SCRIPTURE: Psalm 15/Psalm 16
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
LORD, who may dwell in your sanctuary? Who may live on your holy hill? [Psalm 15:1] The sorrows of those will increase who run after other gods. [Psalm 16:4]. The question is not ‘who is allowed to” be close to God in His presence (sanctuary, holy hill). The question is rather who can endure or remain in God’s presence. Psalm 15 does not contain a list of requirements which must be met before God will allow us close to Him. Rather, these are the kinds of things that jeopardize and ruin our close relationship with God, and with others for that matter. The ‘sins’ listed here are relationship killers, as many people discover on a daily basis. Those who allow this things to reign in their lives end up being miserable.
Think of Judas and Jesus. It was not that Judas just broke a few rules; he betrayed a friend – and not just any friend . Think about it. He was in the presence of God in the flesh; in OT language he was dwelling in, or living in, the sanctuary, the holy place. But something interfered with that relationship. Greed, disappointment, selfishness, betrayal, etc, these are qualities that ruin relationships. And look at the result: When Judas, who had betrayed him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was seized with remorse and returned the thirty silver coins to the chief priests and the elders. ‘I have sinned,’ he said, ‘for I have betrayed innocent blood.’ ‘What is that to us?’ they replied. ‘That’s your responsibility.’ So Judas threw the money into the temple and left. Then he went away and hanged himself. [Matthew 27:3-5]
Our sin does not just make God mad, it breaks His heart. It causes Him pain and sorrow [Genesis 6:5-6]. His anger increases as He sees the impact of sin on all of creation, on relationships. He sees those who are oppressed, mistreated, abused, neglected. This is what makes God angry. This is what keeps people from experiencing God’s closeness, God’s loving presence.
When I allow sinful attitudes or behaviours to linger in my life, I strain my relationship with the Lord, and I increase my sorrow. But when I strive with His help to stop them, I strengthen my relationship and increase my joy. Its not an instant thing – I do not experience separation from God instantly, I do not instantly experience the sorrow; nor do I experience God’s full presence or the resulting joy fully or instantly. It is a direction. I move closer to, or farther way from, the experience of His presence and love.
How will I move closer to the Lord today?
PRAYER:
Lord, I want to know the joy of Your presence more and more!
I am always in His presence. I need to be GodStrong and therefore LiveStrong. And as I live in His presence I must walk in His Light and Truth. It is only in His power that I am able to walk in the Way because He is the Way, the Truth and the Light. Apart from Him I can do nothing. He is the I AM – my Lord and My God and in Him I can do all things! The Lord my God will direct my footsteps and makes known to me the road of Life. I may continue my journey in joy beacuase He is always with me – He is my right hand – and therefor I am more than a conqueror. I am a Jesus follower – His disciple – living in His presence today and always – and He makes me strong.
The joy of the Lord is my strength,
the joy of the Lord is my strength,
The joy of the Lord is my strength,
the joy of the Lord is my strength.
He heals the broken hearted and they cry no more,
He heals the broken hearted and they cry no more.
He heals the broken hearted and they cry no more,
the joy of the Lord is my strength.
He gives me living water and I thirst no more,
He gives me living water and I thirst no more.
He gives me living water and I thirst no more,
the joy of the Lord is my strength.