Psalm 16: 11 Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.
Often times we will hear people say that God seems so distant in their lives - there is no doubt we have all felt that distance at some point in our walk with Christ. There are a variety of reasons why this happens which would include a physical ailment or sicknes that just drains the strength out of us, or something more serious such as unconfessed sin in our heart. I think a very common reason though is the simple fact that we are forgetful people. We go about the busyness of our daily work and our thoughts are not on the Lord simply because we are focusing on what we are doing - that is not a bad thing. But we also must admit our best days are the days in which we have been in regular communication with the Lord Jesus throughout the day. Personally I like to consider that every thought I think and every word I say is as spoken to the Lord. I also suggest keeping something ( it could be a marble, or a small rock, or cloth etc - whatever you choose) in your pocket to remind yourself that the Lord who loves you is with you at all times. I have done this and what a blessing it is to have such a constant reminder.
I want to look at Psalm 15 and in doing so get a glimpse of what it is to live in God's presence daily and I want to find the answer to the question that is asked in verse 1 of Psalm 15 - Lord, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill?
The question is asking - Lord, what does it take to find favor with You? How can I spend time with You?
The answers follow in the rest of Psalm 15.
Verse 2 - He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart.
At the point of our salvation, we also receive the gift of the Holy Spirit - the abiding presence of the Lord in our heart. So from this point on, the Lord walks with us and enables us to put off the sinful ways of our past and gives us the grace and help we need to live uprightly and be truthful. He commands that we live holy for Him.
1 Peter 1: 15-16 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.
Verse 3 He that backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbour, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbour. The words we speak are to be pure and kind words - not slandering or filthy.
Verse 4 In whose eyes a vile person is contemned; but he honoureth them that fear the Lord. He that sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not. The righteous person hates what God hates and rejects the wicked ways of the enemies of God. Within the pages of the Bible we find what God considers sinful behavior. He is the One who sets the standard - we are the ones who must live accordingly. When God says lying, cheating, gossiping, drunkeness, homosexuality, murder, lust, idolatry, fornication, immorality etc is sin - we agree with God that it is indeed sin. Sin separates us from God so we must rid ourselves of every sin through the cleansing blood of the Lord Jesus Christ which He shed to redeem us to God.
Verse 5 He that putteth not out his money to usury, nor taketh reward against the innocent. He that doeth these things shall never be moved.
A righteous person is a man or woman of his word. You can count on this type of person to do as promised even if keeping the promise requires hard work and brings difficulty. We do not look for a way out.
He that doeth these things shall never be moved. In Christ we are secure not only in this life here on earth but our eternal salvation is also secure. As Christ followers the Lord Jesus is our foundation. Through faith in Him we are saved. Jesus is our Savior. He bore our sin and paid it for us when He was crucified on the cross and died there. He was buried and rose again on the third day. He has promised to return and take us up to be with Him for ever. We eagerly look forward to His return!
Often times we will hear people say that God seems so distant in their lives - there is no doubt we have all felt that distance at some point in our walk with Christ. There are a variety of reasons why this happens which would include a physical ailment or sicknes that just drains the strength out of us, or something more serious such as unconfessed sin in our heart. I think a very common reason though is the simple fact that we are forgetful people. We go about the busyness of our daily work and our thoughts are not on the Lord simply because we are focusing on what we are doing - that is not a bad thing. But we also must admit our best days are the days in which we have been in regular communication with the Lord Jesus throughout the day. Personally I like to consider that every thought I think and every word I say is as spoken to the Lord. I also suggest keeping something ( it could be a marble, or a small rock, or cloth etc - whatever you choose) in your pocket to remind yourself that the Lord who loves you is with you at all times. I have done this and what a blessing it is to have such a constant reminder.
I want to look at Psalm 15 and in doing so get a glimpse of what it is to live in God's presence daily and I want to find the answer to the question that is asked in verse 1 of Psalm 15 - Lord, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill?
The question is asking - Lord, what does it take to find favor with You? How can I spend time with You?
The answers follow in the rest of Psalm 15.
Verse 2 - He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart.
At the point of our salvation, we also receive the gift of the Holy Spirit - the abiding presence of the Lord in our heart. So from this point on, the Lord walks with us and enables us to put off the sinful ways of our past and gives us the grace and help we need to live uprightly and be truthful. He commands that we live holy for Him.
1 Peter 1: 15-16 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.
Verse 3 He that backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbour, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbour. The words we speak are to be pure and kind words - not slandering or filthy.
Verse 4 In whose eyes a vile person is contemned; but he honoureth them that fear the Lord. He that sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not. The righteous person hates what God hates and rejects the wicked ways of the enemies of God. Within the pages of the Bible we find what God considers sinful behavior. He is the One who sets the standard - we are the ones who must live accordingly. When God says lying, cheating, gossiping, drunkeness, homosexuality, murder, lust, idolatry, fornication, immorality etc is sin - we agree with God that it is indeed sin. Sin separates us from God so we must rid ourselves of every sin through the cleansing blood of the Lord Jesus Christ which He shed to redeem us to God.
Verse 5 He that putteth not out his money to usury, nor taketh reward against the innocent. He that doeth these things shall never be moved.
A righteous person is a man or woman of his word. You can count on this type of person to do as promised even if keeping the promise requires hard work and brings difficulty. We do not look for a way out.
He that doeth these things shall never be moved. In Christ we are secure not only in this life here on earth but our eternal salvation is also secure. As Christ followers the Lord Jesus is our foundation. Through faith in Him we are saved. Jesus is our Savior. He bore our sin and paid it for us when He was crucified on the cross and died there. He was buried and rose again on the third day. He has promised to return and take us up to be with Him for ever. We eagerly look forward to His return!
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