Psalm 101 for Leaders

Psalm 101 is a terrific passage for leaders. King David essentially makes a vow of integrity and we get a clear view into what he saw as important as a leader.

​First, David commits to worship.  “I will sing of faithful love and justice; I will sing praise to You, LORD.” (vs. 1) As leaders when we put God first, we walk in the right direction.   Worship sets the foundation for integrity.  It is pretty hard to sin when we are in worship!

Second, David commits to living with integrity:  
I will pay attention to the way of integrity.  When will You come to me?  I will live with a heart of integrity in my house.  I will not set anything worthless before my eyes.  I hate the practice of transgression; it will not cling to me.  A devious heart will be far from me; I will not be involved with evil. (vs.2-4)

A leader of integrity is trustworthy because his or her word is genuine and there is no tolerance for evil. Notice David commits to paying attention to “the way of integrity.”  Integrity is not something that occurs by happenstance.  We have to observe and work to apply it.  

Third, David commits to rooting out evil in the land:  
I will destroy anyone who secretly slanders his neighbor; I cannot tolerate anyone with haughty eyes or an arrogant heart . . . No one who acts deceitfully will live in my palace; no one who tells lies will remain in my presence. Every morning I will destroy all the wicked of the land, eliminating all evildoers from the LORD’s city. (vs. 5,7,8)

We don’t have the authority that a king has to eliminate evildoers but in most cases we can identify and punish wrongdoing.  We can establish standards and uphold them. Perhaps the biggest challenge we face as leaders today is living in a society that is rewriting what is considered right and wrong.  Integrity is under assault because the world’s definition is not in alignment with God’s definition.  

Finally, David commits to giving favor to those who are faithful.  “My eyes favor the faithful of the land so that they may sit down with me.  The one who follows the way of integrity may serve me.”  (vs. 6) I am reminded of 1 Corinthians 15:33 which says, “Do not be deceived: ‘Bad company corrupts good morals.’”  Who we spend time with is significant.   Honoring and fellowshipping with those who are righteous is a wise practice.
 
Inspiration
Integrity is the essence of everything successful.—Unknown
 
©2015 Daniel York  ARR. Reveration is the weekly devotional ministry of First Cause.  If you would like to receive these devotionals go to www.firstcause.org and click on the “Click here to receive weekly devotionals” box.  Unlimited permission to copy this devotional without altering text or profiteering is allowed subject to inclusion of this copyright notice.      
 
Ecclesiastes 12:10-The Teacher sought to find delightful sayings and to accurately write words of truth.  (Holman CSB)