Who Shall Abide in God’s Sanctuary?

A Psalm of David.

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.

via Psalm 15 (NRSV) – Biblia.com.

Who doesn’t like a good shortcut? Shortcuts help us to get where we want to be, only faster right? Usually that’s the case. It doesn’t matter if it is while taking a trip, doing our taxes, or any other task, a shortcut saves time, energy, and sometimes money. No wonder we always want to find a shortcut!

The old joke is that shortcuts usually have unintended consequences. We take the shortcut to our destination and find we have to go over a very dilapidated bridge, or some road that is in such disarray that it causes damage to our vehicle. We take shortcuts in doing everyday activities and discover that we have done something wrong and have to go back and redo everything. Sometimes shortcuts can turnout to be a bad option.

David reflects on the type of person who remains in God’s presence. As I read through his list, I realize, there are not any shortcuts. Those abiding with God are those who don’t slander, take bribes, or do evil. They do what is right and walk blamelessly before God. They even stand by their oath to their hurt. Basically, they don’t take the easy way out. They are not concerned with what is practical or expedient. Instead, those who abide with God, follow him. They honor him with their lives.

In an age that seems to believe that our actions don’t matter and that wants to take the easy way out, this is a difficult message. We choose to save face rather than honoring God no matter what the cost. Perhaps it is time to realize that if we want to abide with God, our lives must reflect and honor God’s ways. Those who do “shall never be moved.”