O Lord, who may abide in Your tent?
Who may dwell on Your holy hill?
He who walks with integrity, and works
righteousness,
And speaks truth in his heart.
He does not slander with his tongue,
Nor does evil to his neighbor,
Nor takes reproach against his
friend;
In whose eyes a reprobate is despised,
But who honors those who fear the
Lord;
He swears to his own hurt and does not
change;
He does not put out his money at
interest,
Nor does he take a bribe against the
innocent.
He who does these things will never be
shaken.
Psalm 15 (NASB)
Father,
We spend a lot of time finding the wrong in others; pointing out their sin. We are called to hold each other accountable as brothers and sisters in Christ, but not at the expense of neglecting our own sin. Your Son tells us that it is no good for us to tell our brother about the speck in his eye if we’ve got a log sticking out of our own. And too often we make this all about morality, when in fact it is about a relationship. A relationship with you. The way you call us to live begs a certain morality, but that’s not the end game. We get too hung up on it. Guide us to Your word, and the places where you instruct us how to best live for you God. Allow us to focus on the things listed in this Psalm in our own lives before we begin to decry others. Give us the discerning hearts to know when the time is right to call each other out when it is needed, and for the right reasons. Show us how to better love each other; in that love we will build each other up, and help each other to grow in our relationships with you.
Let it be,
David Stippick
