Psalm 15

Psalm 15 (NRSV)
1 O Lord, who may abide in your tent?
Who may dwell on your holy hill?
2 Those who walk blamelessly, and do what is right,
and speak the truth from their heart;
3 who do not slander with their tongue,
and do no evil to their friends,
nor take up a reproach against their neighbors;
4 in whose eyes the wicked are despised,
but who honor those who fear the Lord;
who stand by their oath even to their hurt;
5 who do not lend money at interest,
and do not take a bribe against the innocent.
Those who do these things shall never be moved.
[1]

Lord,
It’s clear that integrity and character are really important to you. At the same time, you have promised to love us as we are. And, there are times when character and integrity are challenged and sometimes fail. Do you kick us out of the tent? Are we in and out according to the rating on the integrity scale?

I am so grateful for the gospel that speaks of grace and pardon. And I am grateful for the promise of the Paraclete, the Spirit, who guides and instructs and corrects and accompanies us along the way. I am grateful for that love of yours which is never dependent upon the state of my character analysis nor the strength of my integrity in any given moment.

Lord, grow me to embody the way of life that you intend for all of your people. Abide within me so that I may indeed be and become the man of character and integrity that you call me to be. Grow me to live according to the standards of your tent and when I fail, forgive me, set me straight, and help me to try again.

PERSONAL PRAYERS:
Ask God’s help to embody the wisdom of Psalm 15.
Ask God’s pardon and open you heart to receive forgiveness when you fall short.
Name 5 things for which you are grateful and say “Thank you” to God.
In Christ’s name,
Amen.


[1] The Holy Bible : New Revised Standard Version. Nashville : Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1989