SCRIP-BITS

Psalm 26:1.    Judge me, O Lord; for I have walked in mine integrity: I have trusted also in the Lord; therefore I shall not slide.
 
Ah Friends, I don’t know if any of you like moving, but I sincerely detest it. Unfortunately though, yesterday I had to remove the rest of my mother’s belongings from her apartment, and despite having given away most of the big items last week, there was still so much small stuff to cart out that it amazed me. The good part is that I had help, some unexpected, and even then, when I got home late at night, I was so bushed that all I could do was eat, watch a little telly and fall into bed. Having said that, this morning the ole body rebelled against me, refusing to get up until it was good and ready. (smile) That’s why the Bit is so late. Obviously the aging bod can’t handle the stress and strain it once could, and knows that it still has to unpack a vanload of stuff sitting in my driveway. But whenever we get to that, we get to it. I’ll leave it in the Lord’s hands to provide some help, as He did so considerately yesterday. Now what are we writing about today? I don’t have a clue, but I’m going to peruse the Good Book and see where the Lord leads me. Soon come. Well Friends, ten minutes later I’m back with the good words for today: ‘Judge (vindicate) me, O Lord; for I have walked in mine integrity: I have trusted also in the Lord; therefore I shall not slide (slip).’ It seems that Bruh David was being falsely accused of some wrongdoing, and in his innocence, he pleads to God for vindication. Now how many of us are bold and confident enough to declare those words to God when we’re falsely accused eh? I’m not talking about the particular false accusation, but the general walking in integrity, the trusting in the Lord, and the resultant non-slipping. I suspect that many can, but certainly not enough, otherwise our world would be less stressful and angry, much more peaceful and LOVING. Ah Friends, it’s all in the numbers; hence the cliché ‘there’s strength in numbers.’ And until true believers outnumber unbelievers, our world will continue to be a mess, for that’s the enemy’s goal. Divide and conquer is his game. And he’s being rather successful about it with all the dissension, divisions, resentment and petty strife that’s currently taking place in Christ’s Church. Most of us can’t do anything about the overall situation, but we can indeed improve our individual performances, which will definitely help the macro position, by being able to say with full truth and confidence: ‘Examine me, O Lord, and prove (try) me; try (test) my reins and my heart. For thy LOVING-kindness is before mine eyes: and I have walked in thy truth.’ (Ps.26:2-3) My people, until we can say those words to our God with a clear conscience, we’re not doing as well as we ought to. It means that we’re still too much a part of this evil, ungodly world and not focused enough on heaven’s glorious doings. It means that material possessions and all the negative emotions promoted by the enemy are still too much a part of our everyday lives. Note what Cousin Sol says in Proverbs 20: ‘The just man walketh in his integrity: his children are blessed after him.’ (Prov.20:7) That’s gospel Friends! The true believer always tries to walk in integrity, be a person of good character and intentions every moment and day of their lives. Of course we occasionally make mistakes because of our inherent sinful nature, but overall we need to be strong and steadfast in walking in the character of Christ. And as Cousin Sol says, when we do this, our children, our descendants are surely blessed. The sad part of this whole story though, is that most believers know what to do, but for whatever reason don’t do it, or don’t practice it sufficiently. That only brings disrepute to Christ’s Church, because there’s nothing the enemy and his evil cohorts relish as much as a backsliding or luke warm believer. They’re quick to cry out ‘hypocrite!’ to all and sundry, and lay bare our deeds, or non-deeds before the world, so that they can drive another nail in the coffin that they’ve constructed for Christ’s Church. Oh Friends, it’s therefore up to us, to make sure that that coffin is never used, that it rots in the enemy’s hands. We have to do our best, to walk in integrity and the good character of Christ as much as is humanly possible, so that we don’t give the naysayers any live ammunition against the WAY, the TRUTH, the LIFE and the LIGHT that’s our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ! And we can only do that when we can put these words of Bruh David into action: ‘The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him.’ (Ps.28:7) That’s our mission for today, and everyday of our lives my people! Till tomorrow when we’ll continue this, our God in favour, walk safely and do right. Much LOVE!…to truly walk with God…is to truly embrace Christ’s character…