Tuesday3/9/2010 9:49:17 PM

Weekly Devotional

What God looks for in His Guests

Scripture: Psalms 15 - (A Psalm of David)

1 LORD, who may dwell in your sanctuary? Who may live on your holy hill? 2 He whose walk is blameless and who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth from his heart 3 and has no slander on his tongue, who does his neighbor no wrong and casts no slur on his fellowman, 4 who despises a vile man but honors those who fear the LORD, who keeps his oath even when it hurts, 5 who lends his money without usury and does not accept a bribe against the innocent. He who does these things will never be shaken.

Have you ever had guests in your home? I am sure that like most people you are accommodating to guests and want them to feel comfortable and welcome in your home; you may even go to extreme lengths to extend your hospitality. However, even a guest has a level of responsibility and accountability to the household and respect to the owner of the house. While you may allow someone to be guest in your home there are still basic and fundamental “House Rules” that everyone must abide by if they are going to be a guest in your home. Since we are made in the image and likeness of God, our feelings are a natural flow of our God-likeness as God requires a certain behavior of all those who desire to dwell in His sanctuary and live in His holy hill. The Psalmist asks the questions that pertain to who is it that may dwell and live in the sanctuary and holy hill of the Lord.

God requires that those who are going dwell and live in these sacred places have a genuine respect for the owner and His rules. In this chapter God is very specific about the behavior of those who desire to be on His guest list.

God wants those whose actions are pure (verse 2)
God wants those who do not mistreat others(verse 3)
God wants those who despise wrong, respect those who love Him and will do right even when it hurts (verse 4)
God wants those who do not want to prosper at the expense of others(verse 5)
God then promises that if we DO these things that we will never be shaken or moved, meaning we will have a standing invitation to dwell in the sanctuary and live in His holy hill.

Pray and meditate this week on being a respectful guest in God’s sanctuary and resident of His holy hill. Ask God for guidance and help to be even better this week than last week.

read previous weekly devotionals here...