A Vow of Integrity
2 11 2009I never really liked King David. To me, he was the biggest sissy-la la in the Bible. I could imagine David lying around the royal palace playing his harp and doing things that sissy-la las would do. This was before I read any of his military records and realized that David was pretty much undefeated and could battle anyone.
In Psalm 101, the subtitle my Bible gives this psalm is “A Vow of Integrity” (Now would be a good time to find your Bible, borrow one, click over to biblegateway.com, or sock your friend in the face and steal their Bible and read it). In verse 6 David describes the type of person he wants around him as king. Since this psalm was written early in his reign (2 Samuel 5-7), most of his boys around him would be the ones following David in to battle. David wanted men who “follows the way of integrity” (Psalm 101:6b Holman Christian Standard Bible).
One definition of Integrity is “the quality of state of being complete or undivided” (Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary). Throughout this psalm, David uses the phrase “I will…” over 7 times. He is determined in his young reign to live a life of integrity to God and asks the same of his men (v.6).
How does this apply to us in the 21st century? How do we live lives of integrity? Would we be the type of person that King David would want to go to war with? Are we the types of believers that can and would fight for each other spiritually (praying for each other ect…)? I believe we can and we are! Here are a few suggestions to become that person:
1. Love Unconditionally (1 John 4:11-12)
2. Pray Continually (2 Thessalonians 1:11-12)
3. Read the Bible like it was a Crime (Psalm 119—yeah, all of it)
4. Get together a lot (Hebrews 10:25)
5. Don’t allow anything to get between you and the Father (Psalm 101:3 NIV)
This is not a simple 1-2-3 program for developing integrity. That takes time walking in the real world walking with God—and He isn’t going anywhere soon (Matthew 28:20).
CU around!
Garrett Barley aka g-
Psalm 19:14
“The Lord doesn’t ask about your ability, only your availability; and, if you prove your dependability, the Lord will increase your capability. “ (Sorry, I don’t know who said that.) I thought this quote was pretty true, and it sort of ties into the idea of integrity. Everyone’s ability is relative, and some people have more abilities and skills than others, but that’s not the point. The point is the work you do and whether or not you turn your back on what you’re supposed to be doing. People with integrity are honest and dependable, and even if they aren’t very capable, they will do what they can.
Jake-
Your comment reminds me of the scripture “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” 1 Corinthians 10:31
Good verse. Max had us all memorize that verse the first time I went to Ponderosa.