Pastor Caroline - What God Requires

 

What God Requires

 

Thanks Who may dwell in the house of the Lord?

Let’s look at the Good News Bible in Psalm 15 verses 1 to 5 for the answer to this question.

(1) Lord, who may enter your temple? Who may worship on Zion, your sacred hill?

(2) A person who always obeys God in everything and always does what is right, whose words are true and sincere,

(3) and who does not slander others. He does no wrong to his friends and does not spread rumours about his neighbours .

(4) He despises those whom God rejects, but honours those who obey the Lord. He always does what he promises, no matter how much it may cost.

(5) He makes loans without charging interest and cannot be bribed to testify against the innocent.

Whoever does these things will always be secure.

 

This is indeed filled with the answer to the question, who may dwell with the Lord? Does this question mean when we die who made dwell with the Lord? Or who may dwell with the Lord during our life here on earth? This psalm was written by David, the Psalmist and I believe he wants us to understand who made dwell with the Lord now, as well, as in eternity.

 

When our hearts are set on God‘s ways we will obey the Lord in His ways. The instruction given to us through the Psalmist here is a wonderful list of what God requires of us throughout our lifetime, leading us to eternity. Now let’s look at these 11 points.

The person who;

(1) obeys God in everything

(2) does what is right

(3) speaks true and sincere words

(4) does no wrong to his friends

(5) does not spread rumors

(6) despises those whom God rejects

(7)  those who obey the Lord

(8) does when he promises (keeps his word)

(9) does not allow cost to factor into his service

(10) gives a loan – interest free

(11) cannot be bribed to testify against the innocent.

Then we are told:

Whoever does these things will always be secure.

 

Whoever – that is you and me, or anyone else in the world who lives by this instruction; will dwell with the Lord. When we live our lives according to the word of the Lord we will “be dwelling with the Lord”, now and all the days of our life, here and in eternity.

 

If our fellowship with family, friends, neighbours and strangers is moulded after this instruction we certainly will be setting a Godly example as to how we live our lives and how they should live theirs as well. When we go above and beyond the rules of the world and live our lives from a heavenly perspective, people will know we are different. If they are serving the Lord they will know we are as well, however, if they are not serving they will question “what is wrong with them.” Then, we are given a wonderful opportunity to witness our faith, fellowship and service in Christ Jesus our Lord. We can share with them this instruction we are reading about today. What a wonderful way to start someone on the path that leads to the heart of our heavenly loving Father.

 

When we live this instruction given to us today we will build a strong character within ourselves. We will be people who can be counted on. We will stand strong and not be swayed or moved by this whim or that whim that the world offers. We know our foundation is firm in the Lord and His word. We will hear His voice daily as we study His word, listen to those called and anointed to preach His word, we can hear Him through worship music, also in sharing the word of God with those like-minded and doing our devotionals. So many ways to receive and build on His word, making our lives strong as we dwell with the Lord.

 

How sweet it is to know every day we have the creator of the whole earth giving us instruction as how to live a life pleasing onto Him and securing all things under His name.

 

I simply do not know how to bless your day any better than to say, as David the Psalmist says to us – dwell with the Lord doing as He requires and you will always be secure.

 

Praise the Lord for His glorious word! Today and every day you can enjoy your life as you dwell with God. He requires little of us and we are given so much from Him to enjoy an abundant life, and His blessings to us, who have received Him as Lord and Savior.