Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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 Jesus Christ who transforms human situations

Psalm 15

It’s a reflective psalm written by King David, starting with a question of what it looks to live worthy of the presence of God, that is who can dwell on Yahweh’s holy hill. And this question answers us to describing the characteristics required to dwell with the Lord right now; how to walk in faith and have fellowship with the living God. Such a thing is not possible by man alone, but with Jesus Christ who transforms human situations.
The world, in which we live today, has so many problems, sickness, calamities, and in the midst of all these it’s best to live with the presence of the Lord. David through his Psalm, gives out clear instruction in very few verses, how to live with the blameless character to know the Lord and enter his Tabernacle. “Do you think people can change and live a blameless life?” “We can’t change ourselves. The Holy Spirit can transform our hearts and our lives. Jesus Christ transforms human situations. Jesus has a way of transforming us the way we should interact with others.
Throughout the Gospels, Jesus commands us to love one another the way He loves us. Jesus Christ through His Atonement and teaching, helps us change our lives, face our trials, and move forward with faith. 
David meditates on the characters of mankind that needs to be followed every time. This psalm brings hope to mankind, that in spite of all the wickedness, we can change and still abide in the presence of the holy God. 
From verse two onwards David describes the characters that a man must follow in order to come before God.    “He who walks uprightly, and works righteousness, and speaks the truth in his heart; he who does not backbite with his tongue, nor does evil to his neighbor, nor does he take up a reproach against his friend.”
David begins with two general descriptions, walk uprightly, and work righteousness. In order to walk uprightly and live a righteous life one must keep a guard over his tongue. Gossip, Criticism and Slander must be avoided.  Truth has to be told at all times. As Jesus said “Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.” Mathew 12:34
Righteousness is also seen in the way we treat one another. We must honor and be honest to our neighbors and friends. We must have proper attitude towards others. The righteous person serves God obediently and does not harm or talk slander about anyone. Speaking against others is in direct disobedience to the commandment to love one another (John 13:34-35).
David continues to instruct us the characteristics of the person who the Lord allows to be in His tabernacle and how mankind has to react to their creator. A child of God is true to his word, respects those who fear and honor God. He is able to recognize those who honor God and those that ignore God. The righteous person keeps his promises even when it’s no longer to his advantage. He serves God obediently and staying away from all sins.
Finally towards the end David emphasis on how to live righteously when it comes to money, as money is the root cause of evil. The righteous person when lending money to the poor and needy, should not be expecting anything in return, they should not be taking interest to the money borrowed to his fellow brothers, and not to take any sorts of bribe from anyone.
The truly righteous person when does all these things is secure forever, he is steadfast, unmovable, nothing can move him from his relationship with the Lord, he has his God in his right hand as his Sustainer.
This psalm answers the question of what makes up a true profession of faith, how to get strong and stay strong with Christ.

                                Prayer
Lord, open our hearts and mind to see the sins in my life that keeping my relationship away from You, and help me to confess and receive Your forgiveness. Help me to live a life that’s pleasing in your sight. Make me a humble person. Guide us to live according to your greatest command: Love God and love humanity with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength. Amen.

               
                            Shyla Varghese
                 St. Thomas MTC, New York

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