ESOCS Devotional 12 March 2022
TEXT: PSALM 15:1-3
MEMORY VERSE: “Lord, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? Who shall dwell in thy holy hill?” Psalm 15:1 KJV
0 And the apostles, when they had returned, told Him all that they had done. Then He took them and went aside privately into a deserted place belonging to the city called Bethsaida. 11 But when the multitudes knew it, they followed Him; and He received them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and healed those who had need of healing. 12 When the day began to wear away, the twelve came and said to Him, “Send the multitude away, that they may go into the surrounding towns and country, and lodge and get provisions; for we are in a deserted lace ”
Psalm 15 is the first liturgical psalm. It was a psalm that was used in worship. It is a devotional psalm that describes the positive and negative sides of the worshipper of God. It gives the guidelines for living a blameless life. David wrote this psalm. He was a man after God’s heart. He knew God has a standard. So, he documented the standards so that we can learn and live by them.
The tabernacle was a visible structure that represented the dwelling place of God – the presence of God. Who then is qualified to stand in His presence? The psalmist defined the character of those who are qualified to be in the presence of God (vs.2-5). In relation to our text, those qualified must live a righteous life; must do that which is good in response to faith; speak the truth; do not speak behind someone in order to destroy his/her reputation; in loving his/her neighbor as himself/herself; does not work against him, etc.
A particular one of interest is slander – defamation. Words are so powerful, and how we use them reflects on our relationship with God. Perhaps nothing so identifies a Christian as his/her ability to control his/her speech. Tame your tongue, watch out for what you say (James 3:1-12).
As we grow (honestly) in our relationship with our God, we will develop a desire to live by His standards. The depth of our eternal relationship with Him can often be measured by the way we reflect His standards in our daily activities, and in our life. The joys and benefits of a life lived in the presence of God are enjoyed now and eternally. No pretense: without holiness, no man shall see God (Hebrews 12:14).
- Check yourself; good morals is not godliness.
- Ask God to help you live a life of godliness and not just good morals.
Read Other ESOCS Devotional here
FURTHER READING: Exodus 19; Psalm 24:3-6, 16:11
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ESOCS Devotional 12 March 2022
