True Worship

“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. 3 Those who refuse to slander others or harm their neighbors or speak evil of their friends. 4 Those who despise persistent sinners, and honor the faithful followers of the Lord and keep their promises even when it hurts. 5 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 15:1-5 NLT).

Psalm 15 begins with a question that should be on all the lips of God’s children–particularly when we come to worship. Yet I find in this generation an almost flippant attitude to worship. Seldom is the question asked, ““Who may worship in your sanctuary, Lord? Who may enter your presence on your holy hill?” Instead the modern questions are, “I wonder if I’m going to get anything out of this today? I wonder if I will like the music today?” Many seem to have forgotten that worship isn’t about them, it’s about God.

True worship cannot be had in a Sunday morning service. True worship begins in the heart and is reflected through the life. Isn’t that what David, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, is saying? Look at the text above once again. “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. 3 Those who refuse to slander others or harm their neighbors or speak evil of their friends. 4 Those who despise persistent sinners, and honor the faithful followers of the Lord and keep their promises even when it hurts. 5 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.”

In our next few thoughts for the days, we will examine the implications of this passage closer. But for today, let us never forget that God places certain conditions upon those who would enter His Holy presence. Let us not forget that, “God does not listen to empty cries, and the Almighty does not take note of it.” (Job 35:13 CSB).