Wednesday, July 5, 2017

Studies in the Psalms - Psalm 15

How To Not Be Shaken

This life can sometimes seem so tenuous. How often anxiety and worry consume our lives as things in our lives seem always to be shaky. Our jobs can be cut at any moment. A car accident could change your life in just a second. One day we feel great and the next day the diagnosis of cancer can show up on a routine exam. How do we find solid ground to stand on, when things of life can change so quickly? Psalm 15 is a look at how the Christian should live and the conclusion is that if we live as God calls us to; we shall not be shaken.

First the question:

Psalm 15:1
O LORD, who may abide in Your tent? Who may dwell on Your holy hill?

Understand that this Psalm is not describing the way to salvation. The Bible is clear that faith in Christ is the only way to salvation. Instead this psalm takes the idea of obedience to God’s commands and brings them down to some simple behaviors that Christians will follow if they are Christ’s.

Psalm 15:2
He who walks with integrity, and works righteousness, And speaks truth in his heart.

The Jews had 613 commandments they were supposed to follow. But the psalmist speaks more to spiritual salvation here in anticipation of the coming messiah and in this psalm, are three basic principles to follow.

Walk with integrity, work righteousness, and speak truth. Follow these principles and everything else falls into place. You will not be shaken, even in the tenuous nature of life.

Psalm 15:3-5
He does not slander with his tongue, Nor does evil to his neighbor, Nor takes up a 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.

Worry and fear in the mind of the Christian need not be. Jesus gave us a simple formula.

Matthew 6:33-34
"But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. "So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.


The answer is simple. Focus on Jesus and seek to be like Him each day. Do that and you shall not be shaken.

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