Read Psalm 15
Psalm 15 is one of David's liturgical psalms. After meditating on the coming Redeemer and the joy He would bring to His people, David wanted to be certain the people of Israel were following God's ways and living a righteous life.
This righteous life was not one of piety, but a life of truth and justice and a real passion for goodness and holiness. These are what would give God a `happy heart'. As a teenager, in Youth Group, I had the reputation of being a `goody goody'. I had this verse in Psalm 15 highlighted in my bible, as it was a priority in my life to be obedient to God and to live in integrity and righteousness. It didn't make me a lot of friends, but it kept me safe in the arms of God, and gave me strength to face some difficult times ahead.
"Who may stay in your tent? Who may live on your holy mountain? The one who walks in integrity, does what is righteous, and speaks the truth within his heart." Psalm 15:1&2 (GWT)
"Seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness and all these things will be given to you as well."
Matthew 6:33 (NLT)
1. What is the difference between living a `pious life' and a life of `integrity and righteousness'?
GOD IS WAITING FOR YOU.
Read Psalm 1:1
What does it mean to stay in God's `holy tent', to live on his `holy mountain'? Does it me literally that if we are good enough we can go to Church, or as it was in David's time, in the `sanctuary of God's presence'?
In the time of David the `holy tent' was indeed a place where the people of Israel would go to meet with the Lord. The holy mountain was where David hoped Solomon would build a temple for the Lord. Both of these places represented a meeting place for God and His people.
For us today, some people still believe they can only meet God in the Church building or sanctuary. But it is God's desire that we meet Him anywhere and at anytime - in our homes, at school, at work, maybe when we are taking a walk and simply enjoying God's creation. What He wants from most of us is that we simply SEEK HIS PRESENCE.
I like the New Living Translation Version and the The Message has an interesting take on it too:
"Who may WORSHIP in your sanctuary Lord? Who may enter your PRESENCE on your holy hill? Psalm 15: 1 (NLT)
"God, who get's invited to dinner at your place? How do we get on your guest list?" (THE MESSAGE)
Worship and communion are two opportunities we have to be in the special presence of the Lord, but this doesn't always have to be in the confines of a Church building on Sunday. We can worship and commune with God in His presence every day - He is always WAITING FOR YOU.
2. Do you currently have this kind of experience of fellowship with God?
3. Is there anything that is keeping from having this joyous fellowship?
IS YOUR HEART READY FOR HIM?
Read Psalm 15:2-5
How does one walk in integrity and righteousness?
1) It starts with a SINCERE FAITH and a DESIRE TO LIVE A LIFE OF INTEGRITY AND RIGHTEOUSNESS. There are two songs that have touched my life this week. They were written by a young man who is endeavouring to live his faith, at times like Stephen, who was willing to take a stand and to give his life as he takes a `STAND' for Christ. (Acts 7). And then at other times, he just lives his life of integrity and sincere faith and others see it and want to know more. He tells them He is `SAVED AND FREE'.
"I'm saved and free, saved and free
By His grace and his glory, I'm saved and free.
Doesn't matter the trial, doesn't matter to me,
By the precious blood of Jesus, I am saved and free."
(2 Corinthians 6:1, Galatians 5:1) (Denver & the Mile High Orchestra)
Stephen: "I will stand for you because you died for me
I'll lay down my life for the world to see.
That your power is real, that your love is true
You died for me, Jesus you died for me, I'll stand for you."
Jesus: "I will stand for you because you died for me.
I'll open the heavens for the world to see.
That my power is real, that my love is true.
You died for me, Stephen, you died for me, I'll stand for you."
Denver: "In the midst of persecution, when it means that I must stand alone,
If I'm worth dying for, then you're worth living for.
So I give you my heart, I give you my soul.
Will you give Jesus you heart, will you stand?" (Acts 7)
(Denver & the Mile High Orchestra)
2) BE HONEST, JUST AND FAIR in you dealings with all people, especially when it comes to business. Put a good concience above the desire for wealth and any unjust practices. Our activities are to be clear of compromise, not merely law abiding, but above reproach.
"Such people speak the truth from their hearts and do not tell lies to others. They do charge interest on money they lend and do not take money to hurt innocent people." Psalm 15:2b & 5 (NCV)
3) DO GOOD TO YOUR NEIGHBOURS AND FRIENDS. Do not listen to or spread gossip. Think the best of everyone and the worst of no one.
* Is it confidential? If so, never mention it.
* Is it true? This may take some investigation.
* Is it necessary? Do many words are useless.
* Is it true? Does it serve a wholesome purpose.
Charles Swindoll.
"Those who refuse to gossip or harm their neighbours or speak evil of their friends." Psalm 15:3 (NLT)
"They keep their promises to their neighbours even when it hurts." Psalm 15:4b (NCV)
"Watch the way you talk. Let nothing foul or dirty come out of your mouth. Say only what helps, each word is a gift." Ephesians 4:29 (The Message)
4) VALUE PEOPLE BY THEIR GOODNESS AND GODLINESS, not by how they look to the world. On Sunday I had the blessing of being able to pray with a man who had a severe mental illness - a man who the world, and at first, because of fear, I may have shunned. But through circumstances of my own, not only could I now reach out with empathy, but I am now able to love unconditionally.
"We must honour those who honour the Lord." Psalm 15:4b (ICB)
"Don't judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The Lord doesn't see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart."
1 Samuel 16:7
For the sake of evangelism, though we will at times cultivate friendships with non-Christians, but we need to discern whether such a friendship will effect our own walk with the Lord, for `bad company" can "corrupt good character". (1 Corinthians 15:33) Because we tend to emulate those we spend time with, we need Christlike friends.
4. If you feel secure in knowing you SAVED AND FREE, how will this effect the decisions you make in your everyday life, in regard to relationships with others?
5. Is there a situation where you need more courage to STAND up for your Christ?
CONCLUSION
God's promise at the end of this Psalm was:
"He who does these things will never be shaken." (V5)
Living a life of integrity and righteousness may seem difficult at first, and the Hebrew meaning for `shaken' actually means `insecurity' , which your may feel, especially when we remember that we are sinners by nature. But remember, you are also SAVED AND FREE - and it is because of this salvation and through the power of the Holy Spirit now in you that you have the freedom to live these new lives.
Not only that, but because of this salvation and freedom, we have a deep desire to WANT to live a life of integrity and righteousness - to make a STAND to live and walk as Jesus did. Well I know I do, and I know you too, will want to join me in His presence as we worship and commune in His `holy tent' and on His `holy' mountain', and to bring others into His presence too.
Maxi Lyrics: "Saved & Free", "Stand" (2006) Denver Bierman
You Tube .
God's Word Translation (GWT), (2003) Green Key Publishers
The Bible, New Living Translation (NLT), (1996), Tyndale House Publishers
The Message, (2002) Eugene H Peterson, NavPress
Holy Bible, New Century Version,(NCV) (2003) Max Lucado, Thomas Nelson
International Children's Bible (ICB), (2006) Thomas Nelson
"Living the Psalms" (2012) Charles R Swindoll, Worthy Publishing"
"New Matthew Henry Commentary" , Edited by Martin H Manser.
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