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"My foot standeth in an even place: in the congregations will I bless the LORD (Jehovah)." Psalm 26:12

(Unless otherwise indicated Scripture is defined from the Strong’s Concordance)

As Thanksgiving approaches I am reminded that Christians think much about being thankful for the "all things" in our lives.  We easily ‘think much’ about being thankful, but too often fall short of being able to vocalize it. Why?

Psalm 26:1-12

In this passage of scripture God gives some prerequisites to our being able to be publicly and vocally thankful to Jehovah for His marvelous and wonderful works.

Vs. 7 "That I may publish (hear intelligently, discern, proclaim) with the voice (call aloud, sing, voice+yell) of thanksgiving and tell of all thy wondrous works." 

As I sat and considered these twelve verses of scripture, God reminded me of a conversation I had with Teddi Neevel a couple of weeks ago: A conversation about our need to vocalize the goodness of God to the decade of Christians behind us who were raised in plenty in an economically prosperous society.  And, of course, to the lost.  I think this is especially relevant as our society becomes less prosperous and so many have no idea how to live with less and trust God to supply their needs.

My greatest burden is for our churches to be filled with Titus 2 men and women...Christians who will reproduce the good things and teachings of God in younger people. I believe the area we have fallen short in the most is being transparent enough to proclaim the goodness of Jehovah God in every detail of our lives.  And I believe God---in Psalm 27--gives the reason why men do not boldly and loudly bless Jehovah---voicing loudly and openly  His greatness with thanksgiving.

Verse 1---"JUDGE ME, O LORD (Jehovah); for I have walked in mine integrity (completeness, simplicity, moral innocence, uprightness):  I have trusted also in the LORD (Jehovah); therefore I shall not slide (waiver).

Verse 2---"Examine me, O LORD (Jehovah), and prove me; try my reins (mind---inner self) and my heart (feelings, intellect).

These two verses of scripture are powerful and tough ones to pray.  Even the word 'integrity' has all but escaped the English language -- even where Christians are concerned.   Integrity in the Strong’s Concordance means: completeness, simplicity, moral innocence, uprightness.  The Webster’s Dictionary defines integrity as: being complete, wholeness; soundness, uprightness, honesty, sincerity.

It would be a difficult thing to ask God to "JUDGE ME, O LORD" and "Examine me, O LORD" and "try my mind" if I was not walking in integrity trusting the LORD (Jehovah).   If I was not with purpose walking in integrity, trusting God, I believe His examination and judgement of my lack of integrity and trust would be a heart-wrenching painful experience for me. 

If I was:

• Failing to go to church
• Failing to tithe
• Failing to pray
• Lying
• Not truly loving my brothers in the Lord
• Backbiting, gossiping, or full of anger and bitterness
• Swearing
• Full of anxiety-- which is sin and a lack of trust for Jehovah God
• Feeding "self"’ with pity and so called injustices from others
• Watching ungodly television (and commercials are part of watching television)
• Listening to ungodly music
• Reading ungodly magazines
• Surfing and reading ungodly Internet sites
• Dressing in immodest clothing
• ‘Borrowing’ items from work and never returning them.
• Yoking with vain people (vs. 4---evil literally or morally; those practicing idolatry)
• Yoking with disassemblers (vs. 5---those who hide self and secret things)
• Fellowshipping with wicked men (vs. 6--morally wrong; an (actively) bad person:condemned, guilty, ungodly, wicked (man), that did wrong.
• Etc.---anything else that is contrary to the Word of God.

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