JUNE 11, 2014
An
Honest Heart
Read: Psalm
15
I know also, my God, that You test the heart and have pleasure in
uprightness. —1
Chronicles 29:17
I came across an
epitaph on an old gravestone in a cemetery the other day. It read, “J. Holgate:
An honest man.”
I know nothing of
Holgate’s life, but because his marker is unusually ornate, he must have struck
it rich. But whatever he accomplished in his lifetime, he’s remembered for just
one thing: He was “an honest man.”
Diogenes, the Greek
philosopher, spent a lifetime in search of honesty and finally concluded that
an honest man could not be found. Honest people are hard to find in any age,
but the trait is one that greatly matters. Honesty is not the best policy; it’s
the only policy, and one of the marks of a man or woman who lives in God’s
presence. David writes, “Lord, . . . who may dwell in Your holy hill? He who
walks uprightly” (Ps. 15:1-2).
I ask myself: Am I
trustworthy and honorable in all my affairs? Do my words ring true? Do I speak
the truth in love or do I fudge and fade the facts now and then, or exaggerate
for emphasis? If so, I may turn to God with complete confidence and ask for
forgiveness and for a good and honest heart—to make truthfulness an integral
part of my nature. The One who has begun a good work in me is faithful. He will
do it.
Lord, help me to be
honest
In all I do and say,
And grant me grace and
power
To live for You each
day. —Fitzhugh
Live in such a way
that when people think of honesty and integrity, they will think of you.
Insight
David calls God’s
people to live a life of integrity and purity (Ps. 15:2). He describes the
upright as those who do what is right and who speak truthfully and honestly.
Sincere, open, and transparent, they do not slander, discredit, or harm their
friends (v.3). They honor those who fear God and keep their promises even when
it is not advantageous to do so (v.4). They do not take advantage of others,
but act justly and fairly (v.5).
Source:
Our Daily Bread 2012
