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
Imagine if the greeters in your church employed this litmus test each Sunday upon your arrival. Did you speak truthfully this week? Did you avoid slandering and finger pointing at your neighbors? Did you keep all your promises, even when it hurt? Were all your dealings with money just and not for personal gain at someone else's expense?
Psalm 15 tells us two things: one, that these expressions of neighbor-love, most of which turn on truthfulness and honesty, are deeply important for a people called to holiness; and, two, we're going to need a different way into God's presence than our own track record. Might you know a "high priest" (Hebrews 4:15) with the right qualifications for entry?
Prayer
Lord Jesus, to be honest, I haven't dealt truthfully with my neighbors, and I don't belong on any holy hills unless you say that I do. Thank you for saying that I do by calling me your friend. Amen.