GOD IS STILL SEARCHING!

But as for me, I will walk in mine integrity: redeem me, and be merciful unto me" (Psalms 26:11). 

Integrity is at the very heart of the Christian life. Without it, it will be difficult, if not impossible, to have a meaningful relationship and a sustainable walk with God. I wager that you cannot lack integrity and be a true Christian at the same time. Integrity is respect for the truth at all times both in public and in private. It is an unfailing commitment to deal honestly with all and in all. Thus we can say that integrity is that character in a man which makes him dependable, reliable and trustworthy. 

For the Christian, the need to have integrity before God and man cannot be overemphasized. As our passage for further reading makes clear, it is only those who have this shinning quality that can tarry in the presence of God. When God charged Abraham to walk before Him and be perfect or blameless, He was simply demanding for a life of integrity. When Jesus insisted that "you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect" (Matthew 5:48), He was only showing us how indispensable integrity is in our walk with God. 

There are many biblical examples of people who laboured to walk in integrity before God. All the patriarchs and the great saints of old were men and women who laboured to be accepted as persons of integrity before God. Not that any of them was perfect, but their commitment to deal honestly with the Lord, even at great inconvenience was acknowledged. For example, in the midst of a terrible affliction and gruesome trial of faith, the patriarch Job insisted, "till I die I will not remove mine integrity from me" (Job 27:5). 

For many of these saints, their integrity was so 'loud' that God in heaven took notice of it and testified to it. Of Abraham, God said, "for I know him" (Genesis 18:19). God testified to Solomon that David his father walked before Him in integrity of heart and in uprightness, urging Solomon to do same (1 Kings 9:4). Of Job, God boasted to Satan, "Check out my servant Job, there is none like him in the earth. He is a perfect and an upright man, one that fears God, and eschews evil. And in spite of all the calamities that have befallen him, he still holds fast his integrity" (Job 2:3, paraphrased). 

We should all be challenged by the integrity of men like Abraham, David and Job. God knew them and was sure of what they would do and would not do. God could predict Abraham's next move and what his response to an impending matter would be. It is unfortunate that for many of us, God does not really know us. We are so hypocritical, insincere, inconsistent and unstable that the Almighty cannot depend on us. He cannot depend on us to be in service, to pray or to live righteously. That must change from today in the name of Jesus Christ. May the Almighty God create in you a heart that will value integrity at all times.