Corona Devo 200
It's easy to see our own side of an argument, but as I prayed for some guidance, God gently reminded me that although I was pointing a finger at someone else, that left 4 other fingers pointing back at me.
We can't change anyone else or their stances but we can re-examine our position. Not our position in the disagreement, but our position before Christ.
1 Who may worship in your sanctuary, Lord?
Who may enter your presence on your holy hill?
2 Those who lead blameless lives and do what is right,
speaking the truth from sincere hearts.
3 Those who refuse to gossip
or harm their neighbors
or speak evil of their friends.
4 Those who despise flagrant sinners,
and honor the faithful followers of the Lord,
and keep their promises even when it hurts.
5 Those who lend money without charging interest,
and who cannot be bribed to lie about the innocent.
Such people will stand firm forever.
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1 Who may worship in your sanctuary, Lord? Who may enter your presence on your holy hill? ~Psalm 15:1
"Worshiping God" and "entering His presence" are holy moments and divine appointments that God wants to set with each one of us. They will (probably) not occur in a famous stained-glass cathedral or on top of Mount Sinai (where God gave Moses the 10 commandments).
"Worshiping in the Lord's sanctuary" and "entering His presence on His holy hill" can occur for us anywhere, if our hearts are in the right place with Jesus. And indeed, the Lord longs to commune with us everywhere in our lives.
But how do we prepare for connecting with God? What is the exercise regimen for getting our spiritual selves in shape for living a life for Christ?
2 Those who lead blameless lives and do what is right, speaking the truth from sincere hearts.
Whooo-wee, David kicks it off with a tall order! There is no mincing of words here, and God calls us to standout and stand up for Him. I see these listed characteristics as ideals that we can ever-strive for in our Christian walks of faith. There can be no actual obtainment of them, but we can continually strive to draw nearer to Christ's criterion by challenging ourselves (and seeking God's help!) on living more blamelessly, doing what is right ,and speaking truth from a sincere heart.
3 Those who refuse to gossip or harm their neighbors or speak evil of their friends. ~Psalm 15:3
At first glance this sounds easy to "check off", but let's be honest and get real with ourselves. Who hasn't verbally stabbed some in the back or heard a story/opinion/post and then shared it as first-hand truth with others, even without any validation of truth? I have. And God tells us to refuse to do it.
"Harming our neighbors" seems extreme, but we had better check our hearts: we get angry when we are mistreated, misunderstood or pre-judged. Are any of my thoughts or actions harmful toward others (neighbors)? Regardless of the situation, God says "No".
And speaking evil of our friends includes sports sidelines, texts and Facebook. Why in the world DO I say half of the things that I do? I see it with our daughter and her 9-year-old friends circle: they gather and gossip and then have to make-up because of hurtful words. But what are we doing as adults? Often the very same cycle runs its course through our friendships and families. Let's spare ourselves the break-ups and make-ups and grow out of the spiritual immaturity that spawns such talk. As we grow IN Christ and closer TO Christ, our words will become more like His. There will be less gossip, harm and evil-speak and more patience, kindness and love.
4 Those who despise flagrant sinners, and honor the faithful followers of the Lord, and keep their promises even when it hurts. ~Psalm 15:4
God's word can be difficult to discern sometimes, but I think He encourages us to see with "spiritual eyes" sometimes. While we are called to "love thy neighbor", God also warns us to separate our hearts and lives from "flagrant sinners". The risk of being hurt is real, and if someone is running away from God, we can be injured if we step in their kamikaze path. In contrast however, look around your life and honor the faithful followers of the Lord, and keep their promises even when it hurts. I pray that we have brothers and sisters in Christ in our lives, and if so--take care of them! Relationships take time and effort and these "faithful followers" are worth it! Invest in people that will grow you in Christ, and let's continue to strengthen the family of God.
5 Those who lend money without charging interest, and who cannot be bribed to lie about the innocent. ~Psalm 15:5
Even if we are not bankers, these words of living with integrity and honesty will uphold our relationships. Even when we are sure no one is watching...what are we doing? What are we saying? What are we thinking?
As I ruminate on these ideas, I am convicted. I hope you are too. Jesus revealing our shortcomings to us so that we can draw nearer to Him and to living for Him. It's hard. But it is good. And His reward is eternal.
Such people will stand firm forever. ~Psalm 15:5
There is no other way that I want to stand, how about you?
I pray that today we will open our eyes to the real arguments occurring in our lives. We can't change anyone else or their stances but we can re-examine our position. Not our position in the disagreement, but our position before Christ.
Blessings,
sarah
https://sarahsundy04.blogspot.com
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