
If you want to stay faithful to Jesus Christ, worship Him. Bless Him for the life that you are able to live. “Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing” (Rev. 5:12).
We can stay faithful to Christ if we follow the steps David outlines for us in Psalm 26.
Paul Holland
