May integrity and uprightness preserve me, for I wait for you. (Psalm 25:21)

It is a great thing for a soul not only to wait upon God but to be filled with such a consciousness that it’s whole spirit and position is that of a waiting one-that it can, in childlike confidence, say, “Lord, Thou knowest I wait on Thee.” It will prove a mighty plea in prayer, giving ever-in erasing boldness of expectation to claim the promise, “They that wait on Me shall not be ashamed.”

If we draw nigh to God, it must be with a true heart. There must be perfect integrity, wholeheartedness, in our dealing with God. As we read in Psalm 26, “Judge me O Lord; for I have walked in mine integrity….As for me, I walk in mine integrity.”(Psalm 26:1,11)-there must be perfect uprightness or single-heartedness before God. The soul must know that it allows nothing sinful, nothing doubtful. If we are indeed to meet the Holy One and receive His full blessing, it must be with a heart wholly and singly given up to His will.

The whole spirit that animates us in the waiting must be, “Let integrity and uprightness”-Thou seest that I desire to come so to Thee, Thou knowest I am looking to Thee to work them perfectly in me-let them “preserve me, for I wait on Thee.”

And I’d, as we attempt truly to live the life f fully and always waiting on God, we begin to discover how much that perfect integrity is wanting, this will be one of the blessings which the waiting was meant to work. A soul cannot seek close fellowship with God, or attain consciousness f waiting on Him all the day, without a very honest and entire surrender to His will.

Andrew Murray

Cambridge Dictionary defines integrity as honesty, the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles that you refuse to change. I define integrity as doing the right thing at all times irregardless of the consequences. How we need integrity in our world today. Sometimes integrity will cause one to be seen as naive or “stuck-in-the-mud person. One of my favorite movies is Mr. Smith Goes to Washington. Jimmy Stewart portrays a character that walks in integrity and believes that honesty is the best policy. Throughout the movie we see that position as an object of ridicule. Indeed, I sometimes wonder if the days of integrity and honest are in the past. I grew up in an atmosphere where business was conducted with a spoken word and sealed with a handshake. Those who failed to keep their promise was shunned. If, for example, you were habitually late for appointments, quite often you would lose your business. What a different world we live in now.

The Bible says that God is the same yesterday, today, and forever, so we must approach God the same way as every previous generation has, with integrity. The Bible says that God knows our hearts. I’ve said to people over the years, “You can fool me and others but God knows all and cant be deceived.”

I’ve found especially in my prayer that honesty with God is absolutely necessary. No coverup, no pretense, no hiding behind words, just plain honesty. Sometimes that honesty is painful when I hear myself verbalize feelings and thoughts that are shameful and sinful. I really don’t want to present myself as that kind of person but in the presence of God, honesty compels me to do so. The beautiful thing about this painful experience is the healing that comes. As I pour out those thoughts and feelings, the Holy Spirit cleanses me and I am released from the bondage of sin. It’s almost like having infection under the skin. If you’ve ever had a splinter that has become infected, you’ll get this. While it’s there it’s painful and the process of getting it out is painful for by this time that place is extremely sore and tender. You almost dread digging it out but once you do, what a relief. In the same way in our approach to God in integrity, as we pour out to Him all those thoughts and feelings, though painful to reveal them, O what healing comes.

The awesome thing about being honest with God is that He never changes His acceptance of us. After all He already knows. So let us approach God with honest, open hearts of integrity as we wait on Him.

Dr. John Thompson