Psalm 26, 365 DAYS OF LOVE #271

MEMORY VERSE: "Surely God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart. But as for me, my feet had nearly slipped; I had nearly lost my foothold. For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. They have no struggles; their bodies are healthy and strong. They are free from the burdens common to man; they have no illnesses. Therefore pride is their necklace; they clothe themselves with violence." Psalm 73:1-6

NOTES: ¹ Vindicate me, LORD, 
   for I have led a blameless life;
I have trusted in the LORD
   and have not faltered.
² Test me, LORD, and try me,
   examine my heart and my mind;
³ for I have always been mindful of your unfailing love
   and have lived in reliance on your faithfulness.

 ⁴ I do not sit with the deceitful,
   nor do I associate with hypocrites.
⁵ I abhor the assembly of evildoers
   and refuse to sit with the wicked.
⁶ I wash my hands in innocence,
   and go about your altar, LORD,
⁷ proclaiming aloud your praise
   and telling of all your wonderful deeds.

 ⁸ LORD, I love the house where you live,
   the place where your glory dwells.
⁹ Do not take away my soul along with sinners,
   my life with those who are bloodthirsty,
¹⁰ in whose hands are wicked schemes,
   whose right hands are full of bribes.
¹¹ I lead a blameless life;
   deliver me and be merciful to me.

 ¹² My feet stand on level ground;
   in the great congregation I will praise the LORD.

I like this passage because it shows the redeeming love of Jesus. I don't think David means that he has never committed a sin when he writes that he has "led a blameless life;" rather, I think he's referring to how the Lord continuously forgives and forgets our sins when we repent and seek His face. How amazing is it that our past failures and sins no longer need to haunt us with the vindication of Christ!

ACT OF LOVE: Today, I helped my friend pick out a book for his research project when we were at the library. Even though I wanted to use the same book, I helped him find it and let him use it first.