Integrity’s Reward
Let’s enter into a conversation between Solomon and God that reveals God’s passion for integrity.
The Lord said to him: “I have heard the prayer and plea you have made before me; I have consecrated this temple, which you have built, by putting my Name there forever. My eyes and my heart will always be there.
4 “As for you, if you walk before me in integrity of heart and uprightness, as David your father did, and do all I command and observe my decrees and laws, 5 I will establish your royal throne over Israel forever, as I promised David your father when I said, ‘You shall never fail to have a man on the throne of Israel.’
6 “But if you or your sons turn away from me and do not observe the commands and decrees I have given you and go off to serve other gods and worship them, 7 then I will cut off Israel from the land I have given them and will reject this temple I have consecrated for my Name. Israel will then become a byword and an object of ridicule among all peoples. 8 And though this temple is now imposing, all who pass by will be appalled and will scoff and say, ‘Why has the Lord done such a thing to this land and to this temple?’ 9 People will answer, ‘Because they have forsaken the Lord their God, who brought their fathers out of Egypt, and have embraced other gods, worshiping and serving them—that is why the Lord brought all this disaster on them.’ ” -- 1 Kings 9:1-9
This passage pretty much sums up what God thinks of people who are filled with integrity. Integrity is defined as being honest and upright. It is doing what is right even when no one is looking. From our Scripture today we can see that God expects us to have integrity no matter who we are in life. It is a matter of the heart. There are blessings awaiting those who walk with integrity just like there are consequences for those who live without integrity.
My prayer is that you will live according to the Truth that is found in the Bible and that the Almighty God will empower you through and through to uphold His right living principles.
This Sunday we are going to be interviewing Yi and Ronglan, who have joined us from China. A retired missionary, Hilbert Miller, who was instrumental in their call to ministry, will be here to share as well. Come and worship together with your church family and find out how to pray for Yi and Ronglan.
“O Lord, who may dwell in your sanctuary? Who may live on your holy hill? He who walks with integrity, and does what is righteous, who speaks truth from his heart.” Psalm 15:1-2
Joy in Jesus!
Pastor Mike
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