Tuesday prior to Proper 17

 

Psalm 26— Psalm 26 is simply titled A Psalm of David. Attempts to place it at a specific time in David’s life are unsure. It shares themes with many psalms, but notice that despite the danger of evil associates, David remained confident that he would not slip, and that he would securely stand in an even place.

The psalmist, David, asks the LORD to vindicate him—clear his name—of false accusations. For what reason? Because David has ‘trusted in the LORD without wavering’—he belongs to the LORD by faith.

Though Christ has died to forgive every one of our sins, the devil will try to throw our transgressions in our face, and make us despair of salvation. In such situations, we must call upon the LORD to vindicate us—not because we are without sin, but because Christ has redeemed us from sin and its eternal consequence and, by faith, we belong to Him. Says St. Paul, ‘There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.’ - Romans 8:1

C.S. Lewis has been mention to say, “Many people have a very strong desire to meet celebrated or ‘important’ people, including those whom they disapprove…. But I am inclined to think a Christian would be wise to avoid, where he decently can, any meeting with people who are bullies, or lascivious, cruel, dishonest, spiteful and so forth. Not because we are ‘too good’ for them. In a sense we are not good enough. We are not good enough to cope with all the temptations, nor clever enough to cope with all the problems, which an evening spent in such society produces.”[1]

Prayer in times of affliction and distress: Almighty and most merciful God, in this earthly life we endure sufferings and death before we enter into eternal glory. Grant us grace at all times to subject ourselves to Your holy will and to continue steadfast in the true faith to the end of our lives that we may know the peace and joy of the blessed hope of the resurrection of the dead and of the glory of the world to come;[2]

Collect for Psalm 26 – Lord Jesus, Lamb without stain, image of the Father’s glory; Give us the strength to avoid sin and be faithful to you always. Lead us to the place where God dwells in his glory, that we may praise him with joy among his saints now and forever.[3]

 

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[1] Reflections on the Psalms, in a chapter titled “Connivance” Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, © 1958
[2] Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis
[3] For All the Saints, A Prayer Book for and by the Church, © 1995 Vol. II American Lutheran Publicity Bureau, Delhi, NY