Read Psalm 26. 1 Clear my name, God; I've kept an honest shop. I've thrown in my lot with you, God, and I'm not budging. 2 Examine me, God, from head to foot, order your battery of tests. Make sure I'm fit inside and out 3 So I never lose sight of your love, But keep in step with you, never missing a beat. 4 I don't hang out with tricksters, I don't pal around with thugs; 5 I hate that pack of gangsters, I don't deal with double-dealers. 6 I scrub my hands with purest soap, then join hands with the others in the great circle, dancing around your altar, God, 7 Singing God-songs at the top of my lungs, telling God-stories. 8 God, I love living with you; your house glows with your glory. 9 When it's time for spring cleaning, don't sweep me out with the quacks and crooks, 10 Men with bags of dirty tricks, women with purses stuffed with bribe-money. 11 You know I've been aboveboard with you; now be aboveboard with me. 12 I'm on the level with you, God; I bless you every chance I get.
This is one psalm that I like better in The Message version rather than the NRSV. It speaks of the prayer life of the psalmist and on this day the psalmist is reflecting on his life and he is admitting, through prayer, that he believes that he has done a pretty good job of living right. Those days are rare for most of us, but there are those days when we have done what we believe God asked us and we have been in the places where God needed us; yet, even on those days we may feel like we're still not quite "there" yet. And such was the petition of the psalmist in these words written so long ago.
We as individuals and perhaps our churches have reached some good points of faithfulness and service, but we're still not "there" yet. We may not even know now what "There" looks like, but on we strive, with God's help and guidance to reach new levels and especially to reach new people.
PRAYER: Loving God, let us "bless you every chance I get." In Christ Jesus I pray, amen.
