Hobart Herd Devotional – Psalms 15 – 5-13-20
I had the privilege of being provided by my church, a Sabbatical trip to Israel in March of 2019. On that trip I witnessed first hand the extreme desire of God’s people to be able to worship God again in His temple. Psalms 15 describes this heart felt desire to be able to worship God in His tent on His hill. It also answers the question of who will be able to worship God in His Holy Presence. While in today’s world there is no temple to meet with God and worship Him, the real problem in being in God’s presence is not location, but a righteous man.
We are reminded by this Psalm that only those who live righteously before God can expect to be accepted in His presence. In David’s time, you would have needed a sacrifice of a perfect lamb or dove to provide for forgiveness in order to enter the temple and worship. Praise God, Jesus came as the Lamb of God to provide a way for us to have right relationship and bring worship, glory and honor to God again. Even David did not always meet the standards that are mentioned in this Psalm. Psalms
15:2 He who walks with integrity, and works righteousness, and speaks truth in his heart.(NAS) This is God’s standard, and no matter how hard we try, we cannot always meet this standard. The answer is the One Person who lived as a man, perfect without sin before God and provided Himself a Perfect Sacrifice for my sin. I stand before God as a man, dead to my sin, and alive in Jesus Christ living in me, Righteous by Christ’s Righteousness in which I live and breathe.
The encouragement we have to live in His righteousness, is that when we do, we have the assurance of God’ Presence and Promises. When we fail and sin against God, we are convicted of our sin and until we confess and repent, we lose fellowship with God. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, 19 Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? 20
For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body. These verses remind us that have been bought by Christ’s blood and belonging to Him, we need to live our lives in such a way as to bring God glory. We can stand before Him in steadfast assurance and strength by faith in the resurrection power of our Lord that enables us to live righteously in Him. Not because I have the ability to be perfect, but His perfect righteousness lives in me.
Father, thank You that You have provided for all those who believe, the ability, right, and power to become Your child. Give me the desire and will to live righteous and holy for Your glory. I look forward to living for eternity in Your presence. In Jesus Name, Amen! Pastor Rob
Hobart Devotional – Psalms 16 – 5-14-20
Psalms 16 is a prayer and statement of faith that David had found his safety, refuge and keeping in the Lord. Verse ,2 – I said to the LORD, “Thou art my Lord; I have no good besides Thee.” Verse 5 – The LORD is the portion of my inheritance and my cup; Thou dost support my lot. Verse 8 & 9 – I have set the LORD continually before me; because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices; My flesh also will dwell securely.(NAS) These verses are like the statements of faith and trust in God in David’s prayer and praise to the Lord.
So the cry of verse 1 is answered by the reminders of Who the Lord is in our lives. When we call out for safety and refuge, we can be assured that all the things that the Lord has done for us will come to mind and we can take solace in our Trust in Him. During this time of uncertainty and concern, I truly have a God that I can trust in! All the descriptions of this chapter are a reminder of What the Lord has done for me, and Who the Lord is to me. “When I am afraid, I will put my trust in Him.”(Psalms 56:3)
“Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.” Isaiah 26:3(KJV) What great reminders of How God keeps our hearts and minds when we trust in Him.
We can truly trust that God will make known the path of life and bring “fullness of joy” and “pleasures forever” to those who put their faith in Him.(16:11)
Father, thank You that I can trust in You and base my life on Your power, provision and presence. Forgive me when I let the things of this world distract and take away the joy of Who You are. Help me to know that in Your presence I can find joy and look forward to pleasures forever. In Jesus Name, Amen! Pastor Rob