Clean my Reins

O. T. #1205 "Clean my Reins"
May 7, 2018
Psalms 26

LET IT GLOW

I thought the thing used to turn animals like horses in the desired direction is called reins. It is. Reins consist of long straps connected to the bit in the horse's mouth. Pull back on the reins and the horse should stop; turn it left or right and the animal will go that direction. That is only one meaning of the word. However, the Bible has another meaning for the word rein. Read on to find out what it is.

Here we read of David's plea for examination and vindication by the Lord on the basis of his avowed integrity. What is integrity?

Integrity refers to completeness, innocence, perfect, upright, simplicity.

Did you know that David was a type of Christ in Scripture? Jesus Christ is referred to as the Son of David. His lineage can be found in Matthew 1. Christ was made a reproach of men, had all manner of evil said against Him.
As for David, king Saul was persuing and persecuting him. He had been falsely accused of  wanting to kill this king of Israel. both Christ and David were both innocent of charges against them.
David asks to be judged in his own integrity because he has done all God asked. He has trusted in God, walked in God's commandments, and  was free from the offense of slander of which he is being charged. David is asking the Lord, who knows his inner motives, to vindicate and protect him from his enemies.

Jump down to verse 11 and we read of David using the same word, integrity. This time, he asks God to redeem him and be merciful unto him.

In verse 2, David asks God to examine, prove, and try him.

Try my reins and my heart. ((verses 2)

Reins, in the Hebrew language, refers to two things-the kidneys (as an essential organ) or the mind (as the interior self). I tend to think David was referring to the latter, his mind. :)

Here is our challenge today: Would we ask God to try our reins, read our mind? Wow! Not me. I'm sure He would be quite displeased at times with what He would find, yet He has constant access to our mind. Oh, yeah, that is right. I don't know about you, but it is time for me to clean my reins. Be aware of what I see and think today.


LET IT GROW

Liberty Bible Commentary says David embarks on a sixfold enumeration of his integrity:

1. God's lovingkindness is before David's eyes.
2. David had walked in God's truth. This truth is God's Law. Only a person who has experienced God's grace can make such a claim.
3. He did not sit with vain people.
4. Neither would he go with dissemblers, hypocrites.
5. David hated the congregation of evildoers. Those who have experienced the grace of God in salvation must hate such gatherings and assemblies and have no part in them.
6. David will not sit with the wicked. He sits at the table of the Great King.

Can we say that David watched what he was doing, where he was going, with whom he was associating? We would be wise to do the same, huh?

LET IT GO

Strive to be a person of integrity, doing what is right in God's eyes.
Clean my reins, mind; tell the devil to leave when bad thoughts pop in.
Take notice with whom I am keeping company. Make sure it is believers with integrity.