Psalm 15 (NRSV)
Read Psalm 15 on biblegateway.com
Verse 1O Lord, who may abide in your tent? Who may dwell on your holy hill?
Verse 2Those who walk blamelessly, and do what is right, and speak the truth from their heart;
Verse 3who do not slander with their tongue, and do no evil to their friends, nor take up a reproach against their neighbors;
Verse 4in whose eyes the wicked are despised, but who honor those who fear the Lord; who stand by their oath even to their hurt;
Verse 5who do not lend money at interest, and do not take a bribe against the innocent. Those who do these things shall never be moved.
Devotion
In the church “tent,” you want leaders who aren’t easily swayed, who speak the truth from their hearts, who keep an oath even when it hurts. Carl was not easily swayed, but he was easy to engage. He liked people but his heart was resolutely promised to God. It’s a delicate combination. Most of us are people-pleasers, not God-pleasers. Our heart may go astray.
The psalmist describes one who may “dwell on your holy hill” by listing how he or she relates to friends and neighbors (v. 3), the wicked and the righteous (v. 4) and customers and constituents (v. 5), not by prayers or pieties. In church as among friends, in communities and with business, we trust the person who “shall never be moved.”
My life is enriched by many Carls and Carols, people who have the delicate balance of being moved to compassion but never moved from conviction.
Prayer
Faithful God, you lead us with clarity but from your heart. Ground us in your love and faithfulness in Jesus. Amen.