Daily Bread

Lord, who may dwell in your tabernacle?
Who may rest upon your holy hill?
Whoever leads an uncorrupt life
and does the thing that is right;
Who speaks the truth from the heart
and bears no deceit on the tongue;
Who does no evil to a friend
and pours no scorn on a neighbour;
In whose sight the wicked are not esteemed,
but who honours those who fear the Lord.
Whoever has sworn to a neighbour
and never goes back on that word;
Who does not lend money in hope of gain,
nor takes a bribe against the innocent;
Whoever does these things
shall never fall.

Well, there's some good advice in today's Psalm isn't there?

As Christians we strive to:

Do the right thing.
Tell the truth and not tell lies.
Not hurt others with our words or actions.
Not put others down behind their backs.
Not put people on pedestals.
Honour our fellow Christians.
Keep our promises.
Not lend money or stuff for our own gain.
Not accept bribes at the expense of others.

Seems a pretty simple list doesn't it? However, as I skimmed through the list, I was tempted to think that none of those things applied to me, but then reading it again, I realised that several of them applied to me (I'm not telling you which)! Perhaps it's not so simple after all?

The Psalmist writes, 'Whoever does these things shall never fall' yet there is only One who has done these things and will never fall. And to answer the Psalmist's opening question: 'Lord, who may dwell in your tabernacle? Who may rest upon your holy hill?' The answer is none of us, but there is One who qualifies and may do so.

Reading Psalm 15 is a reminder that I do not and cannot live — even for a single day — up to my own standards, let alone God's standards. It's painful to admit that I need saving and need a Saviour. All I can do is admit my failures, seek God's forgiveness, and strive (under the power and guidance of the Holy Spirit) to do better — all in the knowledge that my salvation is in Christ alone.

In the words of Elizabeth, John the Baptist's mom, from the Hip-Hop Gospel:

"He’s handed me a waiver, shown me favour
The Lord our God is a holy life-saver!"

Thank God that through Christ I too can dwell in the tabernacle and will never fall.

Holy God
You know that no matter how hard I try,
I cannot keep your laws and statutes.
I admit my weaknesses and my failures
and stand before you as one bruised and broken.
Thank you for your Son, Jesus Christ
who is my light and my salvation,
and for the Holy Spirit, my comfort and my guide.
May my life be found in you.
Now and forever.