Assembly required, which do you choose?

Psalm 26

1 Of David.
Vindicate me, O LORD, for I have walked in my integrity, and I have trusted in the LORD without wavering.
2 Prove me, O LORD, and try me; test my heart and my mind.
3 For your steadfast love is before my eyes, and I walk in your faithfulness.
4 I do not sit with men of falsehood, nor do I consort with hypocrites.
5 I hate the assembly of evildoers, and I will not sit with the wicked.
6 I wash my hands in innocence and go around your altar, O LORD,
7 proclaiming thanksgiving aloud, and telling all your wondrous deeds.
8 O LORD, I love the habitation of your house and the place where your glory dwells.
9 Do not sweep my soul away with sinners, nor my life with bloodthirsty men,
10 in whose hands are evil devices, and whose right hands are full of bribes.
11 But as for me, I shall walk in my integrity; redeem me, and be gracious to me.
12 My foot stands on level ground; in the great assembly I will bless the LORD.

Thoughts on this Psalm

- David asked the LORD to examine, test his heart and mind. How is your trust in the LORD? Does is waver? Can you ask the LORD to put you to this test?

- GOD's love towards us is steadfast and he is always faithful, but do we believe it?

- Evil and evildoers have thier own assemblies, they steal this idea from GOD. The Devil has his fallen angels (Matt 25:41), the demons also assemble together (luke 11:24-26 and Luke 8:30).

- In verse six David goes around the alter of the LORD. The alter is where sacrifices happen and David is proclaiming sacrifices of Thanksgiving. Hes telling anyone that will listen about GOD's wondrous deeds.

What wondrous things has GOD done in your life? In my life? Are we offering up sacrifices of thanksgiving? Are we proclaiming to all those within ear shot of the alter what GOD has done for us?

- David loves to be in GOD's house, he was looking forward to being with the LORD for eternity. For those that are not looking forward to this, than heaven would definitely be hell for them. GOD won't force anyone to live in his presence. For these ones the outter darkness is waiting. This is where the unrepentant sinner and the bloodthirsty call home.

- In verse ten it qualifies the bloodthirsty men as using evil devices, plans, and they accept bribes. People in places of power or authority, check yourselves, have you ever taken a bribe? The Devil is in the trading business, he is always offering something bright and shiney. Sin wrapped in a pretty package, he will exchange this for power for himself.

He offered it to our first parents, god-like knowledge, with Cain it was acceptance in rejection, he is always ready with a plan, scheme, and a bribe. He is definitely "full of it", full of violence. Ezekiel 28:16 describes him this way — In the abundance of your trade you were filled with violence in your midst, and you sinned; so I cast you as a profane thing from the mountain of God, and I destroyed you, O guardian cherub, from the midst of the stones of fire.

- the Devil, the satan, the old serpent, the dragon, he is definitely "full of it!"

- In verse eleven David is asking the LORD to redeem him and be gracious towards him, which is exactly why Jesus came, to redeem us from all our bad trades. Have you made some bad trades? Jesus can help.

Finally David was looking forward to standing in the great assembly. See revelation 7:9-19

Standing with family, friends, and a saviour that loves him. Is there any better place to be standing?

My prayer is that people would consider early where they want to be standing after thier time on earth is laid down. 

Which assembly do you choose?