Ever wonder how to summarize living a life that pleases the Lord? Psalm 15 is the perfect summary of the life God wants us to live!
This chapter really stood out to me during my quiet time reading as not only a chapter I want to memorize, but also a great chapter to pray through – take a look:
Psalm 15
A psalm of David.
1 Lord, who may dwell in your sacred tent?
Who may live on your holy mountain?
2 The one whose walk is blameless,
who does what is righteous,
who speaks the truth from their heart;
3 whose tongue utters no slander,
who does no wrong to a neighbor,
and casts no slur on others;
4 who despises a vile person
but honors those who fear the Lord;
who keeps an oath even when it hurts,
and does not change their mind;
5 who lends money to the poor without interest;
who does not accept a bribe against the innocent.
Whoever does these things
will never be shaken.
Wow, talk about a practical chapter to live by! I don’t know about you, but I want to dwell with the Lord! Sounds like I should pay attention to what kind of life David is saying would be God honoring!
The Life God Wants You to Live
So what are the practical things this chapter tells us to do?
- Live a blameless life
- Do what is righteous
- Speak truth
- Utter no slander
- Do no wrong to your neighbor
- Cast no slurs on others
- Despise vile people
- Honor those who fear the Lord
- Keep an oath at all costs
- Do not change your mind
- Lend money to the poor without asking for interest
- Don’t accept bribes
Take a moment and look through this list and let the Spirit speak to your heart.
Is there something on this list that needs to change in your life?
Something that the Spirit stood out to my heart (and He may be pointing out different things to yours!) is that I need to speak truth from my heart and “utter no slanders and cast no slurs on others.”
Can I be honest and say that sometimes it is easier to roll with the “jokes” that aren’t funny and laugh at the gossip that is slandering someone else? Yeah…I need to not nod in agreement or *gulp* even add to the fire in those situations, but speak truthfully even though it’s unpopular and won’t gain me “friends” (but can I ask, are these even the kind of friends I want to have if they are cutting down others?).
Let’s pray:
Abba, thank you for sending Jesus, and thank you that through His death and resurrection, He made it possible for us to dwell with You and live with You. Lord, help me to be one whose walk is blameless and who does what is righteous. Help me to speak truth from my heart and not utter slander or slurs on others. Jesus, help me to never wrong my neighbor, but to love them as I love myself. Help me to keep my word no matter what, even if it hurts. Holy Spirit, help my mind be unwavering in my faith and in keeping my promises. I pray I would never be shaken by the things of this world. You have told us that we will have hardships and trials, so let me not be surprised by them but be prepared for them.
