Holding On To Integrity – Page 3

KJB Daily Devotion – Following Jesus Through Every Chapter
Date: Tuesday, May 09, 2017
Chapters: II Samuel 8-9, Psalms 36,39
Message: Holding On To Integrity

Hello My Friend,

Integrity; Moral soundness or purity; incorruptible; upright; honest. Integrity is not something of great value anymore, people want what they want and they do not care what they have to do to get it they will get it, with not one ounce of shame in doing something immoral. As Christians, we do not have to lose our integrity to get the things we want, and we do not have to hide that we are a Christian either. We can hold our heads up high, knowing that we stand with Jesus Christ, walk with Him in integrity, and watch everything we do prosper. “Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity, than he that is perverse in his lips, and is a fool. Also, that the soul be without knowledge, it is not good; and he that hasteth with his feet sinneth.” – Proverbs 19:1-2.

Haste; Irritability; susceptibility of anger, warmth or temper. One thing Christians come to realize over the years is that the more they walk with Christ the more challenges come, oh, we may get rest from our tests, but there are more on the way. Why? To keep us dependent upon God. The second we get too lax in our work, the easier it is for us to walk off and fall into sin. Challenges keep us looking to God and holding on to our integrity so we continue to prosper. After God had given David a short rest from battling the enemy, God led him to defeat more and claim some of the land that still had not been claimed since Joshua brought them into the promised land.

“When Toi king of Hamath heard that David had smitten all the host of Hadadezer, Then Toi sent Joram his son unto king David, to salute him, and to bless him, because he had fought against Hadadezer, and smitten him: for Hadadezer had wars with Toi. And Joram brought with him vessels of silver, and vessels of gold, and vessels of brass: Which also king David did dedicate unto the LORD, with the silver and gold that he had dedicated of all nations which he subdued; Of Syria, and of Moab, and of the children of Ammon, and of the Philistines, and of Amalek, and of the spoil of Hadadezer, son of Rehob, king of Zobah. And David gat him a name when he returned from smiting of the Syrians in the valley of salt, being eighteen thousand men. And he put garrisons in Edom; throughout all Edom put he garrisons, and all they of Edom became David’s servants. And the LORD preserved David whithersoever he went. And David reigned over all Israel; and David executed judgment and justice unto all his people.” – II Samuel 8:9-15.

“Which also king David did dedicate unto the LORD,” Dedicate; To give wholly or chiefly to. Much of David’s success had to do with his dedicating everything he received from the battles to God. God is a part of every bit of our success, and while we are not required to give Him everything we receive, He does want recognition and glory for what He has helped us achieve. Nothing brings more prosperity to our lives than acknowledging God in every bit of our success. David knew this, which is why he wrote this Psalm around the same time.

“How excellent is thy lovingkindness, O God! therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wings. They shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of thy house; and thou shalt make them drink of the river of thy pleasures. For with thee is the fountain of life: in thy light shall we see light. O continue thy lovingkindness unto them that know thee; and thy righteousness to the upright in heart. Let not the foot of pride come against me, and let not the hand of the wicked remove me.” – Psalm 36:7-11.

“and thou shalt make them drink of the river of thy pleasures.” God’s pleasures, did you know that it pleases God to see us prosper? We are the ones who mess things up with our pride, and our wanting to get up from under His wings. Just like a mother bird hides her babies under her wings to keep them out of danger, God does the same to His children, as long as we trust Him, He will see us through every challenge. “Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.” – I Peter 5:6-7.

Another form of integrity is admitting that you have done wrong, and making things right. David never forgot about the covenant he made with Jonathan, Saul’s son, to take care of his family. While he could not be there for Jonathan since he died, he asked if there was any one left of his family. He found out that he had a son, Mephibosheth, who had been in hiding out since David was encouraged to banished all who were crippled out of Israel. David not only restored to him his father’s possessions, he also made him a part of the royal table for the rest of his life. Mephibosheth was so surprised at this act of kindness that he just dropped to his knees.

“Now when Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, was come unto David, he fell on his face, and did reverence. And David said, Mephibosheth. And he answered, Behold thy servant! And David said unto him, Fear not: for I will surely shew thee kindness for Jonathan thy father’s sake, and will restore thee all the land of Saul thy father; and thou shalt eat bread at my table continually. And he bowed himself, and said, What is thy servant, that thou shouldest look upon such a dead dog as I am? Then the king called to Ziba, Saul’s servant, and said unto him, I have given unto thy master’s son all that pertained to Saul and to all his house. Thou therefore, and thy sons, and thy servants, shall till the land for him, and thou shalt bring in the fruits, that thy master’s son may have food to eat: but Mephibosheth thy master’s son shall eat bread alway at my table. Now Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants. Then said Ziba unto the king, According to all that my lord the king hath commanded his servant, so shall thy servant do. As for Mephibosheth, said the king, he shall eat at my table, as one of the king’s sons.” – II Samuel 9:6-11.

“for I will surely shew thee kindness for Jonathan thy father’s sake,” Mephibosheth thanked David, humbling himself, but comparing himself to a dead dog, which meant that he did not feel worthy to accept all that David blessed him with. This is a great illustration of how we are accepted by God through our faith in His Son. All who believe in and receive Him will have a permanent place setting with our only KING, and that is the true favor of God. Sometimes we make the wrong choices, even when we are faithful to God, but He will redirect us when we come to Him.

“My heart was hot within me, while I was musing the fire burned: then spake I with my tongue, LORD, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is; that I may know how frail I am. Behold, thou hast made my days as an handbreadth; and mine age is as nothing before thee: verily every man at his best state is altogether vanity. Selah. Surely every man walketh in a vain shew: surely they are disquieted in vain: he heapeth up riches, and knoweth not who shall gather them. And now, Lord, what wait I for? my hope is in thee. Deliver me from all my transgressions: make me not the reproach of the foolish. I was dumb, I opened not my mouth; because thou didst it.” – Psalm 39:3-9.

“while I was musing the fire burned:” Muse; To be absent in mind. When our heart is hurting and we get lost in our thoughts that is when we make bad decisions, I can count endless times that I have done something stupid because I was not thinking clearly and did not want to talk to God. We have to keep the fire burning for God at all times, otherwise we will risk our integrity. “The integrity of the upright shall guide them: but the perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them. Riches profit not in the day of wrath: but righteousness delivereth from death. The righteousness of the perfect shall direct his way: but the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness.” – Proverbs 11:3-5.

Jesus Christ Magnified: Today, Jesus is revealed as the one who is the fountain of life and light (Ps 36:9). Jesus fountain of life to all who come to Him, and shines His light on all who abide with Him. “And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.” – Revelation 21:6.

Today’s Prayer: God, It is no surprise that You will give peace and prosperity to all who love You and want You in their lives. Prosperity can be dangerous when we are not walking with You at all times with it. So, God, while I do want to prosper, I do not want to lose sight of the fact that everything good and bad is allowed by You. Everything You do helps me grow, stay faithful to You, and keeps me from falling into temptation from getting lax when things seem to be a little bit easy for me. Lord, lead me and guide me and help me to prosper Your way, and remind me every day to acknowledge all that You have done for me. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

God Bless You, I am praying for you,

Christina

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