Devotional 9-28-18

Please read Psalm 26

In preparation for this devotion, I found several listed scriptures for this Sunday’s liturgy, and randomly selected the above. Silly me! As I’ve gotten into it, I find I’ve picked a somewhat difficult scripture. Let me explain.

At first read, the speaker is bragging about how good he is. In fact, he sounds like he’s perfect: “…I have led a blameless life….” “…I walk continually in your truth….”; “I wash my hands in innocence….”; “…I love the house where you live….”

And he gives assurances to God: “I do not sit with deceitful men, nor do I consort with hypocrites; I abhor the assembly of evildoers and refuse to sit with the wicked.” What’s this? I learned we should be humbled in the presence of the Lord.

I read on only to discover that the psalmist says it again! “…I lead a blameless life!” Then he’s defending himself, not knowing where he stands when it comes to eternal life.  His declaration moves full circle from an attitude of certainty to one of uncertainty! So what’s the explanation here?

Well —something I have learned about Bible Study over the past few years is something that, in a rush for time, I forget. And it’s this: If your Bible has a study guide or editors’ notes, read them—preferably first! I did not read the notes for this scripture. But here they are for you:

“This claim to be blameless or righteous…should not be stretched too far. Whenever the psalmists examined themselves before God, they acknowledged their deep need for forgiveness. Here though the issue is God’s fairness. Knowing little about life after death, the psalmists expected that good people would do better in this life than bad people…. In calling for justice, they emphasized that they had been more faithful to God than their enemies. Compared to the people plotting murder and betrayal against him, the psalmist was blameless. In a wholehearted, sincere way he had followed God. He doesn’t mean he never makes a mistake. He means only that he doesn’t deserve punishment.” (The Student Bible, New International Version, Psalm 26:11, page 506)

And now, we understand.

Heavenly Father, when we are challenged by something—be it great or small, let us not dismiss it in frustration. Rather, help us to be patient, to find help, and to never give up until that challenge is resolved. Amen

Diane Feaganes