“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).
We began our study of this passage yesterday. The question is, “What are the requirements of worship?” The first requirement is found in verse 2 of our text: “Those who lead blameless lives and do what is right, speaking the truth from sincere hearts.” Is the Psalmist suggesting for a moment that anyone of us can be righteous before God? Did he himself not observe in the preceding chapter, “All have turned aside, they have together become corrupt; there is no one who does good, not even one.” (Psalm 14:3 NIV)?
Naturally the only righteousness any one of us can claim is imputed righteousness –the righteousness of Christ credited to our account when we come to Him as Savior. But that is not what the Psalmist is referring to in this passage. “Those who lead blameless lives and do what is right, speaking the truth from sincere hearts,” is not a reference towards one’s vertical standing with God but a reference towards one’s horizontal standing with others. True worship affects our relationships with our fellow men and in fact impacts our relationship with our fellow men. We cannot worship God on Sunday if we harbor hate for others Monday-Saturday. The apostle John wrote, “If anyone says, ‘I love God,’ yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen. And he has given us this command: Whoever loves God must also love his brother.” (1 John 4:20-21 NIV). Worship that does not impact our daily relationships is not worship at all.
Friday, July 31, 2009
Thursday, July 30, 2009
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).
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).
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Fools
“The fool says in his heart, ‘There is no God.’” (Psalm 14:1a NIV).
The Bible does not use the term “fool” often or lightly. However it does use the term to describe those who declare “There is no God” (the dogmatic atheist) and those who live their lives as if there is no God (the practical atheist).
The Hebrew term for “fool” is rich in its imagery. This word finds its roots in a word that means “one who is powerless” and when used in the Psalms it is used to denote that idea of one who is morally deficient.
Atheism is not the child of intellectualism, it is the child of depravity. Harry Emerson Fosdick said, “Atheism is a theoretical formulation of the discouraged life.” That observation is both right and overly generous. To be sure, some turn to Atheism out of personal discouragement and hurt (such was the case of Madeline Murray O’Hare). Others, as the Psalmist imply turn to atheism out of a rebellious heart; out of a heart that is first morally corrupt and then seeks to justify its moral decadence. Atheists are not fools intellectually, they grasp the fact that in order to live a life free of moral constraints they have to construct a world without God.
The Bible describes such a person as a fool and I would add the only person they are fooling is themselves. The one who says, “There is no God,” is first an foremost a powerless creature trying to oppose the all-powerful Creator. One may believe that there is no God but all the belief in the world will not change the facts. There is a God and like it or not, every one of us will one day stand before Him and give an account of our lives–most importantly, every one of us will have to answer what we have done with His precious Son. Did we receive Him or reject Him? Those are the only two choices we have.
Not only is the one who declares “There is no God,” powerless to change the facts, but such a person far from revealing any profound truth is actually only revealing their own insecurities and declaring to all who hear their cry their own moral decay. Atheism is not the faith of the enlightened but the perversion of the deceived.
The Bible does not use the term “fool” often or lightly. However it does use the term to describe those who declare “There is no God” (the dogmatic atheist) and those who live their lives as if there is no God (the practical atheist).
The Hebrew term for “fool” is rich in its imagery. This word finds its roots in a word that means “one who is powerless” and when used in the Psalms it is used to denote that idea of one who is morally deficient.
Atheism is not the child of intellectualism, it is the child of depravity. Harry Emerson Fosdick said, “Atheism is a theoretical formulation of the discouraged life.” That observation is both right and overly generous. To be sure, some turn to Atheism out of personal discouragement and hurt (such was the case of Madeline Murray O’Hare). Others, as the Psalmist imply turn to atheism out of a rebellious heart; out of a heart that is first morally corrupt and then seeks to justify its moral decadence. Atheists are not fools intellectually, they grasp the fact that in order to live a life free of moral constraints they have to construct a world without God.
The Bible describes such a person as a fool and I would add the only person they are fooling is themselves. The one who says, “There is no God,” is first an foremost a powerless creature trying to oppose the all-powerful Creator. One may believe that there is no God but all the belief in the world will not change the facts. There is a God and like it or not, every one of us will one day stand before Him and give an account of our lives–most importantly, every one of us will have to answer what we have done with His precious Son. Did we receive Him or reject Him? Those are the only two choices we have.
Not only is the one who declares “There is no God,” powerless to change the facts, but such a person far from revealing any profound truth is actually only revealing their own insecurities and declaring to all who hear their cry their own moral decay. Atheism is not the faith of the enlightened but the perversion of the deceived.
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Start the Climb
“1 How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? 2 How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and every day have sorrow in my heart? How long will my enemy triumph over me? 3 Look on me and answer, O Lord my God. Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep in death; 4 my enemy will say, “I have overcome him,” and my foes will rejoice when I fall. 5 But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. 6 I will sing to the Lord, for he has been good to me. (Psalm 13:1-6 NIV).
“How long O Lord?” is the cry of many a heat. The New Living Translation renders verse 2: “2 How long must I struggle with anguish in my soul, with sorrow in my heart every day? How long will my enemy have the upper hand?
Too often we forget that the great hero’s of faith had the same clay feet as us. They have the same ups and downs, the same fears and concerns, the same joys and victories. Unlike the false counsel of Job’s friends and a host of false teachers today, we must remember and recognize that God’s righteous people do suffer in this fallen world and no matter how much the hope we have is, the fact is the suffering still hurts!
David understood such suffering. We don’t know when this Psalm was written. Was it early in his life, when, after receiving God’s promise of coronation as king he found himself running for his life from Saul? Certainly that was a dark period (an extended period) in his life.
Perhaps he wrote these words while suffering the guilt and punishment of his own sin with Bathsheba. That certainly was a dark period in his life.
Or maybe these words were penned when he was running for his life from his own son Absalom who decided that his father was no longer fit to rule Israel and staged his ill-fated coup.
We don’t know when David wrote these words, but we do feel the anguish of soul expressed in this Psalm. It seems at times that evil and suffering go unchecked at times and we wonder what God is doing; we wonder why He doesn’t act; why He is so deafeningly silent. Your feelings are not new. David felt them and expressed them. The fact that they are recorded in our Bible is testimony to the fact that God wanted them there, that they are more than the anguished thoughts of a distraught mind but the inspired words of God given to instruct us. I have learned from words such as these and experience that God is not afraid of our questions, though we may be reticent to accept His answers.
Whatever the circumstances were that occasioned this pleaful Psalm, my eyes and heart are drawn to those last two verses, “5 But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. 6 I will sing to the Lord, for he has been good to me.” David is hurting. He has expressed his hurt more eloquently than I could ever hope. But David decided that he would not focus on the dumps he was in, he chose to trust that the God of unfailing love knew what he was doing.
I don’t know what you may be going through today but you have a choice to make. You can either dwell on your sorrow or you can feast on His goodness. That is a choice. You can either wallow in the valley of pity and become bitter or you can climb the mountain of praise and become better. But please note carefully that last sentence. Mountain climbing is not easy, it is an uphill journey! Those who have climbed mountains know that at times you cling to the side of the mountain literally by your fingertips! Don’t think that deciding to praise in pain is going to solve the problem instantly. It won’t. God has much to teach you. The question is, will you stay where you are, or will you, with David ,start the climb?
“How long O Lord?” is the cry of many a heat. The New Living Translation renders verse 2: “2 How long must I struggle with anguish in my soul, with sorrow in my heart every day? How long will my enemy have the upper hand?
Too often we forget that the great hero’s of faith had the same clay feet as us. They have the same ups and downs, the same fears and concerns, the same joys and victories. Unlike the false counsel of Job’s friends and a host of false teachers today, we must remember and recognize that God’s righteous people do suffer in this fallen world and no matter how much the hope we have is, the fact is the suffering still hurts!
David understood such suffering. We don’t know when this Psalm was written. Was it early in his life, when, after receiving God’s promise of coronation as king he found himself running for his life from Saul? Certainly that was a dark period (an extended period) in his life.
Perhaps he wrote these words while suffering the guilt and punishment of his own sin with Bathsheba. That certainly was a dark period in his life.
Or maybe these words were penned when he was running for his life from his own son Absalom who decided that his father was no longer fit to rule Israel and staged his ill-fated coup.
We don’t know when David wrote these words, but we do feel the anguish of soul expressed in this Psalm. It seems at times that evil and suffering go unchecked at times and we wonder what God is doing; we wonder why He doesn’t act; why He is so deafeningly silent. Your feelings are not new. David felt them and expressed them. The fact that they are recorded in our Bible is testimony to the fact that God wanted them there, that they are more than the anguished thoughts of a distraught mind but the inspired words of God given to instruct us. I have learned from words such as these and experience that God is not afraid of our questions, though we may be reticent to accept His answers.
Whatever the circumstances were that occasioned this pleaful Psalm, my eyes and heart are drawn to those last two verses, “5 But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. 6 I will sing to the Lord, for he has been good to me.” David is hurting. He has expressed his hurt more eloquently than I could ever hope. But David decided that he would not focus on the dumps he was in, he chose to trust that the God of unfailing love knew what he was doing.
I don’t know what you may be going through today but you have a choice to make. You can either dwell on your sorrow or you can feast on His goodness. That is a choice. You can either wallow in the valley of pity and become bitter or you can climb the mountain of praise and become better. But please note carefully that last sentence. Mountain climbing is not easy, it is an uphill journey! Those who have climbed mountains know that at times you cling to the side of the mountain literally by your fingertips! Don’t think that deciding to praise in pain is going to solve the problem instantly. It won’t. God has much to teach you. The question is, will you stay where you are, or will you, with David ,start the climb?
Monday, July 27, 2009
Stand Fearlessly
“You, Lord, will guard us; You will protect us from this generation forever. The wicked wander everywhere, and what is worthless is exalted by the human race.” (Psalm 12:7-8 CSB).
Isn’t it wonderful to know that though “The wicked wander everywhere, and what is worthless is exalted by the human race,” God promises to guard and protect His children?
If we are not careful, as we look around the fallen world scene we could become easily discouraged. Politicians talk out of both sides of their mouths one recently declaring that he believed life began at conception but then turning right around and supporting the cold-blooded murder of that life through abortion from conception right up through partial-birth abortions which at least for the present stand banned. Truly “what is worthless is exalted by the human race.”
As God’s people we are called upon to make a stand. We must stand fearlessly on the side of truth and righteousness. In a world that wanders in wanton wickedness such a stand will not be popular, but then again, we were never called to be popular we were called to be faithful! Let us call on the Lord for strength and insight and stand faithful to Him knowing that even though our stance may bring misunderstanding and abuse from those who wander about in wickedness, ultimately God is the One we answer to and ultimately He will be the final judge. I would rather stand alone with Him than link arms with those who are perishing.
Isn’t it wonderful to know that though “The wicked wander everywhere, and what is worthless is exalted by the human race,” God promises to guard and protect His children?
If we are not careful, as we look around the fallen world scene we could become easily discouraged. Politicians talk out of both sides of their mouths one recently declaring that he believed life began at conception but then turning right around and supporting the cold-blooded murder of that life through abortion from conception right up through partial-birth abortions which at least for the present stand banned. Truly “what is worthless is exalted by the human race.”
As God’s people we are called upon to make a stand. We must stand fearlessly on the side of truth and righteousness. In a world that wanders in wanton wickedness such a stand will not be popular, but then again, we were never called to be popular we were called to be faithful! Let us call on the Lord for strength and insight and stand faithful to Him knowing that even though our stance may bring misunderstanding and abuse from those who wander about in wickedness, ultimately God is the One we answer to and ultimately He will be the final judge. I would rather stand alone with Him than link arms with those who are perishing.
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Don't Run from Trouble
1In the Lord I take refuge. How then can you say to me: “Flee like a bird to your mountain. 2 For look, the wicked bend their bows; they set their arrows against the strings to shoot from the shadows at the upright in heart. 3 When the foundations are being destroyed, what can the righteous do?” 4 The Lord is in his holy temple; the Lord is on his heavenly throne. He observes the sons of men; his eyes examine them. 5 The Lord examines the righteous, but the wicked and those who love violence his soul hates. 6 On the wicked he will rain fiery coals and burning sulfur; a scorching wind will be their lot. 7 For the Lord is righteous, he loves justice; upright men will see his face. (Psalm 11 NIV).
How often do we, like David, hear the counsel of well-meaning but misguided friends encouraging us to flee difficult circumstances? A marriage has gone sour and friends counsel divorce. A job has become difficult and those around us encourage us to just quit and find something else. A conflict arises at church and we begin to look for other places of worship rather than dealing with the problem. The list can go on and on. You get the picture.
Human nature wants of course to flee, that’s why the advice of those who counsel us this way is so appealing. Rather than running from our problems let us instead take refuge in the Lord. That is the only safe place! He is still on the Throne and even when we have lost control He has not! In Him is found perfect peace and safety.
How often do we, like David, hear the counsel of well-meaning but misguided friends encouraging us to flee difficult circumstances? A marriage has gone sour and friends counsel divorce. A job has become difficult and those around us encourage us to just quit and find something else. A conflict arises at church and we begin to look for other places of worship rather than dealing with the problem. The list can go on and on. You get the picture.
Human nature wants of course to flee, that’s why the advice of those who counsel us this way is so appealing. Rather than running from our problems let us instead take refuge in the Lord. That is the only safe place! He is still on the Throne and even when we have lost control He has not! In Him is found perfect peace and safety.
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
When God Seems Absent
“Why, O Lord, do you stand far off? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?” (Psalm 10:1 NIV).
Ever felt this way? I have. Why is it that there are times when God seems so near and dear, but when the chips are down seems so absent?
C.S. Lewis knew the feeling. Marrying late in life it wasn’t long before his new bride was discovered to have an aggressive cancer. Lewis did what any of us would do in those circumstances, he went to his heavenly Father and pleaded for a miracle. But it was not to be and shortly after they were married, Joy Lewis died. Devastated, Lewis began to journal his feelings. Early in that journal he wrote: “Meanwhile, where is God? This is one of the most disquieting symptoms. When you are happy, so happy that you have no sense of needing Him, so happy that you are tempted to feel His claims upon you as an interruption, if you remember yourself and turn to Him with gratitude and praise, you will be – or so it feels – welcomed with open arms. But go to Him when your need is desperate, when all other help is vain, and what do you find? A door slammed in your face, and a sound of bolting and double bolting on the inside. After that, silence. You may as well turn away. The longer you wait, the more emphatic the silence will become. There are no lights in the windows. It might be an empty house. Was it ever inhabited? It seemed so once. And that seeming was as strong as this. What can this mean? Why is He so present a commander in our time of prosperity and so very absent in time of trouble?” [Lewis, C.S., A Grief Observed, (Bantam Books, New York, 1961, pp. 4-5)]. Catches it perfectly doesn’t he?
The writer of this Psalm is struggling with those feelings. Why does God sit idly by and watch the wicked run roughshod over the righteous? Where is God when the arrogant wicked plot and plan against those weaker than themselves and abuse them? Where is God when the suicide bomber blows up a school bus full of children? Where is God when terrorists crash planes into building in New York? Where is God when radical Muslims capture and behead innocent workers who are trying to rebuild their very own country?
Tough questions. I wish I had the answer. I don’t. What I do know however is this: God is right there. He sees it all and He is keeping records. Look further down in this Psalm, “13 Why does the wicked man revile God? Why does he say to himself, ‘He won’t call me to account’? 14 But you, O God, do see trouble and grief; you consider it to take it in hand. The victim commits himself to you; you are the helper of the fatherless. 15 Break the arm of the wicked and evil man; call him to account for his wickedness that would not be found out.” (Psalm 10:13-15 NIV).
I don’t know what crisis may have you calling out to God today. I don’t know why sometimes God seems so painfully absent when our pain is great. Perhaps it’s like Lewis says later in his journal, “You can’t see anything properly while your eyes are blurred with tears . . . And so perhaps with God. I have gradually been coming to feel that the door is no longer shut and bolted. Was it my own need that slammed it in my face? The time when there is nothing at all in your soul except a cry for help may be just the time when God can’t give it: you are like a drowning man who can’t be helped because he clutches and grabs. Perhaps you own reiterated cries deafen you to the voice you hoped to hear.” (Grief pp. 53-54).
What I do know is this. God does hear your cries, “You hear, O Lord, the desire of the afflicted; you encourage them, and you listen to their cry.” (Psalm 10:17 NIV). And rest assured of this truth, even when you can’t see Him, He sees you. I think it was Charles Haddon Spurgeon who first said, “When you can’t see His hand, trust His heart.” I encourage you to do that today. You won’t be disappointed.
Ever felt this way? I have. Why is it that there are times when God seems so near and dear, but when the chips are down seems so absent?
C.S. Lewis knew the feeling. Marrying late in life it wasn’t long before his new bride was discovered to have an aggressive cancer. Lewis did what any of us would do in those circumstances, he went to his heavenly Father and pleaded for a miracle. But it was not to be and shortly after they were married, Joy Lewis died. Devastated, Lewis began to journal his feelings. Early in that journal he wrote: “Meanwhile, where is God? This is one of the most disquieting symptoms. When you are happy, so happy that you have no sense of needing Him, so happy that you are tempted to feel His claims upon you as an interruption, if you remember yourself and turn to Him with gratitude and praise, you will be – or so it feels – welcomed with open arms. But go to Him when your need is desperate, when all other help is vain, and what do you find? A door slammed in your face, and a sound of bolting and double bolting on the inside. After that, silence. You may as well turn away. The longer you wait, the more emphatic the silence will become. There are no lights in the windows. It might be an empty house. Was it ever inhabited? It seemed so once. And that seeming was as strong as this. What can this mean? Why is He so present a commander in our time of prosperity and so very absent in time of trouble?” [Lewis, C.S., A Grief Observed, (Bantam Books, New York, 1961, pp. 4-5)]. Catches it perfectly doesn’t he?
The writer of this Psalm is struggling with those feelings. Why does God sit idly by and watch the wicked run roughshod over the righteous? Where is God when the arrogant wicked plot and plan against those weaker than themselves and abuse them? Where is God when the suicide bomber blows up a school bus full of children? Where is God when terrorists crash planes into building in New York? Where is God when radical Muslims capture and behead innocent workers who are trying to rebuild their very own country?
Tough questions. I wish I had the answer. I don’t. What I do know however is this: God is right there. He sees it all and He is keeping records. Look further down in this Psalm, “13 Why does the wicked man revile God? Why does he say to himself, ‘He won’t call me to account’? 14 But you, O God, do see trouble and grief; you consider it to take it in hand. The victim commits himself to you; you are the helper of the fatherless. 15 Break the arm of the wicked and evil man; call him to account for his wickedness that would not be found out.” (Psalm 10:13-15 NIV).
I don’t know what crisis may have you calling out to God today. I don’t know why sometimes God seems so painfully absent when our pain is great. Perhaps it’s like Lewis says later in his journal, “You can’t see anything properly while your eyes are blurred with tears . . . And so perhaps with God. I have gradually been coming to feel that the door is no longer shut and bolted. Was it my own need that slammed it in my face? The time when there is nothing at all in your soul except a cry for help may be just the time when God can’t give it: you are like a drowning man who can’t be helped because he clutches and grabs. Perhaps you own reiterated cries deafen you to the voice you hoped to hear.” (Grief pp. 53-54).
What I do know is this. God does hear your cries, “You hear, O Lord, the desire of the afflicted; you encourage them, and you listen to their cry.” (Psalm 10:17 NIV). And rest assured of this truth, even when you can’t see Him, He sees you. I think it was Charles Haddon Spurgeon who first said, “When you can’t see His hand, trust His heart.” I encourage you to do that today. You won’t be disappointed.
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