In God's House

Read Psalms 1, 14, 15, 36, 37, 39
 
Psalm 15:1-2 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.  
 
DAVID and his army have just captured Jerusalem. They have ascended to Mt. Zion, the highest point on the city, where David wants to establish a place to worship God. He is aware of God’s commands regarding worship and what is needed to be acceptable in God’s sight. So he asked a practical question, “Who, God, can enter into our house and worship you?”  By God’s rule, only priests could enter and David, the king, could not.
   The answer is summarized in verse 2: Those who lead blameless lives and do what is right, speaking the truth from sincere hearts.  
   Does anyone qualify? The Bible tells us no one is blameless. Our nature is to do what is wrong. Surely, too, there are days when our hearts are not sincere.
   To be blameless is to have a desire to obey God – to be righteous. This is the core of being present with God. It does not mean we are without sin, but it does point us to be very purposeful about our life within God’s laws. A blameless person obeys with a servant heart. Aware of his sins, he repents to continually strive for a more blameless life with God. In contrast, those who are hypocrites, speaking one way and living another, are not acceptable to God. The LORD wants your heart to be directed toward him, so you will do what’s right. You will speak and live in God’s truth.
   In the remaining verses are the traits of a God-centered life: 1) refusing to gossip 2) protecting, not harming neighbors 3) speaking well of friends 4) rejecting flagrant sinners 5) honoring the LORD’s faithful followers 6) keeping even difficult promises 7) lending money without charging interest 8) refusing to lie about the innocent.
   Such people will stand firm forever. These are the people God will welcome into his house. We don’t have to be perfect to worship God. We do need to have a heart that desires him. Jesus said it this way: Matthew 5:8 God blesses those whose hearts are pure, for they will see God.