Psalm 26:1–Vindicate me, O Lord,

Everyone knows that deep feeling of anger and frustration when there seems to be an injustice done to us.  Whether that’s being wrongly accused, misunderstood, or just treated badly, when you feel you are innocent, there is a desire to have such “wrongs” vindicated or justified!

At first glance, this Psalm from David could come across a little too confident of his ways to demand the Lord vindicate him.  But David knows the character of the Lord towards His people.  That God desires a heart that lives by faith, with a life whose intentions and motivations are to please Him.  Although not perfect in his ways, it is his heart that God adored about David.

When our heart desires to please the Lord, we must remember that we received that desire as a gift from God (Ephesians 2:8).  So we can say like David, “Vindicate me, O Lord, not because I am perfect, but my heart rest in Your grace and mercy, and I live to please You!”  People become more bold to ask for forgiveness and vindication, when they know the person to be gracious and merciful…

This is why the gospel of Christ must become the center of our thinking, like David. David knew the Lord to be merciful and gracious.  His confidence to ask for vindication was not in his perfection, but knowing the character of God and his own heart towards Him (1 John 3:21).  David also knew who mattered most was God.  He knew that people could vindicate what you did, but if God condemned it, you lived with no real joy and peace.  While if God vindicates you and people condemn you, you can still have joy and peace, because you are pleasing to Him!

In His Love, Ld