learning
DAILY
Psalm 15:1-5, Lord, who may abide in Your tabernacle? Who may dwell in your holy hill? He who walks uprightly, and works
righteousness, and speaks truth in his heart, he who does not backbite with his
tongue, nor does evil to his neighbor, nor does he take up a reproach against
his friend: in whose eyes a vile person is despised, but he swears to his own
hurt and does not change; He who does not put up money as usury, nor does he
take a bribe against the innocent. He
who does these things shall never be moved.
Do you think you could pass the test to become a citizen of the
United States? It might seem to be a
simple task because you have lived here all your life. However a closer look at this exam shows you
would need to know a lot about the Constitution and history of the United
States. As you have seen in today’s news
both are under great attack by the extremists of the country. There are responsibilities to being a citizen
of this country – voting and following the laws of the land would be a part of
being a good citizen.
David asked the question about the requirements for abiding in God’s
sanctuary and dwelling on God’s holy hill.
Tabernacle and holy hill are interchangeable terms for the dwelling
place of God and are descriptive terms for intimate fellowship with Him. To abide means a temporary condition and to
dwell would be a permanent position. The
Lord answers with requirements that no human being could fulfill; the only One
that could live up to these qualifications is Jesus Christ. So, God sent His Son to be our substitute, to
take our place. Each of us needs to
place our faith in trust in what He did on the cross as our substitute. Then we must live our lives with heaven in
mind. Citizenship in heaven begins while
we live on earth. The last verse of the
Psalm states ”He who does these things
shall never be moved.” In other words
“they will be stable, solid, God-honoring citizens in this world who have
nothing to fear” (David Jeremiah Study Bible).
What are the requirements? “To walk uprightly” or to be blameless,
to live right according to God’s Word.
It can be interpreted as integrity.
“To practice righteousness” is
a fundamental of Old Testament morality and shows one to be right with God and people. “Does
not backbite with his tongue” is
slander. In other words control what you
say. Don’t lie, or gossip or run down
people behind their back. Tell the truth
to show you are trustworthy. “Choose friends wisely” because a vile person cannot be trusted and is not
interested in spiritual things. “Swears to his own hurt” is to keep your
word and the obligations you make. “Who does not put up his money as usury”
is to charge unfair interest on a loan. “Does not take bribes” means just
that. That is quite a list of things
that are required; I am thankful every day that the Lord Jesus Christ took my
place so I can be a citizen of His Kingdom!
I fail every day due to my thoughts, the careless words I speak, and
my failure to live up to God’s Word. I
fail at living up to the above requirements.
Because I fail, 1 John 1:7-9 has become very important to me. I apply it every day to my life and ask you
to consider doing the same. “But if we walk in the light as He is in the
light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His
Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say we have no sin, we deceive
ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins
and to cleanse us from all
unrighteousness.”
Thank You Lord Jesus. All
my praise is Yours!
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