The Well
The Well |
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Connecting Hope to the Hurting | |
Saturday
July 12, 2008
Who may worship in your sanctuary, LORD?
Who may enter
your presence on your holy hill?
Those who lead blameless lives and do what
is right,
speaking the truth from sincere hearts.
Those who refuse to
slander others
or harm their neighbors
or speak evil of their
friends.
Those who despise persistent sinners,
and honor the faithful
followers of the LORD
and keep their promises even when
it hurts.
Those who do not charge interest on the money they lend,
and
who refuse to accept bribes to testify against the innocent.
Such people will
stand firm forever.
Psalm 15
Oh, the beauty of a heart turned to God. David's words invite us to draw closer to the Lord, to run towards His Holy hill.
In today's society we are so accustomed to tuning out hurting people ¾ the alcoholic, drug addict, and those who have experienced multiple marriages. Yet, based on these words none of those things are the only things that keep us from experiencing God's presence.
Let us take the time to take a closer look at what living a blameless life means. For too many years I supposed it meant that no one was supposed to be able to look at me and blame me for anything. There again, my eyes were on me. Instead, maybe it is one who doesn't blame others. Maybe that is the point King David is trying to make. Maybe the people who can get close to God are those who speak the truth about themselves with a sincere heart of repentance. Maybe it is the person who doesn't blame others for their circumstances and therefore restrains from slandering them with mindless gossip.
When I wrote this devotional my emotions were really raw (2004), ¾ someone in our own family accused us of something that we didn't even know about. Of course, we forgave them (whoever they were ¾ for whatever it was they accused us of); which, incidentally we never learned.
The major point and emphasis I think we need to look at is keeping our promises even when it hurts. If we could ever get that one right from the get-go the divorce courts would close. Think about it!
Have a great Saturday and get ready to climb the Holy Hill of Worship tomorrow!
Father, bless those who hunger to stop blaming others, themselves, and even You for mistakes of the past today. Help us simply press in to know You more!
