January 15, 2005

“O Lord, who may abide in Thy tent? Who may dwell on Thy holy hill? He who walks with integrity, and works righteousness, and speaks truth in his heart.” Psalm 15:1-2

In Psalm 15, David describes for us the characteristics of a person seeking after Holy God. At the end of the chapter, he writes, “He who does these things will not be shaken.”

In verses 1 and 2, David reminds us of the importance of living a life of integrity. Too often today we open up newspapers or read on-line news of companies and individuals who have handled their business without integrity.

In this Psalm, we are reminded of the importance of living our lives above reproach. We are reminded that the way we live our lives in everyday circumstances reflect what we believe about Christ and His work in our lives.

Listen to this story of Raymond Floyd, a professional golfer.

“As Ray Floyd was getting ready to tap in a routine 9-inch putt, he saw the ball move ever so slightly. According to the rule book, if the ball moves in this way the golfer must take a penalty stroke. Yet consider the situation. Floyd was among the leader in a tournament offering a top prize of $108,000. To acknowledge that the ball had moved could mean he would lose his chance for big money.”

Writer David Holohan describes what others might have done: “The athlete ducks his head and flails wildly with his hands, as if being attacked by a killer bee; next, he steps back from the ball, rubbing his eye for a phantom speck of dust, all the while scanning his playing partners and the gallery for any sign that the ball’s movement has been detected by others. If the coast is clear, he taps in for his par.”

“Ray Floyd, however, didn’t do that. He assessed himself a penalty stroke and wound up with a bogey on the hole.”

In this situation, Raymond Floyd modeled what it means to do things with integrity. As we live our lives for Christ and as we live our lives with integrity, we build a great platform from which to share the gospel.

Today, as you walk with the Lord, would you ask Him to give you the wisdom, knowledge, strength, and desire to live your life with integrity?