April 16, 2023 -- Psalm 15 -- The Psalm Series: Worship at great cost

People loved by the Father, in the Spirit's power: Sh'ma ~ hear and obey Jesus!

A Psalm of David.

15 O LORD, who shall sojourn in your tent?
    Who shall dwell on your holy hill?

2 He who walks blamelessly and does what is right
    and speaks truth in his heart;
3 who does not slander with his tongue
    and does no evil to his neighbor,
    nor takes up a reproach against his friend;
4 in whose eyes a vile person is despised,
    but who honors those who fear the Lord;
who swears to his own hurt and does not change;
5 who does not put out his money at interest
    and does not take a bribe against the innocent.
He who does these things shall never be moved.

Psalm 15 ESV

It is Sunday. Those who are inclined to go to join with God’s people are getting prepared. There will be thoughts on what to eat before going and gathering with other Christians. There will be questions on what to wear. Perhaps some will wonder if there is enough time to go and get back before the family supper, or the game, or other events deemed important.

I wonder how many people are asking the most important question. The same question as did David—the writer of this Psalm? How many people are asking themselves if their walk is blameless? How many are asking: “have I done evil to my neighbour or expressed strong disapproval of my friend so that the relationship is fractured? How many are asking "who can sojourn" who can stay for a time with the LORD of Glory?

In Matthew 5 Jesus taught “if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift” (Matthew 5:23-24ESV). It is a great privilege to worship the Father and one must worship Him in the fear of the LORD after having examined his own heart.

David is a man whose sins are well-documented in the Bible. What is also well-documented are his confessions. He confessed his sins. When he did not, his hard heart was humbled by his prophet, Nathan, whom the LORD had sent to confront him. The sacrifices David offered on the altar, sin offerings, all pointing to Jesus Christ. In Christ our sins are forgiven. In Christ we have the open path to being reconciled to God and then being reconciled to one another. This is not cheap grace. Jesus Christ lived a perfect life. No sin was found in Him. He became for us the Lamb of God Who takes away the sin of the world. Our sins were put on Him and His blamelessness was credited to us.

Before you go into the house of God, what do you need to make right with God? With your brother, your wife, your neighbour, or your friend?

Our Father in heaven hallowed be Your Name. Thank You for the work of Jesus in Whom we are reconciled to You by His death and through Whom we are presented to You as holy and blameless, above reproach1. Spirit of the Living God let Your Word penetrate deep into our heart, conscience and mind so that we will confess whatever hinders our walk with the Father thereby denying the Devil a foothold, and keeping the unity of peace among the family of God. Forgive us for our thoughtless worship and our worshipless thoughts. Renew a right spirit in us so that we will be the holy and blameless people You call us to be through the sacrifice of Jesus and this in the power of the Spirit. Amen.

1 from Colossians 1:22

https://youtu.be/UaSn2f2ejPM Henry Purcell “Remember Not, Lord, our Offences”

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