Psalm 119:1 Integrity

Posted on December 2, 2019 by Graeme Wilson in Freedom Fighters

Good morning, brothers. I trust you enjoyed Thanksgiving with your families. We are thankful for a new week of Freedom Fighter Blogs and are grateful that you dial in with us each day.

I have been reading through Psalms and Proverbs again this year, and the other day I was reading Psalm 119. I love that Psalm, and instead of just reading it all the way through at one sitting, I decided I am going to read it a section at a time and meditate on the truth of each section and allow God to speak to my heart in a new and fresh way.

As you know, each section is a different letter of the Hebrew alphabet. From what I have learned, this was one of the ways that helped people memorize the Scriptures.

I have been reading through the Psalms devotionally from the New Living Translation. If that doesn’t float your boat because you are a King Jimmy, ESVer or whatever translation, don’t get hung up and shut me down. Deal?

Here is the passage:

Aleph

1 Joyful are people of integrity, who follow the instructions of the LORD. 2 Joyful are those who obey his laws and search for him with all their hearts. 3 They do not compromise with evil, and they walk only in his paths. 4 You have charged us to keep your commandments carefully. 5 Oh, that my actions would consistently reflect your decrees! 6 Then I will not be ashamed when I compare my life with your commands. 7 As I learn your righteous regulations, I will thank you by living as I should! 8 I will obey your decrees. Please don’t give up on me!

Some observations from my journal:

Verse 1: Integrity matters! It is something that is so lacking in our world today. Just watch the news for 15 minutes, and we are seeing leader after leader dealing with integrity issues.

And as you well know, this is not just a problem in the world. Unfortunately, this is a problem in our Christian circles.

Recently I had lunch with one of my young Millennial leaders, and he asked me the question of why so many ministry leaders are falling?

Well, it really is simple. The second part of verse 1 says that people of integrity are people who “follow the instruction of the Lord.”

It is one thing to KNOW the Word intellectually. There are great preachers and leaders who can tear apart the text, quote it in Hebrew and Greek, do all the hermeneutical studies, but somehow miss the point by not applying the truth to their own hearts and lives.

I love to preach/teach, but it is hard for me to preach from a text that I am not living out in my own life.

Integrity matters. It is a big deal for a Christ-follower. I am thankful for the men and women in my life who have modeled for me what living with integrity looks like.

Integrity and character go hand in hand. Integrity is not necessarily easy, but it is necessary in our lives if we are going to be the men that God wants us to be.

King David connected integrity to being joyful. That sentence alone may have hit a nerve with you. If there is something in your life that is out of sync – my guess is you aren’t at a place of being filled with joy.

Take a few moments to reflect on this word, integrity. Is there something in your life right now that you need to address? Don’t delay. Take care of it today.

Relentlessly pursuing Christ,

Written by Bill Welte, President/CEO of America’s Keswick: Bill has been married to his childhood sweetheart for 40+ years and has four married kids and 11 amazing grandkids. He loves music and is an avid reader.


Think About This: Integrity is not a given factor in everyone’s life. It is a result of self-discipline, inner trust, and a decision to be relentlessly honest in all situations in our lives.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the doctrinal and theological views held by America’s Keswick.

Want to get away & have dedicated time to read & learn God’s Word?

Consider a retreat at America’s Keswick retreat center.

LEARN MORE

Recent Posts

Archives

Categories