After reading Psalm 26, I have a few questions I asked myself…..
1. Have I led a blameless life?
2. Have I trusted in the Lord without wavering?
3. Do I associate with hypocrites?
4. Do I always refuse to sit with the wicked?
Here are my answers in that order. No. No. Yes. No. Just another reminder that I am so far from perfect, not that I had forgotten.
These aren’t written as questions in this Psalm but that is the way I read it back to myself. I already know my answers before I can finish the question.
Blameless Life – If it isn’t my fault then whose is it? Where do I point the finger? In reality, I do often find myself pointing that finger in the mirror. I find myself saying, “I could have handled that better”, or “I didn’t need it to escalate it that high”.
Trust the Lord without Wavering – I do trust the Lord. This one I definitely tend to be more self-conscious of. I know there are times that I certainly waver, but I am quick to take a step back, talk to God for a moment, and understand when I must give up the controls to Him. That makes it a lot easier than ever thinking I have all the answers when we know that isn’t true!
Associating with Hypocrites – GUILTY! I probably do it every day. Shoot, I can be that hypocrite. It makes me feel even worse when I type it out load. This one is difficult. My good Christian credibility takes a hit here.
Refusing to Sitting with the Wicked – This one is interesting and the way I view it isn’t the right way. I never sit with the wicked(figuratively or literally) because I also want to become wicked. Instead, I am probably trying to gain something from them. Maybe it is to learn what not to do or how not to be. Maybe selfishly it is to use it against them someday. I know, I know, that isn’t the right answer…..
The point of all this remains the same. None of us are perfect. Yes, we already know this. The point is to think about it more, think about these questions. Try and get through a day while asking yourself these. How did you do? Isn’t it impossible to go 24 hours with a passing grade. If you can, good on you. I am not sure I could, but it certainly makes me want to try a little harder each day. Just like no sin is greater than another in God’s eyes, neither are these questions. When in doubt take a moment, acknowledge whatever the situation and put your faith and trust in Jesus. I promise you will feel better!