relationships (Psalm 15:1-5) Aligning Our Desires

(Psalm 15:1-5)    Lord, who may reside in Your tent?

     Who may settle on Your holy hill?
2   One who walks with integrity, practices righteousness,
     And speaks truth in his heart.
3   He does not slander with his tongue,
     Nor do evil to his neighbor,
     Nor bring shame on his friend;
4   A despicable person is despised in his eyes,
     But he honors those who fear the Lord;
     He takes an oath to his own detriment, and does not change;
5   He does not lend his money at interest,
     Nor does he take a bribe against the innocent.
     One who does these things will never be shaken.

TODAY'S THOUGHTS AND MEDITATION:

Verses 3-5 is not a list of do's and don'ts in order to get to heaven.  These are the things that someone who has been born again through Jesus' free gift of salvation will want to do because we love the Lord.  And as we get to know God better, through studying His word and seeing Him work in our lives, we will be more and more willing and eager to trust and obey.  We will desire to embrace His wisdom and guidance, and rely on His strength and love in every aspect of our lives, so that we will walk in integrity and practice righteousness.

Who can be with God in heaven, but the one who has accepted the Lord as their Savior.  And our faith, belief and trust will be evident by what we say and do.  This includes, firstly, how we see ourselves in the Lord's kingdom.  The end of verse 4 demonstrates how we are to deny ourselves, pick up our cross and follow Jesus.  

Just for example: God's will is that marriage is between a man and a woman (both believers), and sex is only to be enjoyed within the marriage.  There will be temptations and desires that go against God's will, which in the moment might feel like it is a detriment - but it only feels like that to one's sinful nature.  The verse tells us to hold on!  Remain steadfast, because God has something far better for us!

Verse 5 demonstrates how we are not to love money or power.  If we do, this will impact us in making decisions that are very wrong and hurtful.  Selfishness, pride and greed puts us in first place.  God should come first, and then, we are to consider others as more important than ourselves.  When we do this, then what we say and do for others will be done in God's love and compassion.  When we do this, we will not be impressed with those who sin and even brag about it, but we will align ourselves with people who are also godly.  In this, we can encourage and build up one another in the Lord, which will help keep our desires righteous!