My Soul Blesses God

Opening Thoughts

The Bible teaches us is that the whole duty of man </> (the sole reason we were created) is to obey the commandments of God.

Living for God—according to His Word—is not easy. Jesus taught:

Matthew 7:13–14 “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, </> and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard </> that leads to life, and those who find it are few.”

Further, scripture calls us to “work out our salvation with fear and trembling,” (Phi 2:12) which includes striving against indwelling sin and forsaking the ways of unbelievers—that is, the wicked.

When we trust God and commit to his way of living, there is a divine reward.

Psalm 1:1 declares: “Blessed is the one who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand in the way of sinners, nor sit in the seat of scoffers.”

Blessed, indeed, is the one who does not practice sinful living, but instead, nurtures a thankful heart toward God </> through a godly lifestyle.

Though he was not perfect, David consistently demonstrated his faith and obedience in these ways. On this basis, he pleads with God to spare him from the fate of the wicked. Thus he cries out in v9:

Psalm 26:9 “Do not sweep my soul away with sinners, nor my life with bloodthirsty men,”

In today’s message, we will explore this central question: How does obedience to God grant us access to His goodness, which preserves us in the Christian life?

Part 1 Empowered by God’s Unfailing Love

It is unknown as to what specific event is occurring in David’s life that inspired the writing of this Psalm. What is clear is that his enemies are attacking him, which seems to include his name be slandered.

David wanted exoneration that only comes from God. He trusted God to justify him </> as he strived to live a life of faith consistent with this Word. He says in v1:

Psalm 26:1“Vindicate me, O Lord, for I have walked in my integrity, and I have trusted in the Lord without wavering.”

Why do we (at times) struggle in living a life of faith before God? It is because (sometimes) we are not confident </> in the quality of our relationship with him. We struggle of being sure of our standing before him. Especially (as a professed Christian) when we are not living for him as should </> according to his Word.

Then how do we recover such assurance of our faith? The answer is: In fellowship with God. In relationship with God. Living in obedience to God. For he increases our assurance of faith though:

Knowledge of God

Submission to God (authority)

Experiencing God

Meaning, when we experience him in all seasons of life. Whether we see his glory on the mountaintop of victory in our lives, </> or we take refuge in his strengthening, preserving, and guiding hand in our valley of afflictions.

David knew God in all these things </> by virtue of his diligence in pursuing fellowship with God </> by persisting in obeying God’s Word </> in all seasons of his life. By prioritizing his relationship with God, he experienced God’s love time and time again. 

God’s love was effectual </> in producing obedience in David’s life, thus he says in v3:

Psalm 26:3 “For your steadfast love is before my eyes, and I walk in your faithfulness.”

Here you see David obedience empowered by God’s unfailing, steadfast love. Though David was not sinless, he endeavored to follow God in the strength he supplied.

Likewise, Christ is our righteousness. His unwavering love for his people has been poured out in us. It is by his love and kindness he has drawn us to himself. So, if we yield to the leadership of his Spirit, </> we will not live the lifestyle of the unregenerate </> (i.e., unbelievers, which was our old nature and its old way of living) who worships at the altar of wickedness.

There is only two ways of living. The way of God (by the Spirit) </> or the way Satan (by our human flesh that enslaved to the affections of the world). Paul teaches the contrast of these two paths:

Galatians 5:16–26 “But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. </> For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, </> for these are opposed to each other, </> to keep you from doing the things you want to do. </> But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. </>

Now the works of the flesh are evident:

sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, </>

and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

But the fruit of the Spirit is

love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control;

against such things there is no law.

And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh </> with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.”

Because of God’s righteousness reigning within us, his Spirit will convict, prompt, and leads us away from gatherings of the wicked </> where evil is exalted and there is delight in iniquity.

The more you and I grow in Christ </> we shall become more sensitive about the company we keep </> or the type of talk we allow our ears to endure.

We will not be numbered among their fellowship of deceit, </> thus David affirms his own integrity in this matter. He says in v5:

Psalm 26:5 “I hate the assembly of evildoers, and I will not sit with the wicked.”

God’s unfailing love works in our lives and empowers our walk in righteousness.

Part 2 Faithfulness In Action

If we truly have saving faith, it will have works of righteous living to follow it.

David worshipped and lived before God with sincerity. As proof of his integrity, David offered (in prayer) </> ways he pursued righteous living that revealed a faith </> that distinguished him among unbelievers. He continues in v4:

Psalm 26:4–5 “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.”

Why is it important as Christians that our way of living be distinguishable from unbelievers?

One: remember we are set apart (sanctified) by God to be different and be a light in the dark world.

Two: to have fellowship with unbelievers and blend their way of living with Godly living is to degrade and corrupt our own souls. Remember, a light will cease from being the light </> if allows itself to be overcome upon by darkness.

Paul taught:

1 Corinthians 15:33, “Do not be deceived: ‘Bad company ruins good morals.”

As Christians, we must be mindful of where we go, what we listen to, and the company we keep. However, this presents a challenge, as we are also called to labor in the Great Commission of spreading the gospel and making disciples.

To fulfill this calling, we must enter the spheres of life inhabited by unbelievers. But Jesus serves as our model for navigating this tension. Remember, He went into the homes of tax collectors </> and broke bread with them, yet He never joined them in sin to win them to God.

Reaching people for Christ involves looking for opportunities </> to talk to others about Jesus, perhaps sharing a meal and the Word in the homes of unbelievers for the purpose of the Gospel, </> perhaps engaging in public spaces where unbelievers congregate to communicate the message of salvation.

However, this is not the same as participating in wrongdoing with the wicked. Again, there is a fine line between reaching people and having fellowship with them in evil.

Paul exhorts:

Ephesians 5:8-11, “for at one time you were darkness, but now you are the light in the Lord. Walk as children of the light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them.”

Remember, it is only by the holiness of God </> being put to practice in our daily lives, will people actually see God! David understood this. He continues in v6:

Psalm 26:6–7 “I wash my hands in innocence and go around your altar, O Lord, </> proclaiming thanksgiving aloud, and telling all your wondrous deeds.”

How does David words in these verses instruct us in righteous living? The Christian life is one of confession of sin and repentance. Approaching God with transparency and humility </> is foundational to our prayers and our spiritual worship, thus David says, “I wash my hands in innocence and go around your altar…”

In other words, David was free of the sinful acts committed by his adversaries. And any sins he committed, he confessed to God. His conscious is now clear in his presence (before his altar).

Further, we called to offer our prayers with thanksgiving and hearts that continually praise him, because the Bible teaches us </> that God is faithful and just to forgive our sins and cleanse us of all unrighteousness (1 Jn 1:9).

When we place our faith in God for our righteousness, we will be not numbered with the wicked, for David prays in v8:

Psalm 26:8–10 “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.”

David helps us understand by his own testimony of his righteousness </> and by listing of the ways of the wicked, there is only two ways of living before God.

Destruction is our inheritance when we live as the world. Life is our reward when we live as Christ. Obeying his Word and living for him </> is faithfulness in action.

Part 3 Praise God for Redemption

David’s faith was anchored on truth, which produced a life of praise and thanksgiving </> among the very people he was anointed to shepherd, thus he ends this Psalm with a profession of assurance of his salvation. Living God’s way granted him stability in his personal life </> and assured him of his right standing before God. He prays in v12:

Psalm 26:12 “My foot stands on level ground; in the great assembly I will bless the Lord.”

How much more should our life be one of worship? We have a Heavenly Father who has performed all the requirements of righteousness on our behalf </> as a demonstration </> of his steadfast love and mercy.

It is he who plants our feet on the level ground of his righteousness, because our faith is anchored in the foundation of his Son, the Rock of our salvation.

What an encouragement should be it for us daily to know that God is for his children and not against us? What greater love is there to boast in </> that we serve a Holy God who has washed us of all our sins and redeemed us by the blood of his Son?

Our sins are wiped out of His presence that we may come, as David says (v6) “...around his altar” to testify of his goodness aloud, and tell all of his wonderful deeds to the world. This is what it truly means to bless the Lord at all times, that his praise be found continually in our mouths!

Too much of our relationship with God is about “how can God bless me?” No, a better way of our fellowship with God is how can my soul bless him……..that is with faithful living?

Why should we grow in approaching God in this way? Because like David, we have tasted and seen that God is good!

David pursued godly living, that his life of faith </> be a blessing offering unto the Lord, for he was a recipient of his redemption, thus he says, v11:

Psalm 26:11 “But as for me, I shall walk in my integrity; redeem me, and be gracious to me.”

Final Word

This psalm should encourage all of us to examine our own lives </> in light of our faith and commitment to God. It is a call to believers to seek a deeper relationship with Christ, emphasizing the need for integrity in both personal and communal life, especially when facing opposition or trials.

Today's message reminds us that godly integrity is not just about ethical behavior; it is deeply connected to our relationship with God.

It illustrates that our trust in God must be at the center of our actions, leading us to a place of righteousness and vindication by the Lord.

Christ is our example. Throughout the Scriptures, Jesus exemplified perfect integrity and purity of heart, standing firm in the face of opposition </> and ultimately providing vindication for his people through His resurrection.

This psalm foreshadows the righteousness that He offers to all who believe in Him, enabling us to live as He did by His Spirit.

A life of integrity, grounded in trust and devotion to God, leads to divine vindication and reveals the heart of true faith.

For only the faithful soul blesses God.