The God Pause Daily Devotional from The Luther Seminary in Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States for Tuesday, August 28, 2018 Psalm 15

The God Pause Daily Devotional from The Luther Seminary in Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States for Tuesday, August 28, 2018 Psalm 15

Psalm 15:1 (0) A psalm of David:
(1) Adonai, who can rest in your tent?
Who can live on your holy mountain?
2 Those who live a blameless life,
who behave uprightly,
who speak truth from their hearts
3 and keep their tongues from slander;
who never do harm to others
or seek to discredit neighbors;
4 who look with scorn on the vile,
but honor those who fear Adonai;
who hold to an oath, no matter the cost;
5 who refuse usury when they lend money
and refuse a bribe to damage the innocent.
Those who do these things
never will be moved. (Complete Jewish Bible).Imagine if the greeters in your church employed this litmus test each Sunday upon your arrival. Did you speak truthfully this week? Did you avoid slandering and finger pointing at your neighbors? Did you keep all your promises, even when it hurt? Were all your dealings with money just and not for personal gain at someone else's expense?
Psalm 15 tells us two things: one, that these expressions of neighbor-love, most of which turn on truthfulness and honesty, are deeply important for a people called to holiness; and, two, we're going to need a different way into God's presence than our own track record. Might you know a "high priest" (Hebrews 4:15) with the right qualifications for entry?
Lord Jesus, to be honest, I haven't dealt truthfully with my neighbors, and I don't belong on any holy hills unless you say that I do. Thank you for saying that I do by calling me your friend. Amen.

Mark D. Williamson, '05

Pastor, Grace Lutheran Church, Dodgeville, Wis.

Psalm 15:1 O Lord, who may abide in your tent? Who may dwell on your holy hill?
2 Those who walk blamelessly, and do what is right, and speak the truth from their heart;
3 who do not slander with their tongue, and do no evil to their friends, nor take up a reproach against their neighbors;
4 in whose eyes the wicked are despised, but who honor those who fear the Lord; who stand by their oath even to their hurt;
5 who do not lend money at interest, and do not take a bribe against the innocent. Those who do these things shall never be moved. (New Revised Standard Version).

THE LUTHER SEMINARY ®

2481 Como Avenue

Saint Paul, Minnesota 55108, United States

Telephone: (651)641-3456

***