#DailyDevotion Who Do You Go To For Justice?
Psalm 26 Give me justice, O LORD — I’ve lived innocently and trusted the LORD without wavering.
Commentaries are a little divided here on who it is that David has a complaint about. Most seem to think it is Saul. There are some who think it may be his son Absalom. In either case, David is turning to the LORD for justice. This is a good and righteous way. David does not go and seek vengeance or just for himself. David’s appeal is based somewhat on his own innocence and trusting in the LORD. It would seem, at least, in these cases, this is true. We also may find ourselves with enemies who come after us even though, as far as we know, we have done nothing to them. Instead of seeking to get vengeance for ourselves we, like David, should appeal to the LORD for justice.
2Examine me, O LORD, and test me, probe my heart and my mind.
David is convinced of his innocence in this matter. He asks the LORD to test and probe his heart and mind. How secure are we in asking the LORD to do this in some matter we are involved in. It may be a good thing though for the LORD to for us. Perhaps He may reveal to us something we thought was innocent but played some part in our enemy going after us. If we know what it is, perhaps we can do something to make amends and make peace with them.
3I see how kind You are; I live in Your truth.
David recognizes how kind the LORD has been with him. The LORD is kind from His nature, not because we deserve it. David says he lives in the LORD’s truth. We should follow suit, i.e. be like the LORD. To walk in His truth would be to be kind from our nature or at least from the LORD’s nature to people who don’t deserve it. That is the point in Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. We have been called out of the world to be like our heavenly Father. By the power of the Holy Spirit we can do it. Through faith in Jesus, who is the kindness of the LORD shown to us we can pass it on.
4I don’t sit with men who lie; I don’t keep company with hypocrites. 5I hate every assembly of those who do wrong and will not sit with the wicked.
One might think this is contrary to the way Jesus lived, who sat and ate with sinners. Jesus though never approved of their sins. He called them to repentance. The actions David is referring to here is taking part in their sins. David, as a prophet, would call such people to repentance. We are called, in love, to call such people to repentance, even as we live in repentance ourselves. Yet, we should not make such people our company. Bad company corrupts good character. As long as they continue in their sins defiantly we cannot hang with these people. On the other hand, we should always extend the hand of love calling them to join us in repentant lives. It is a difficult balancing act for certain. On the one hand we don’t want to be tempted by their sin. On the other hand, we don’t want to appear like we don’t deserve the same condemnation as they, for our own. Pray to the LORD Jesus Christ for wisdom and power to do this.
Heavenly Father, reveal to us any hidden faults we have which may turn men against us so we can repent and make amends. Give us justice from those who without fault of our own persecute us. Give us Your Holy Spirit that we may live in Your truth. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.