Scripture

“O Lord, who may abide in your tent?  Who may dwell on your holy hill?” Psalm 15:1

Reflections

Are you “the churchgoing type”?

Many do not darken the doors of a church because they do not see themselves as models of the godly life.  They are keenly aware of their shortcomings.  They see those who go to church as very different from themselves.  If not that, they see them as total hypocrites.

Psalm 15:1 poses a question, “Who may abide in God’s presence?”  It also gives the answer, “Those who walk blamelessly, do what is right, speak the truth from their heart, etc.”  We’re left convicted.  On our own, we do not merit being in God’s presence.  None of us are the perfect model of the godly life.

But there is a twist with this psalm.  When the writer spoke of “abiding in your tent”, he was talking about being in God’s presence in the tabernacle, the tent understood as the place where God dwelt.  When we read about Jesus in the Gospel according to John, we find something profoundly different.  Instead of us approaching the presence of God, God chose to come to us and “tabernacle” with us through Jesus (Jn. 1:14).  We are not worthy to approach God and yet God chose to come to us through Jesus.  God knows we’re imperfect weak sinful human beings.  Still, he loves us enough to come to us through Jesus.

Prayer

Lord God, thank you for coming to me, a sinful human being, and dwelling among humanity through Jesus Christ.  Help me to share this good news with those who feel unworthy.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Full Reading: Psalm 15