Day 154: Psalm 26- Responding to slander

Vindicate me, O Lord, for I have walked in my integrity, and I have trusted in the Lord without wavering. 2 Prove me, O Lord, and try me; test my heart and my mind. 3 For your steadfast love is before my eyes, and I walk in your faithfulness. 4 I do not sit with men of falsehood, nor do I consort with hypocrites.


5 I hate the assembly of evildoers, and I will not sit with the wicked. 6 I wash my hands in innocence and go around your altar, O Lord, 7 proclaiming thanksgiving aloud, and telling all your wondrous deeds.
 
8 O Lord, I love the habitation of your house and the place where your glory dwells. 9 Do not sweep my soul away with sinners, nor my life with bloodthirsty men, 10 in whose hands are evil devices, and whose right hands are full of bribes. 11 But as for me, I shall walk in my integrity; redeem me, and be gracious to me. 12 My foot stands on level ground; in the great assembly I will bless the Lord.
 
Meditation
How do you respond when someone slanders you, speaking negatively about you behind your back? This week I am walking with someone who is being slandered, above reproach in the defamation being spread. I encouraged him to make Psalm 26 his prayer.
 
When lies are being spread behind our backs we must continue to walk forward with integrity, trusting our sovereign Father in heaven. Time will do the talking and the Lord will defend. Acknowledging the feelings of pain and betrayal we must cry out to the Lord to vindicate us, asking Him to prove us. With humble hearts we seek to examine where there may be truth in the slander, repenting where necessary, and trusting the steadfast love of the Lord by walking forward in faithfulness to Him.
 
We must resist the temptation to surround ourselves with hypocrites who will support a slandering response, participating in plotting vengeance. The one who walks in integrity will seek and celebrate the pure presence of the Lord and the company of His people. The house of God is the hope of the person who seeks to walk uprightly when they are being torn down publicly.
 
The sovereign and shepherding care of the Lord offers level ground to walk forward. He promises His people, ““No weapon that is formed against you will prosper; and every tongue that accuses you in judgment you will condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their vindication is from Me.” (Isaiah 54:17)
 
Richly Dwelling
-Is slander acceptable in your circles? Do you participate? Do you need to repent?
 
-How do you respond when you are slandered? Do you trust God to vindicate?
 
-How can you seek to let your life talk as you walk with integrity, seeking hope in the house and presence of the Lord and His people?
 
Key Verse
11 But as for me, I shall walk in my integrity; redeem me, and be gracious to me.