A Theology of Prayer - Struggles in Prayer

Study 25

Text: Psalm 7

THE IMPORTANCE OF PERSONAL INTEGRITY

In David's prayer to God, he appealed for Divine justice to be upheld. He knew that even as he pleaded for God's judgment to be upheld, he too would come under scrutiny from the Lord! God was an impartial judge! He would not excuse David if he had lived a life of iniquity. Personal integrity was of vital importance.

"The Lord shall judge the peoples;
Judge me, O Lord, according to my righteousness,
And according to my integrity within me"
Psalm 7:8

1. Confidence in Divine Justice

David believed with all his heart that God would indeed hear and respond to his prayer! Yes, God would judge all involved. Thus he could say, 'The Lord shall judge the peoples."

2. Certain that Divine Justice would be totally impartial

David submitted himself to the same divine judgment of God. How would God actually judge the peoples?

a) According to righteousness

God would always judge righteously. When David wrote of his "righteousness" he was not thinking of sinless perfection. Though David had sinned from time to time, generally speaking, he had sought to live a life of righteousness.

He was a man of prayer, judging from the many psalms that he had written. He was a man of mercy too. Time and again, he spared the lives of his enemies. He certainly loved God and delighted in worshipping Him. These things would constitute his personal righteousness. His personal standing before God would have to depend on Divine grace given to him!

b) According to personal integrity

Integrity is closely tied to the concept of personal righteousness. As a rule, David sought to live with a great sense of personal integrity! As best he could, he sought to live according to his faith and according to his knowledge of God and His Word.

There would of course be personal failings. There would be lapses from time to time! In studying the life of David, we do see him as a man of great personal integrity. He did not abuse his royal powers. He was not corrupt as a king. He ruled his people well and risked his life time and again in battles. There were always enemies who sought to conquer Israel. David was no coward in those times. He personally went to war against aggressors!

PLEADING PERSONAL INTEGRITY IN PRAYER

We learn yet another vital principle in prayer from David! Our personal life and integrity are vital in the war against evil! How we must be challenged to examine our hearts and our lives! May we have a highly developed sense of personal integrity in life!

~ Pastor Charlie Tan ~