The Ten-Plus-Five’s

Psalm 15, 45, 75, 105, 135

Here is a recipe for godly living (Ps 15). Notice how many actions are connected to the description of someone who can be in God’s presence. Walk, do, speak, despise, honor, lends. There are both positive and negative things, do and don’t do things, on this list. Some things are present in the heart before they hit the ground. Some things hit the ground running. They affect the way we deal with other people and how we react to evil. They even deal with how we take care of the weakest and most vulnerable. These are not things we do to gain entrance into God’s presence, but things that we do because we are in God’s presence (v1). As Jesus-followers we live there already. Jesus bought our entrance ticket. Live like it!

Psalm 45 sounds, at first, like a song sung to the king to boost his ego. And then the object of these words bursts through in verse six. These things are sung about God, and not ultimately about an earthly king. They imperfectly apply to the earthly king, and perfectly to our heavenly King. And then an even greater surprise: the words are written as a way to help persuade a young woman to accept an arranged marriage. All the benefits of marrying this man are laid out before her in hopes she will accept her new position as Mrs. King. Despite Valentine’s Day, love has not always been the driving factor in marriage and relationships.

The writer of Psalm 75 wants to leave no doubt about who is in charge here on earth (v7). Even if we think we are in charge, our little corner of God’s world is still under God’s control. God even uses humanity’s evil for His glory. We might be able to get away with evil for a period of time, but judgment is coming one day (v8). God has spoken. He will cut off the source of our power of those who don’t submit to Him and bring judgment. But He will raise up to positions of power those who acknowledge His authority in their lives.

We need to become God’s megaphone (Ps 105). We are to declare the LORD’s acts and character to the world. Specific times when the LORD intervened need to be told. We don’t need to invent things to talk about. We need to just tell what the LORD has done throughout history, and what He has done in our lives. We are recipients of His promise (v42), so we can expect the LORD to work in our lives as well.

The LORD does what pleases Him (Ps 135:6). This simple statement summarizes not only who the LORD is, but also His interactions with His creation. Nothing outside Himself constrains His actions. This is contrasted with manmade idols (vv15-17). Idols have no ability to do anything, since they are made by us. And if we trust in them, we become them, mute and deaf. We don’t speak truth or hear truth. And if we aren’t doing this, then we are speaking and hearing lies. Truth lasts forever, adds value, enriches. Lies subtract and impoverish those who allow their message to dominate them.

Day 204

1 Timothy 4

Instruction for godly living 

Key Verses: 4, 7, 12, 13

I find it amazing that things change so little over the centuries. Mormonism was started by just such a person. Like many in his age he was a spiritualist, believing that spirits wanted to communicate with him as medium. And demons did communicate with him through an elaborate scheme which ended in a new cult and tens of millions deceived. Multiple wives, magical glasses, ancient languages, mysterious teachings, hidden truths. These make up the stuff of fables.

 Watch out when you hear people restricting their diet because of religious reasons, especially if they claim Christ as their Lord. Everything is OK to eat as a Christian. All foods are acceptable, but not all foods are good for you. Some of us must watch our caloric intake. But there are no religious prohibitions on certain foods. Meat is OK. Lobster is OK. So, watch for those who want to put restrictions on your diet in the name of Christ.

There are other things that can get you sidetracked in your walk as a Jesus-follower. Paul called them godless myths and old wives’ tales. In contrast Paul says our energies need to be concentrated on training ourselves to be godly. Our time, energy and concentration need to be focused toward this goal, not chasing unimportant trivia.

I think our culture in particular gets pulled away from training in godliness through the trap of entertainment. I am guilty of this trap. I spend hours watching movies and old TV shows. Many get hooked on internet games and challenges. Some push the outdoor sports and recreation beyond their proper limits. Heading to the lake replaces heading to church. We vegetate rather than contemplate. Even good things can get out of balance.

There are five areas Paul outlines in verse twelve that should be the focus of our spiritual disciplines, in contrast to the wasteful pursuits. Speech, conduct, love, faith and purity. One of particular note jumps out of this list: speech. I our day and age where people are “free” to be individuals, freedom has pushed beyond proper limits. Would you want every word you speak to be broadcast for future generations, or perhaps future employers to judge you by?

Our words represent our inner character. If our language sounds like the language of the world, cursing, swearing, degrading, in short, falling downward rather than inspiring to aim higher, perhaps we need to rethink our language. “But everyone talks like this!” But we are not everyone. We represent Jesus who denied Himself for us. He gave up his right to do as He pleased. We can do the same.