Psalm 15: Lord, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill? 2 He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart. 3 He that backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbour, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbour. 4 In whose eyes a vile person is contemned; but he honoureth them that fear the Lord. He that sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not. 5 He that putteth not out his money to usury, nor taketh reward against the innocent. He that doeth these things shall never be moved.
Where I live is a good place to walk. There are up and down hills. There are some pretty steep ones. I could usually do it—years ago. Now I can hardly get up the little hills. I need more practice.
Living the Christian life takes some practical living. The less we practice living for the Lord the more out of shape we get spiritually. It’s not level walking. The devil will make sure it’s not all easy. In order to make the downhill side we need to get through the uphill. It doesn’t take long if you stop to get weak. We’re told to exercise our faith. It’ a daily walk in Him and with Him. Walk toward Him. He’s there to lead if we’ll but follow. In order to get up the holy hill we have to make it up the hills of our spiritual life. Living by being a Christian exercises our faith. As we have received the gift, walk in that light as He is in the light. Walk circumspectly. What’s that? Circumspect is all the way around. The Lord is there to rescue us if we need it. There are hills every day and they are “climb-able.” If we’re out of shape the best thing to do is get back out there at it.
This chapter is really a question posed by David in verse 1 with the answer following. He lifted up his heart to the Lord and asked a simple question. Lord, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill. Ask the Lord how he wants you to walk each day. Some people hardly ever come to church. Some hardly ever pray. If we seek the Lord as we should we can make it up the hills of life. When we don’t pray, read our Bible and take care of our relationship with God we will pay for it spiritually. The devil says “stay home today; you don’t feel like going to church.” He says “don’t pick up your Bible and read it.” I’ve even had people tell me they weren’t at church because they needed a day off. You don’t take a vacation day from serving the Lord. When we don’t exercise prayer we forget how. We get weak. We need our brothers and sisters. Get on out there with them and move more for the Lord. If you think God isn’t moving ask yourself why you aren’t moving.
Lord, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill. The hill is before us. Who can do it? The Lord was glad to answer. Our salvation is a visible one. Believe Jesus was raised from the dead. Confess with your mouth, a personal confession of faith that lets others know. The devil says to be ashamed of the Lord. Don’t be a house cat on God. Get out and witness. Live your life for the Lord. Don’t keep it a secret. People cannot see what is in your heart but they can see your life. Others need to see our relationship with God. It’s practical, common sense living every day of the week. Between now and when we die or the Lord comes back we need to show Jesus. We don’t need to put a sign on our back. If you have to wear a t-shirt for people to know you’re a Christian, that’s a pretty sorry Christian. Our behavior and conduct should tell people that we are.
He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart. Walk uprightly—don’t stagger around. Stay exercised and walk upright. When the hills come and require more exertion the Lord will help. When you feel like you can’t make it, ask the Lord for help. He’ll carry you through. When he gets you safely through, he’ll put you down and tell you to keep walking as we walks right by you. We’ve got to keep walking with Jesus.
He that backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbour, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbour. nor whose eyes a vile person is contemned; but he honoureth them that fear the Lord. He that sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not. He that putteth not out his money to usury, nor taketh reward against the innocent. He that doeth these things shall never be moved.
There is no such thing as a mean Christian. Be honest. Speak truth. We’re not authorized to be mean. Some may think telling the truth is being mean. That’s not what I’m talking about. Don’t give in to earthly passions and be mean spirited and lose your cool. We need to discipline ourselves. Do the things that please God and refuse to do what doesn’t please him. Follow his standard, not ours. We walk in his righteousness, not ours. Don’t say one thing to someone’s face and another to their back. Many a person has gone to hell because of the tongue. James told us it’s like a fire. We can’t control it without the help of the Lord. Practice talk like a Christian. Talk the talk and walk the walk or we’ll be a hindrance. It takes effort not to speak back to a bad neighbor. If we want to make it up the hill we need to love God and our neighbor as we do ourselves. Because we’re saved we can do it.
We’re exposed to a lot of sin and we don’t need to be watching and listening to things we shouldn’t be. Honor your brother and sister. We could accomplish a lot for God if we’d just realize we need the Lord as much or more than others do. It’s hard to judge others when we keep a good look at what we’re doing ourselves.
Keep walking regardless of the hot spots. It’s a hard trail at times but we’ll find the city of God. If we don’t climb we won’t find out what’s in store for us. Knowing to exercise and doing it are two different things. It’s time to get back in shape for God. Who’ll make it up the hill? The one who exercise the right things for God.
Adwolfe Freewill Baptist Church 