READ:
Psalms 15-17
Psalm 15 is a very practical Psalm. It clearly
teaches what it looks like to live a holy life. It starts with a simple
question: Who can live in the presence of God? The easy answer is anyone who is
holy. But what does that look like? How can we know if we fit the bill?
The Psalmist lays it out for us very simply. Those
who stay away from sin and do good. Those whose speech is holy. Those who
despise sinners and honor God’s people. Those who keep their promises even when
it hurts and handle their money according to God’s principles. Wow! He makes it
clear that holiness is a whole life activity. It’s not a Sunday morning event,
but a practical, day-in and day-out way of living, thinking, speaking, working
and behaving.
An apt title for Psalm 16 might be ‘An Example of
Humility’. The Psalmist makes it clear from the beginning that apart from Him
he has nothing good. Everything good comes from God. Not only that, the
Psalmist decides he will accept as good all that God gives him. He chooses to
delight in the saints. He accepts God’s location for his home and the financial
security He has, not as his own planning and ability, but God’s direct gift to
him. He acknowledges it is the Lord who speaks to him and gives him wisdom. It
seems from this passage that not only does the Lord speak to him but the
Psalmist also listens for Him. This kind
of relationship of humility toward the Lord gives him security and rest. There
is no drive to succeed that will burn him out. There is no fear for losing
everything, because even if he does, he knows full well that eternity is full
of pleasures for him. What a beautiful life his is!
Psalm 17 brings back the theme of holiness in verse
3-5. What a challenge! The Psalmist gives a challenge and invitation to God: Go ahead and test me God, but you will find
nothing. How many of us would feel confident to say this to the Lord? What
if we lived every moment of every day in such a way we could?!
JOURNALING
AND PRAYER
1. Ask God to evaluate your lifestyle and to speak to
you about one area He would like you to work on. Write down what He says.
Confess any sin and invite Him to give you strategies on how to move forward.
2. Write a prayer of thankfulness for all the good
things God has placed in your life. Spend time in worship and praise.
3. Invite God into your day to speak to you as the day
goes on about how you are living. Ask Him to point out areas you are growing,
doing well and that need improvement. Thank Him that by the power of Christ in
you, you can live in confidence, power and holiness of Christ.
