Psalm 26 ~ Are You Ready To Be Tested?

Psalm 26 kind of called me out this morning. King David begins his prayer with:

"Vindicate me, O LORD,
for I have walked in my integrity,
and I have trusted in the LORD without wavering.
Prove me, O LORD, and try me;
test my heart and my mind.
For your steadfast love is before my eyes,
and I walk in your faithfulness."

David is so confident of his faith and obedience to God, that he invites God to look into his heart and judge him. In English, to vindicate means to clear one's name, but here the original Greek word is "shaphat" which means to judge, govern or punish. David goes on to ask the LORD to test his heart. The word test here refers to a process similar to that used in purifying metals. David is literally asking God to put his feet to the fire, to purify him and to weed out his impurities.

Are you that confident in your walk with Christ? Are you so sure of your faith and obedience to God that you can say to Him that you are prepared to endure His testing and scrutiny? I don't know about you, but I've still got a few issues to work out before I could be that bold.

I'm not sure though, that this is the message God wants’ us to take away from this Psalm. I think it is more of an assurance that no matter where we are in our walk, we should always be willing to ask God to examine our hearts, and for Him to reveal to us where we are falling short. God knows we aren't going to be perfect, and if we wait for that time in our lives when we feel like we've got all our sins under control and are walking like Christ, then we're missing out on what I believe is the true blessing of this Psalm.

God doesn't expect perfection from us, but He does expect accountability. He wants us to keep short accounts with Him. As believers we are forgiven of our sins, so we need not fear His judgment. We've already been justified (reconciled or made right before God) and as believers we take heart in knowing that our salvation can not be taken away. As believers we should also have a desire to perfect our lives with the standard of Christ as our goal.

So with this in mind I resolve to invite God to prove me, try me and to test my heart and mind because I do desire to walk in His faithfulness. I invite God to show me the holes in my armor and to keep me vigilant not complacent in my battle against sin. I know I can not do this alone but only through the steadfast love, wisdom and strength of God. Are you ready to be tested?

"Vindicate me, O LORD,
for I have walked in my integrity,
and I have trusted in the LORD without wavering.
Prove me, O LORD, and try me;
test my heart and my mind.
For your steadfast love is before my eyes,
and I walk in your faithfulness.
I do not sit with men of falsehood,
nor do I consort with hypocrites.
I hate the assembly of evildoers,
and I will not sit with the wicked.
I wash my hands in innocence
and go around your altar, O LORD,
proclaiming thanksgiving aloud,
and telling all your wondrous deeds.
O LORD, I love the habitation of your house
and the place where your glory dwells.
Do not sweep my soul away with sinners,
nor my life with bloodthirsty men,
in whose hands are evil devices,
and whose right hands are full of bribes.
But as for me, I shall walk in my integrity;
redeem me, and be gracious to me.
My foot stands on level ground;
in the great assembly I will bless the LORD."
(Psalm 26 ESV)