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Devotionals
Preserved by Integrity
Taking a Towel
Raised Up by the Lord
Going Hard After Christ
The Power of the Church
Rekindling a Romance for Jesus Christ
The Wonderful Cross
When is it too late?
Sowing the Gospel
Abiding in Christ
Preserved by Integrity
"Let integrity and uprightness preserve me, for I wait for You."
Ps 25:21
In life there are so many things that we long to have preserved; our reputation among men, our relationships with a significant other, friendships, our witness at work, at home, or even our ministry. These are areas that we value and cherish and seek to have sustained long into the future. Yet the problem is that we often seek self preservation through the flesh. We are trusting in our own strength to accomplish what will bring the greatest satisfaction to ourselves. When you make decisions that are self serving two things are often involved: a lack of faith, and a lack of patience in God's perfect timing. What I have found to be true in my own life is that when I do this I often compromise at best, or destroy at worst, the very areas that I value and am seeking to have preserved.
The Bible declares, as you live with integrity God will sustain you. Integrity is your character before God where as reputation is your character before man. Yet this does not always make sense. If I walk in integrity at work those who are cutting corners will get ahead, if I walk in integrity that person I am interested in may begin to date someone else, if I walk in integrity I may not beat the curve, if I live with integrity those slanderous words about me may spread. Yes, these are difficult areas to uphold integrity, but the Bible declares that when you secure integrity God will be your defense. Do you believe this? Do you really believe that God will keep your job when everyone else is getting laid off, do you believe that God will bring your husband to you, do you believe that God will enable you to pass your classes, do you believe that God will silence the lies about you without you having to defend yourself? Not only is He able to but He desires to!
God has been teaching me this in my own life. I am learning that I do not have to defend myself by the flesh to others. It does not matter what others think about me; my only duty is to be sure that my character is filled with integrity in private. I believe God will uphold my reputation and fruitfulness in the areas that I am walking in integrity. Remember, anointing comes not from outward performance but rather from integrity secured in secret before the Lord.
1. Ask Jesus to be your integrity today; ask Him to empower you to walk upright.
2. Wait...be still and wait upon him then He will be a great shield to you, He shall be your tower of refuge.
3. Ask for the faith to trust that God will exalt you, defend you, and provide for you. |
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