Feeling tempted to let integrity slide in a tough situation? Fiona shares.
“I know that You are pleased with me, for my enemy does not triumph over me. In my integrity You uphold me and set me in Your presence forever” (Psalm 41:11-12).
Do you ever find that reading a verse in the Bible takes you back to a time when that verse had a special influence on you?
That happened when I read the above Psalm and got to these verses. I remembered years ago, how grateful I’d been to read them–and hold on to them.
I’d been having a really tough time at work with a manager who was treating me unfairly. Our working relationship was difficult and he knew that I disagreed with some things he was doing. I kept trying to do what was right and also to maintain the relationships with people who were watching how I handled his poor management.
One of the Elders in our church was praying for me–she knew something of the difficulties I was facing. She called to share a Psalm with me that she’d had on her heart as she prayed for me.
It wasn’t Psalm 41–but when I was reading through it after our phone call, my eyes were drawn to Psalm 41 and these verses seemed to be an assurance that I’d get through that time. God was watching out for me.
Acting with integrity was important, and He would uphold me because of that, so my “enemy” didn’t triumph.
I’m sure that was one of those “God things” as there was something encouraging in both the Psalms I read that night.
As I read those verses again today, I thought how often I see pain as my enemy now. It’s insidious in the way it gets into every part of my life.
Yet God still promises the enemy will not triumph!
Living with integrity can mean many things, but I hope God is pleased with me and how I face my enemy, chronic pain.
Prayer: Father, we each face different “enemies” in our every-day existence. Help us to face those enemies with the integrity You desire us to live out. Some days are hard now, but thank You that one day “my faith shall be sight” and I’ll sing “It is well with my soul”–with You forever. Amen.
About the Author:
Fiona Burrows lives in Melbourne, Australia. She is thankful that God walks each step of her life with her, and that He is teaching her new things as she learns to live with chronic back pain. She enjoys finding time for reading, writing, and photography, and to share those things with others. You can contact her in the Sunroom, or read more of her writing on her blog there.
What’s the current “enemy” you are facing? Is there a scripture that you hold on to as you face the enemy?
This is Needtobreath singing “Washed By the Water.” It’s considered a piano-based rock ballad. The story behind the song is that it was written by the Rinehart brothers “about their father who was a pastor. Lead singer Bear Rinehart said, ‘It’s a song about my dad. He’s a pastor . . . There was some stuff that got said at our church that actually turned out to not be true when it all came out. I just thought it was a cool thing that my dad kept his integrity throughout that whole situation.'”
I hope it encourages you if you feel you are up against a tough choice–or if someone is doubting your integrity. I love the sound . . . and the message. I was recently in this situation where my integrity was questioned. It is a hard place to be, and we want God to just make the other person see who we really are. But the message of this song? Even when the storms come, I won’t fall because God knows my heart. He knows yours too. -Lisa
Chronic Illness Pain Daily Devotionals 