Keeping Close to God
Introduction:
What kind of person does God welcome into His house? This
one is truly blessed as
Psalm 65:4
proclaims. Our text,
Psalm 15,
is considered to be a psalm of David. Within these five
short verses, he describes how one keeps close to God.
Text:
Psalm 15
Body:
I.
The Question
(Verse
1)
·
Who has the privilege of close fellowship with Jehovah?
David has a similar sentiment in
Psalm 27:4.
The prophet Isaiah also describes the wonderful blessings of
the one who dwells in God’s presence. (Isaiah
33:13-16)
II.
The Answer
(Verse
2)
·
“Walks blamelessly” – with integrity (Proverbs
28:18)
His character is blameless and he desires to please God. (Psalm
18:23-24, Psalm 84:11)
Also see
Ephesians 1:4.
·
“Does what is right” – To have close fellowship with God,
one does what should be and needs to be done in God’s sight,
regardless of whether men approve or not. (Psalm
106:3, Galatians 2:14)
·
“Speaks truth in his heart” – One values truth; so he is
honest. (Ephesians
4:25)
He is sincere, not a hypocrite. Don’t be like the one in
Psalm 12:2.
“They speak idly everyone with his neighbor; With flattering
lips and a double heart they speak.” NKJV
·
Are these the qualities and values that drive your behavior?
Do these guide your decisions? They must if you desire to
keep close to God.
III.
The Description
(Verses
3-5)
·
“Walks in innocence” (Verse
3)
One is concerned about the welfare and reputation of others.
(Psalm
34:13, II Corinthians 12:20)
Slander (Exodus
23:1-2)
Take up a reproach
·
“Walks in holiness” (Verse
4)
“Vile” –
Proverbs 8:13
He loves what He loves and hates what He hates. (Romans
12:9)
Remember how Mordecai refused to bow down to Haman. (Esther
3)
“Honors” – To all good men we owe a debt of honor. (Psalm
16:3, Psalm 119:63)
”Swears to his own hurt” – He keeps his word regardless of
the cost. (Joshua
9:18-20)
·
“Walks in justice” (Verse
5)
“At interest” (Leviticus
25:35-38, Ezekiel 18:8)
“Bribe” (Exodus
23:6-9)
Does not extort or take advantage
Conclusion:
Being welcomed by God into His presence is a very precious
thing. Only those described in this psalm will be blessed
with this privilege. The psalmist finishes his psalm by
stating that the one who does these things shall never be
moved or shaken.
Bobby Stafford
December 15, 2013
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