Corona Devo 966

Wouldn't it be nice if God gave us a check-list for living-for-Him?  A few simple but concrete tips that could be the outline for our days and the pattern for our years as we seek to glorify God Almighty.

Something understandable and manageable, like:

  • Sing "Hallelujah" twenty times a day.
  • Read three Bible verses a day.
  • Empty the dishwasher.
  • Take out the trash.
Wouldn't it be nice if God spelled it out that simply?

He does.  

His Holy Bible is one big book of simple but concrete tips to outline our days and pattern our years as we seek to live our lives for Him.

But in Psalm 15 God does write us out a check-list.  For those of us that prefer specifics instead of parables...here we go.

Psalm 15  A psalm of David. 

(1) Who may worship in your sanctuary, Lord?  Who may enter your presence on your holy hill?  ~Psalm 15:1

David wondered, just as we all wonder...who can be worthy of You, Lord?  How do we get from our (sinful) "here" to Your (holy) "there?

And then God lays out today's checklist for getting from "here" to "there".  For those of us that need an action-plan, this is it:

(2) Those who lead blameless lives and do what is right, speaking the truth from sincere hearts.  ~Psalm 15:2

Heavenly Father, "blameless" is a big and deep word, but we praise You because You do not stop at calling us to be blameless...You proceed to define the parameters of living that out, including speaking the truth from sincere hearts (Psalm 15:2).  

Father, open our eyes to Your Truth and make us bold in speaking it.  Guard our minds and lips from speaking insincere, shallow, or self-gratifying truth, and today help us to speak the truth from sincere hearts (Psalm 15:2).  Amen.

(3) Those who refuse to gossip or harm their neighbors or speak evil of their friends.  ~Psalm 15:3

Lord, sometimes the morsel is just-so-juicy, but may we refuse to gossip today.  Place a muzzle over our sinful desire to fan-the-rampant-flames of unproven ideas or tales.  May we (in Your strength) refuse to gossip/harm our neighbors/or speak evil of our friends today, Lord.  

You know that the winds-will-change tomorrow and we will regret or become better-informed, and so save us from slander today, Father.  Amen.

(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

Those who despise flagrant sinners... ~Psalm 15:4

Lord, Your Word identifies Your Law, Your plan, Your will, and Your creation.  We did not define the boundaries of sin--You did.  But today guard our hearts against the status-quo and may we be emboldened by the reminder of  who may enter your presence on your holy hill.  It is not "those who accept and allow all things", it is those who despise flagrant sinners.  God of Creation, we can no longer pretend/accept/dismiss what you have determined to be impermissible. Make us strong in Your Word and Your stances today.  Amen. 

Those who...honor the faithful followers of the Lord...  ~Psalm 15:4

Almighty Father, You have given us Biblical role-models of the Faith.  We seek Your Scriptures and find people just like us that lived their lives to be just-like-You.  Today we will honor the faithful followers of the Lord and seek to be more like them in being more like You.  

Beyond the Bible, open our eyes to faithful followers of the Lord in our midst and in our lives.  We praise You for real people that we know who are faithful followers of You.  Feeding the hungry, fathering the fatherless, embracing the broken and doing-the-hard: all in faithful obedience to You.  We honor the faithful followers of the Lord in our circles today.  We praise You for them!  Amen.

Those who...keep their promises even when it hurts.  ~Psalm 15:4

Lord, make us strong today.  Thank you for those who endure faithfully...in sickness and in health.  Thank you for those with honor, who will not cave to position/favor/pleasure and who keep their promises even when it hurts.  God, we are grateful for the role-models in life and Scripture who maintained integrity and demonstrated righteousness in keeping their promises to You and in Your honor.  Help us to keep our promises even when it hurts today.  Amen.

(5)  Those who lend money without charging interest, and who cannot be bribed to lie about the innocent.   ~Psalm 15:5

Righteous Lord, Thank you for reminding us that right and wrong is not (ever) a gray area.  There is a right way (Yours!) and there is a wrong/compromised/deceitful/sinful way.  If we choose unrighteousness, then we cannot worship in your sanctuary or enter your presence on your holy hill (Psalm 15:1).  And WE WANT TO, Father.  Please help us today to make Your business-practices our business.  Amen.
~~~
Now that we have located (and studied) a few simple but concrete tips to outline our days and pattern our years as we seek to glorify God Almighty...then what would be the outcome of following these guidelines?

In other words, living God's way leads to which way?

And if there were such people (such as us!) striving to be such people, then where can we expect to stand with God?

Such people will stand firm forever.  ~Psalm 15:5

~~~

If we didn't have an outline, we couldn't have an outcome.  But with Psalm 15 we have both:

(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.  ~Psalm 15:1-5

Wouldn't it be nice if God spelled it out that simply?  
He does.  

Blessings,

sarah

https://sarahsundy04.blogspot.com

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