Compiled By: Lisa K Gonzales
Source: The Life Application Study Bible
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.” ~ Psalm 15:1-2
Sanctuary and holy hill – are interchangeable words describing the focal point of Israelite worship – the dwelling place of GOD.
GOD calls HIS people to be morally upright, and, in this psalm, HE gives us 10 standards to determine how we are doing. – 3 “Those who refuse to slander others or harm their neighbors or speak evil of their friends. 4 Those who despise persistent sinners, and honor the faithful followers of the LORD and keep their promises even when it hurts. 5 Those who do not charge interest on the money they lend, and who refuse to accept bribes to testify against the innocent. – Such people will stand firm forever.” – Psalm 15:3-5 – We live among evil people whose standards and morals are eroding. Our standards for living should not come from our evil society but from GOD.
Words are powerful and how we use them reflects on our relationship with GOD. Perhaps nothing so identifies Christians as their ability to control their speech – speaking the truth, refusing to slander, and keeping oaths. – As for lending money, GOD was against the Jews’ charging interest or making a profit on loans to needy, fellow Jews. – “If you lend money to a fellow Hebrew in need, do not be like a money lender, charging interest.” – Exodus 22:25 – GOD insisted that the poor and powerless be treated well and given the chance to restore their fortunes. We should reflect GOD’s concern for the poor by helping those less fortunate than ourselves. – However – charging interest on loans to foreigners was allowed. – “You may charge interest to foreigners, but not to Israelites, so the LORD your GOD may bless you in everything you do in the land you are about to enter and occupy.” – Deuteronomy 23:20 – Interest was also allowable for business purposes, as long as it was not exorbitant (excessive). – “A person who makes money by charging interest will lose it. It will end up in the hands of someone who is kind to the poor.” – Proverbs 28:8
Some people are so obsessed with money that they will change their GOD-given standards and lifestyle to get it. If money is a controlling force in our lives, it must be curbed, or it will harm others and destroy our relationship with GOD.
Father, YOU insist that the poor and powerless be treated well. We want to reflect YOUR concern for the poor by helping those less fortunate than ourselves. Some people are so obsessed with money that they will change their GOD-given standards and lifestyle to get it. If money is a controlling force in our lives, help us LORD, to curb it so that we will not harm others and destroy our relationship with YOU. We also ask LORD, that YOU will help us to control our hearts. For we know that wherever our heart is we will follow. We know we live in a fallen world with people whose standards and morals are eroding. We know our words are powerful and how we use them reflects on our relationship with YOU, Father GOD. We acknowledge that there is nothing that identifies us as Christians as our ability to control our speech – speaking the truth, refusing to slander, and keeping oaths. Help us LORD to learn YOUR standards for living so that we will stand firm forever.
Photo: Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupre’ (Quebec, Canada)
Photographer: Lisa K Gonzales
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