Today’s Reading, Psalms 1, 2, 15, 22-24, 47, 68
Focal Scripture: Psalms 15:3-4 “who does not slander with his tongue, who does not harm his friend or discredit his neighbor, who despises the one rejected by the Lord but honors those who fear the Lord, who keeps his word whatever the cost,”
To be in God’s presence means a life must be changed. To be in his presence also means that this person understands that salvation only comes from the Lord above. It also means that this person has zero sin in their life. I can’t speak for anyone else, but I know that my life falls short of that holy standard. I am a sinner. I have many struggles. The only reason I can be in his presence is that I have put all of my faith in Jesus. He has forgiven me and allowed me to be in God’s presence daily.
In today’s reading, we see in detail what it takes for a person to ascend the mountain of God. It requires someone who doesn’t talk about others. A person who doesn’t harm his friend or discredit another person. It also means that you don’t despise those who fear the Lord, but you do see those who are unbelievers as already judged. Then this line is dropped, and it hits very hard. They keep the word of the Lord, whatever the cost might be to them personally.
So do you keep the word of the Lord with that type of passion and sincerity? Are you the type of person who would be able to ascend the mountain of God? It is an impossible standard to meet without Jesus. However, people are always trying to live like they are capable of being in the Lord’s presence without having a changed heart and life.
Today’s devotion hit me different because I honestly believe that the majority of people who claim to know Jesus have never had a true heart change. They have no conviction of sin when they violate scripture. I have witnessed so-called believers violate the word of God behind closed doors, never admit their sin, then stand up and try to bring people to faith.
Why do I bring this up? Because professing believers must also have fruit. I think that many people will be surprised in the last days when they stand before Jesus. They will claim their actions instead of the works of Christ. Let me be clear that this verse tells us that God’s standard is high and none of us meet it daily. If you think you have you need to examine your heart.
My challenge to you today is to examine your life compared to God’s standard. If you can sin and not have that sin eat at your soul, you need to check your salvation. If you can treat others horribly and not experience conviction, the scriptures declare you don’t know the Lord.
It is time we understand biblical salvation. It is time we understand that profession is not the same as possession. I can stand in the presence of God because of Jesus. What about you?
Tomorrow, I plan on reading Psalms 89, 96, 100, 101, 105, 132
