THE STORY OF JESUS: Psalm 41
“Because of my integrity you uphold me…” (Psalm 41:12)
David was a good man in many ways, but he was not sinless.
His horrible crimes of adultery, murder, abuse of office, deception are well known.
Yet here he claims that God is pleased with him, that he is a man of integrity!?
Even more, God honours him as a man after His own heart, pattern for the Messiah.
This is nothing less than the amazing grace and mercy of God.
David is not sinless, and even David will not deny this (v.4).
But this is the integrity that pleases God, a humble, trusting heart.
Jesus is like David, He cares about weak people (v.1) and is betrayed (v.9).
But Jesus is greater than David, He is without sin, a real man of integrity!
Because of Jesus’ integrity, God upholds Him and raises Him to the throne.
And because of Jesus’ integrity, God upholds us, and restores us… AMAZING GRACE!
“While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)
We can’t say we’re guiltless, but we can trust God to uphold us (v.2).
Am I trusting and praising God and Jesus, like David, for this saving grace?
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
Lord, I entrust my life and well-being and protection to You. I will praise You for ever and ever. Amen and Amen.
Jesus follower
trying to find His way
What does God require of me?
‘To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.’ Being a servant – washing feet or as the Psalmist says, ‘having regard for the weak.’ Living God’s Way.
But I fall short.
David was suffering as described in this Psalm and his enemies speak falsehoods. His friends left him.
Even today, we have many friends when times are good, but where are they when in need? In sickness? In financial problems? In family problems?
At all times and in all circumstances I must be a person of integrity as David was. My lifeline is God and His presence in which I live each day. AND His mercy and faithfulness lasts forever and ever. Therefore I am alive because He upholds me. Grace. His grace.
And his faithfulness is forevermore.
Great is thy faithfulness, O God my Father;
there is no shadow of turning with thee;
thou changest not, thy compassions, they fail not;
as thou hast been thou forever will be.
Refrain:
Great is thy faithfulness! Great is thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see;
all I have needed thy hand hath provided;
great is thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!
Summer and winter and springtime and harvest,
sun, moon and stars in their courses above
join with all nature in manifold witness
to thy great faithfulness, mercy and love. Refrain
Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth
thy own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside! Refrain