Let integrity and uprightness preserve me; for I wait on Thee.
Resolutions made and strength invoked for a year of duty
What should our memories do for us? If we are really humbled and grateful for the past, what should we resolve on now? We should strive to “grow in grace,” that “love may abound more and more.” How may we realise this desire, for we have many enemies?
1. The first disposition essentially requisite to our success is said to be “integrity and uprightness.” The petition implies that he would be sincere and upright towards God. If we are to be sincere we must correct our own faults. We must cherish those dispositions which God approves. We must try to fulfil our duty better. And we must do all the good we can. We have instances in Scripture of resolutions that were very fruitless. Israel said at Sinai, “All that the Lord hath spoken we will do.” And yet in less than six weeks they were dancing before the Golden Calf. Surely the wreck of many a fair hope in past years may tell us it is not wise to depend on ourselves. The Psalmist says, “For I wait on Thee”--“I look to Thee to sustain that integrity, I look to Thee to bless it, without Thee I can neither continue upright nor secure a blessing from uprightness.” The grace of God alone can enable us to profit by any external advantages. It is God who must help us to conquer even the least fault. It is God alone can help us to walk with any measure of steadfastness in the path of obedience. (Baptist W. Noel, M. A.)
Justice, honesty, truth, and sincerity
Integrity and uprightness are terms of like import, and signify a virtue that is essential to all true religion and morality.
I. The nature of integrity or uprightness in our dealings with men.
1. With respect to our actions; and so it may be taken for justice and honesty, in opposition to injuring and cheating. It is very dishonest to borrow money or goods, or to trade upon credit, without upright designs and fair prospects of paying everyone his own.
2. With respect to our words. This may be taken as truth, in opposition to lying. But to understand a lie there are moral distinctions that must be attended to. The wrong of falsehood consists in knowing or thinking one thing and saying another with an intent to deceive. There are lies which men call ludicrous, but they had better be avoided. Others, called, officious, which are told to hide a fault, or to prevent some mischief. The worst of all is the injurious lie.
II. Recommend this integrity.
1. In its native beauty.
2. For the reality and honour of religion. All religion is mockery, and vain pretence without it.
3. The safety and happiness of all society depend upon it. There is no living with a man of a false heart and tongue.
4. Integrity is of high advantage to ourselves. It prevents abundance of guilt, and many a throbbing wound in the conscience which a contrary temper and behaviour would subject us to. It screens us from the reproach and vengeance of wicked men. This should excite a religious care, upon Christian principles, to exceed the brightest of the heathen in our moral conduct. Let us see that our hearts be made upright by the renewing of our minds. (J. Guise, D. D.)
Integrity
Truthfulness, integrity, and goodness--qualities that hang not on any man’s breath--form the essence of manly character, or, as one of our old writers has it, “that inbred loyalty unto virtue which can serve her without a livery.” He who possesses these qualities, united with strength of purpose, carries with him a power which is irresistible. He is strong to do good, strong to resist evil, and strong to bear up under difficulty and misfortune. When Stephen of Colonna fell into the hands of his base assailants, and they asked him in derision, “Where is now your fortress?” “Here,” was his bold reply, placing his hand upon his heart. It is in misfortune that the character of the upright man shines forth with the greatest lustre; and when all else fails, he takes his stand upon his integrity and his courage. (Christian Weekly.)