On Mother’s Day posts and articles will abound about these worthy women – their sacrifice, their ministry, their call and more. But on this Mother’s Day I cannot help but reflect on Ps. 26 and the challenge given to all women regardless of the role they fill.
All women are called to be women of integrity. Regardless of whether we work inside the home or outside of it, whether we have a quiver full or we’re praying for one, each of us is called to be single-minded in our devotion.
In fact, Ps. 26 is a prayer of integrity. Primarily, it paints the picture of an individual who delights in being free.
In Ps. 26, David says integrity looks like:
- A heart that trusts in God (vs. 1b)
- A heart willing to be examined (vs. 2)
- A heart willing to be proven/tested (vs. 2)
- A heart that rejoices in truth (vs. 3b)
- A heart that worships God alone (vs. 4)
- A heart that does not tolerate hypocrisy (vs. 4b)
- A heart that hates evil & wickedness (vs. 5, 9, 10)
- A heart that yearns to dwell in God’s presence (vs. 6b, 8)
- A heart that praises God (vs. 7b)
- A heart that walks in integrity as a pattern of life (vs. 11)
Read Ps. 26 and notice the similarities with Ps. 1.
There is similar language between the two psalms. In Ps. 1, the progressive nature of sin will stop you in your tracks. As you go from walking, to standing, to sitting you’ll find yourself sinking deeper into a pit.
In Ps. 26, the same pattern is present, although reversed. Because the woman of integrity stands firm against sin, she is able to walk without fear – in the Lord’s house, to the congregation, to the altar.
How is this possible? The result of living a single-minded life is sure footing – the freedom to walk without fear. In fact, freedom serves as the bookends to this psalm.
“For I have walked in my integrity. I have also trusted in the Lord; I shall not slip.” (Ps. 26:1)
“My feet stand on level ground; in the great congregation I will praise the Lord.” (Ps. 26:12)
Dear Heavenly Father, your Word tells us that being single-minded is not simply a matter of the direction of my worship; it is a matter of freedom. David tells us there is great freedom in living a life of integrity. Please help me be a mother who blazes a path of freedom for my children – so that one day they might walk their own paths of integrity, being singularly-devoted to you and the freedom you provide for their sin. Please help me direct my children to you. Amen.
For the other posts in this series, click here.
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