Psalm 15 | Bible Study Wednesday

 

Welcome back to another Wednesday Bible study. Today we are in the book of Psalm chapter 15. This is a psalm of David. David asks a question in verse one and then answers that question in the subsequent verses. It is only 5 verses in length. If you have not done so, I encourage you to take a moment to pray and ask Holy Spirit to lead you and guide you through this passage. Ask Him to open up your spiritual eyes and ears to see and hear what He wants to teach you today. Read through these few verses and then we will study God's Word together.

Verse 1

David asks a question, "LORD, who shall abide in Thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in Thy holy hill? In other words, what kind of person, what qualities do they possess, who is able to stay in your holy place? Not just any person can do that. There are some requirements for remaining in the tabernacle of God in His holy hill. God has standards and regulations for whom He allows to live within His presence. What are they? Do you and I qualify? What does it look like to measure up to God's standard? Let's find out.

Let's look at Psalm 24:3-5. This is a sneak peek into this chapter that we will be visiting again in June. It says, "Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? or who shall stand in His holy place? He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. He shall receive the blessing from the LORD, and righteousness from the God of his salvation." According to this passage, the requirements are clean hands, pure heart, humble, and honest. Do we meet those requirements? Do we always have pure motives? Are we always humble and honest? Do we always do the things that are right and pleasing in His sight?

David is saying that when we seek to honor God with our life, when we choose to sacrifice praise, to honor God with our choices, and to live a life of integrity, aiming to please God we have the invitation to dwell and abide in God's holy tabernacle in His holy hill. Just so we get the full picture David is going to go in detail about what that really looks like.

Verse 2

David says the first thing is to be a person of integrity, good moral character. Walk uprightly means to deliberately, correctly, and faithfully move forward in the paths that God has already carved out for us. What does it mean to work righteousness? It means we do the right thing. What would God want us to do in the situation we find ourselves in? Are we choosing integrity over popularity? Are we conforming to this world or are we being transformed by the renewing of our mind as we read God's Word?

Ephesians 4:20-25 "But ye have not so learned Christ; If so be that ye have heard Him, and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus: That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another." This passage tells us that we have to die to our old nature and old habits. The things we did before we came to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ is not the same things we ought to be doing now. We once served self and now we serve King Jesus and we should act in accordance with His ways and His laws.

Verse 3

What else must we do to be worthy of inhabiting God's holy tabernacle in His holy hill? In this verse, David addresses how we treat our neighbor. Our neighbor is not just the person who lives next door. Remember when Jesus talks about the Good Samaritan? That story was told by Jesus in answer to the question of the lawyer, "Who is my neighbor?" So Jesus said a certain man went from Jerusalem to Jericho and was mugged. They robbed him, stripped him of his clothes, violently beat him and left him for dead. After some time a priest came by and saw the man laying in this terrible condition and he passed by him on the other side of the road. Another time a Levite came up to him and looked at him but he passed by him on the other side of the road. Then a certain Samaritan saw the man and had compassion on him. He went to the injured man, cleansed and bandaged his wounds, put him on his animal to transport him to the inn and took care of him. The next day the Samaritan had to leave but he took some money and gave it to the innkeeper with instructions to continue to care for the unnamed injured man. He said if the innkeeper spent more than what was given to care for this man he would return and pay the rest of the money owed. Jesus asks, "Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among thieves?" The lawyer answered, "The one who showed mercy." Jesus said, "Go, and do thou likewise." (Luke 10:25-37)

Anyone in our life is a neighbor: the store clerk, the receptionist, the police officer, the teacher, the CEO, the children, the pastor, the one who lives next door, the friend, the spouse, the stranger. All are our neighbors. David says to abide in God's holy tabernacle we cannot backbite or gossip, nor do evil to our neighbor, or be cruel to them. You may say that is easy, I do not treat people with cruelty or do evil deeds. Gossip is one of the most hurtful things you can do. The wounds that gossip inflicts run so deep and penetrate the heart to the core. It is extremely cruel and evil. 

Leviticus 19:16-18 "Thou shalt not go up and down as a talebearer among thy people: neither shalt thou stand against the blood (life) of thy neighbour: I am the LORD. Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thine heart: thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbour, and not suffer sin upon him. Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the LORD." God made Himself very clear. Do not go from house to house, or from phone conversation to phone conversation, person to person discussing other people. It can be tempting to just talk about it to pray for the need, but that is a slippery slope and it can lead to gossip and we must be very careful. God takes this so seriously because it has wounded the hearts of many and caused a great number of people to be led astray. Let's pray daily for God to guard our mouths. Psalm 141:3 Set a watch (guard), O LORD, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips. God will answer that prayer and we will not be a talebearer any longer. 

Exodus 23:1 Thou shalt not raise a false report: put not thine hand with the wicked to be an unrighteous witness.This happens time and time again in the churches all across America. I have seen it in big churches and small. Someone takes sides and shares their feelings and thoughts instead of actual facts and before long they are an unrighteous witness raising false reports. The enemy wants division and strife in the church because then he can isolate us and make us feel like we are all alone and forsaken. That is lie and we must not fall for it. Do not be part of the reason anyone is lied on. If we pray that prayer in Psalm 141:3 we will not do these things.

Verse 4

The KJV is not the easiest to read at times. What is verse four saying? The Message Bible says it like this, "Don't hurt your friend, don't blame your neighbour; despise the despicable." That is easier for me to comprehend. Remember when Mordecai would not give reverance to Haman in the book of Esther? Esther 3:2 And all the king's servants, that were in the king's gate, bowed, and reverenced Haman: for the king had so commanded concerning him. But Mordecai bowed not, nor did him reverence. Haman was an Amalekite and enemy of the Jews. Mordecai did not give reverence to him. When we know someone is in direct violation of God's Word we should not revere them. It is not okay to just go along with the crowd because everyone else says so, or even because a government official says so. God's Word trumps the world's authority. 

Leviticus 5:4-5 NIV "or if anyone thoughtlessly takes an oath to do anything, whether good or evil (in any matter one might carelessly swear about) even though they are unaware of it, but then they learn of it and realize their guilt --- when anyone becomes aware that they are guilty in any of these matters, they must confess in what they have sinned." So no matter if you are promising to do something good or something bad, if you have sinned in that without realizing it, God will use Holy Spirit to start convicting you of that wrong doing. And when you realize that you sinned, you must confess what you have done to God and ask for forgiveness. We all mess up but we must be able to admit the wrong we have done and repent, or turn away from that behavior. Jesus will forgive us if we ask Him to.

Let's be careful to not hurt our friends or falsely accuse someone when we do not have all the information. Let's choose to honor others and respect them. We will have a much better world if all would just do those two simple things.

Verse 5

David ends the chapter with one final thought about who will be able to stand in God's holy place. This verse is dealing with finances. If you say you will do something, then do it, even if it cost you money, even if it means you have to do without some things. Do not take incentives, bonuses, kickbacks, if you have to hurt others to get it. Lend to the less fortunate and do not ask for interest on the loan. Be generous and be kind. In Second Peter it tells us to add to our faith virtue and to virtue add knowledge and then to knowledge add temperance which means abstinence or self-control, and to temperance add patience and to patience add godliness and to godliness add brotherly kindness and to brotherly kindness add love. Peter said that if we have these things it makes us useful in God's Kingdom. 2 Peter 1:8-11 "For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall never be barren (useless) nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ, But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and that forgotten that he was purged from his old sins. Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall (stumble): For so an entrance shall be ministered (supplied) unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

David ends with "He that doeth these things shall never be moved." What an incredible promise. How loving of the Savior to allow us to know these truths today? We can read this, hear this, understand this, and if we obey this, we will never be moved. We will have a place in God's Kingdom. When the Psalmist asks, "God, who will live with You in Your holy tabernacle in Your holy hill?" God will answer with your name if you do these things.

God bless you!

~Bridgett Owens

You Have A Royal Job To Do | Fuel For The Weekend

Friends we have made it through another week. This year seems to be zooming by. Tomorrow is the first day of May. I am so thankful that spring is here and it is wonderful to see flowers and trees in bloom. I want to share some things the LORD is showing me in the book of Esther. This is a wonderful book in the Bible and I delight in reading it again and again. Some key passages that stood out to me are in chapter two and chapter four. Let's read it together.

ESTHER 2:8-9 (8)So it came to pass, when the king's commandment and his decree was heard, and when many maidens were gathered together unto Shushan the palace to the custody of Hegai, that Esther was brought also unto the king's house, to the custody of Hegai, keeper of the women. (9)And the maiden pleased him: and she obtained kindness of him: and he speedily gave her her things for purification, with such things as belonged to her, and seven maidens, which were meet to be given her, out of the king's house: and he preferred her and her maids unto the best place of the house of the women.

More than likely Esther was forced to go to this queen contest. After queen Vashti refused to obey the king's command and he banished her from the kingdom, the royal decree went out that all the virgins in the land were to come to the palace for a time of purification and preparation to be queen. She was orphaned when her parents died. Her cousin Mordecai raised her and he told her what to do and not to do. She listened to him. One thing he told her was never to tell that she was a Jew. Now Esther is in the palace along with all the other virgins in the land. Hegai is the keeper of the women. He is taking care of them and teaching them how to conduct themselves. He immediately liked Esther and she obtained preferential treatment.

Sometimes God wants us to do something and at first it may not look like something we want to do. If we will have a soft, pliable heart and obey God we will soon see we are in a situation where we are favored and given special treatment. God's Word tells us in Proverbs 3:3-4 "Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart: So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man." If we act with mercy and according to God's truth, if we keep them with us and in our hearts, we will find favor and good understanding in God's eyes and in man's. We see this is true in Esther as well.

ESTHER 2:17 And the king loved Esther above all the women, and she obtained grace and favour in his sight more than all the virgins; so that he set the royal crown upon her head, and made her queen instead of Vashti.

We know that Esther had obtained favor in God's eyes as we read the rest of the story. She also obtained favor in the king's eyes. According to the Jewish Talmud, Esther was one of the four most beautiful women who ever lived. Once king Ahasuerus saw Esther he decided he found his queen. She was beautiful and she did all the things she was instructed to do. This beautiful Jewish orphan found herself crowned queen and no one but her cousin knew she was a Jew.

God's people have always been under attack. This time in history is no different. Esther is in danger. All of the Jews are. The enemy is walking the halls of the palace and in a matter of time he strikes! What should Esther do about it? Everyone knows if she goes to the king unannounced he could have her head chopped off. Haman the arch enemy of the Jews has convinced the king to annihilate the Jews from off the planet. The king blindly goes along with this horrific scheme and the plan is put into motion. The royal decree goes out and it's up to Esther to save her people, but the king had not asked to see her in a while and she could not simply go see him on her own without risking her very life. 

ESTHER 4:13-16 (13)Then Mordecai commanded to answer Esther, Think not with thyself that thou shalt escape in the king's house, more than all the Jews. (14)For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and and thy father's house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this? (15)Then Esther bade them return Mordecai this answer, (16)Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish.

Mordecai tells Esther that it's up to her to save her people. If she won't do it, he reminds her that the king's castle is no safe hiding place. The decree is to annihilate all of the Jews and she would not be an exception. He reminds her that she was put in the palace for such a time as this. This is her purpose, her destiny. She is going to save a whole nation if she will be brave and courageous. Esther sends back the message that they must fast for three days and three nights with nothing to eat or drink. I have fasted that way for that length of time before and it is a powerful way to get your body under subjection and to hear from God. The fast began among the Jews and within the palace with Esther and her handmaidens. When you need a miracle from God, fasting and praying is a great way to get things moving!

Esther knew the gravity of what was being asked of her. She was young. She wanted to please her cousin. She wanted to be a good queen. She wanted to use her favor and influence for something meaningful and now is her chance. The last statement she made was powerful. She tells her cousin she trusts that he is guiding her correctly. She knows it is no accident a young orphaned Jewish girl is now in a place of power and honor. She boldly states that she will go to the king even though it is against the law and if she dies, she is willing to die.

What things in your life are you facing that seem to be overwhelming? Maybe there is no decree to annihilate you and your family, but maybe you are looking at something big and scary and you are afraid. God wants to encourage you that you are right where you are supposed to be. He will make the way of escape for you. He will lead you and guide you where you need to go next. He will fill your mouth with what to say. Do you trust Him? What were you placed on the earth, right now in this moment, for?

1 CORINTHIANS 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

JOHN 16:13 Howbeit when He, the Spirit of truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth: for He shall not speak of Himself; but whatsoever He shall hear, that shall He speak: and He will shew you things to come.

EXODUS 4:11-12 (11)And the LORD said unto him, Who made man's mouth? or who maketh the dumb, or deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? have not I the LORD? (12)Now therefore go, and I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say.

As we go through the upcoming weekend, let's look for opportunities to do good. Let's ask Holy Spirit to guide us in the paths to walk in. Let's pray for God to fill our mouths with what He wants us to say. We can do all things as Jesus strengthens us according to Philippians 4:13. Let's think about what we were made to do and let's do it with everything within us. God will give you favor with people. You will get the promotion, the provision, the promise. Don't give up. Stay faithful to the one true, faithful, loving God and lean on Him. He will see us all through.

I hope something I have shared today has given you strength for your journey and light for your way. God bless you!

~Bridgett Owens