Intimacy with God - Part 1

Intimacy with God - Part 1

Psalm 15

There is a question posed in Psalm 15 and the answer is sandwiched in the middle of a promise in the last verse. I would like to take the next few weeks to unpack this Psalm as it pertains to walking upright before the Lord. The question found in verse 1 is, “Who may dwell in your sanctuary? Who may live on your holy hill?” The latter part of verse 5 says, “He who does these things will never be shaken.” Now I want to dive into understanding what it is that I can do not to be shaken. So for the next few weeks we will look at verses 2-5 as we try to understand what God is saying.

Psalm 15 is not about what God expects people to do to be saved from their sins. The psalm is about enjoying close fellowship with God.

In Old Testament times high standards of personal holiness were required of someone who wanted to remain in the presence of the Lord, which was represented by the ark of God in its tabernacle. Dwelling in the sanctuary in the Old Testament referred to a specific place. In the New Covenant we are living in today, the temple is our bodies. We are the dwelling place of God where His Holy Spirit lives. Today, in the church, only people with high standards of personal holiness enjoy a deep intimacy with God. Psalm 15 is a signpost on the road along which the Holy Spirit yearns to lead each believer in Jesus.

As you read through the conditions of personal holiness, you will notice that they are all moral and spiritual in nature and not ritual and ceremonial. In other words, they have to do with character and conduct.

According to the response to the questions, a worshiper must walk blameless or perfect. Using the word, “walk,” gives the impression of all of life. It reminds me of Psalm 1:1 where the Psalmist writes, “Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers.” The word blessed is a Hebrew word that does not mean that God blesses, or rewards such a person; rather it means that such a person is happy, or fortunate. It is the same word used in the Beatitudes found in Matthew 5. It doesn’t mean “lucky.” That would imply chance. A godly or blameless walk results in close fellowship with God. It is one who obeys the commands of God in everything. Even when things around us are not working out, we still have a deep settled peace because we are never shaken.

I want to encourage you to read this passage a few times. Let it begin to read you as you seek to understand the kernel of truth God has for you today.

This Sunday will mark the 15^th anniversary of “911.” Come and participate in one of our services as we pray for our local law enforcement, and are reminded of our need of the Almighty God in our Nation.

Joy in Jesus!

Pastor Mike