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
O Lord, who may abide in your tent? Who may dwell on your holy hill? The psalmist's questions wrestle with what preparations are appropriate for worshipping God in the temple in Jerusalem.
How do you prepare for worship? At my house we do Saturday night baths and lay out our Sunday morning outfits. We think about our offering, and since I am the pastor, I review the plans for the morning worship service. Yet the psalmist is not concerned about outfits, baths, or worship plans, but rather about a life of integrity, honesty, and truth that puts others before self and builds roots that are sunk deep in the love of the Lord.
The world follows one trend after another and people get lost here and there along the way. Hold fast to the Lord and sink your roots deep into God's teachings. Then no matter which direction the world turns, you will remain grounded.
Prayer
Gracious God, make us mindful that worship is a matter of daily life. You gave your whole life for the sake of the world. Ground us in this love, that in all our business and decisions we may treat others with integrity and genuine love. Amen.