Devotion • May 28
Today's Scripture
Psalm 15
O Lord, who may abide in your tent? Who may dwell on your holy hill?
Those who walk blamelessly, and do what is right, and speak the truth from their heart;
who do not slander with their tongue, and do no evil to their friends, nor take up a reproach against their neighbors;
in whose eyes the wicked are despised, but who honor those who fear the Lord; who stand by their oath even to their hurt;
who do not lend money at interest, and do not take a bribe against the innocent. Those who do these things shall never be moved. (NRSV)
Reflection
Immediately after I read this psalm, I filled out the following “Are you in the tent” checklist:
Ugh. I will never be a worthy guest in God’s house.
Then, I reread the poem.
While my answers do not change, my perspective does.
I realize that while I will never deserve to live in God’s house based on my actions, God still invites me — each of us — in. Every day, God invites us to live in light. God’s grace and love make this happen, not my worthiness.
That leaves us with only one tent checklist question:
And that is the only “yes” you — and I — need.
That settled, I do want to be a good guest in God’s home. That means I want to live as righteous a life as possible. I want to tell the truth, speak kindly of others, and keep promises. In short, because God gives me grace and love — without me earning any of this — I want my actions to reflect God’s goodness.
A beloved mentor of mine taught me the Jewish concept of shem tov — a good name. Nothing is more important than your name and your reputation, he said. It was a lesson his father, a Polish immigrant who escaped the Holocaust, passed on to him.
Psalmist David gives us the same advice.
Prayer
Dear God, please help me to live a life of right. And when I fall short, as I most certainly do — daily, hourly — thank you for still welcoming me into your wondrous tent. Amen.
Written by Phil Calian, Member of Fourth Presbyterian Church
Reflection and Prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church
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