Wednesday, August 13, 2014

To Live On the Holy Mountain (Psalm 15:1-5)



Today's scripture: Psalm 15:1-5

We're going to take a one-day look at a small, but mighty psalm. I usually meditate on either the New King James Version or the New American Standard Bible, but today, I'm going to focus on the Contemporary English Version, a paraphrase I often use to emphasize or explain.

This psalm begins by asking a very important question:

Who may stay in God’s temple
    or live on the holy mountain
    of the Lord?


Honestly, the initial answer to this question is "no one." No person is worthy to stand in God's temple. We are all sinners, and Holy God cannot be in the presence of sin. Ah, but Holy God is also a God of love, and just as we talked about yesterday, He is a God of mercy.

However, the psalmist gives a true and profound answer to his own question: "Only those who obey God and do as they should."

He then goes on to describe what "doing as they should" means: speaking the truth; not spreading gossip; treating others fairly; and not saying cruel things.

Well ... as I read this list, I have to ask myself, "Do I do as I should? Do I do—or not do—these things?" I certainly try, but I often fail.

Then I read on. One who obeys God also shows respect for "all who worship the
Lord." She also "keeps her promises, no matter the cost."

Hmmm ...

Convicted much?

I want to be a woman whom God looks at with pleasure, with pride. I want my Abba to smile when He sees my actions. I want to be one who obeys God and His word. I want to do all those things listed above.

And so I pray for strength to be Christ-like, for conviction when I fail.

Because, more than anything, I want one day "to live on the holy mountain of the
Lord."

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