Set My Face Like A Flint

Isaiah 50:4-9

When a boss or a parent gives an assignment to their employee or child, they hope that it will be completed in a good, efficient, and well-done manner, even if it was something rather difficult.  The prophet Isaiah was one who was given an assignment or job from the Lord to do, and he readily performed and did what God had asked him to do.  Today’s Scripture comes from the Book of Isaiah, and contains a brief portion of his message to the people of Judah, most of which was prophetic, speaking about the coming Messiah.  Let’s take a look.

As our Scripture opens, Isaiah speaks about the Lord giving him a word to speak, a message to bring to the people (vs. 4).   The prophet readily acknowledges that his message and words are from God, not from his own thoughts or ideas.  When he spoke words of comfort and encouragement to the people, it was the Lord speaking through him.  As a word of prophecy, these words also apply to the Lord Jesus.  His message was from Yahweh, and though Jesus only had the standard education from the local rabbi until about age 12-13 that all working-class boys did in that day, the Lord gave Him the tongue of the learned.  The words of Jesus confounded even the learned Pharisees and Sadducees.  His words were also a comfort and encouragement to those who needed spiritual uplifting.

This is also something that, as believers, we can also do.  The Lord has commissioned each of us to bring His message to others.  As we trust in Him, God will give us the words to speak, words to uplift and comfort those who are hurting or need encouragement, and answers to those who have questions.

As Isaiah continued, he speaks of being obedient to what the Lord asked, and even speaks of persecution and physical attacks (vs. 5-6).  Though the Scriptures don’t specify any specific opposition or persecution that Isaiah endured, such as what Jeremiah did, there are legends from both Judaism and Christianity that evil King Manasseh had the prophet sawed in two when he was hiding from the king and his enemies inside a hollowed out tree.  There is a reference in the Book of Hebrews of unnamed believers enduring persecution and martyrdom, including being sawn in two (Hebrews 11:37), so perhaps that legend was an actual event.

Verses 5 and 6 have prophetic fulfillment in the Lord Jesus.  Jesus came to earth as the incarnate Son of God for a specific reason, that being to give His life on the Cross as sacrificial payment for our sins.  Being scourged by Roman soldiers, and then dying by crucifixion was a brutal and tortuous death.  Being not only fully divine, but also fully human, He had a natural dread in facing that, as we see when He prayed to the Father in the Garden of Gethsemane (Luke 22:41-44).  However, as Isaiah says here, Jesus was not rebellious, and did not turn away.  There are several Scriptures in the Old Testament that prophesy about the death of the Messiah, such as in Isaiah 53 and Psalm 22.  Verse 6 in our passage speaks of some of the cruel treatment that the Lord Jesus suffered at the hand of His enemies shortly prior to His crucifixion.  He was scourged and beaten, including having His beard brutally grabbed and ripped from His face, and spat upon.

As Isaiah finishes this Scripture passage, he relates how he determined that he would finish the task the Lord gave him, despite all opposition, no matter how harsh, the enemy gave him (vs. 7-9).  He knows that the Lord God is near and will help and justify him.  His adversaries may come and condemn, but he trusts God.  This also has fulfillment in the Lord Jesus.  The Savior knew what lay ahead for Him at the hands of the religious leaders in Jerusalem, yet He did not shirk or turn away.  As the prophet said, He set his face like a flint (vs. 7).  Jesus was determined to accomplish our salvation no matter how difficult it was.  He continued His mission despite the suffering, opposition, and suffering.  Jesus endured what He had to because He kept His eyes on the joy that was set before Him (Hebrews 12:2).

How about us?  Are we willing to faithfully fulfill the tasks that the Lord has given us?  Most of us aren’t likely to face martyrdom like Isaiah possibly did, we aren’t called to sacrifice our lives like Jesus did, however, if persecution does come our way, will we faithfully stand true, our faces set like flint?  We can trust that the Lord will be near us, and will justify and help us as He did for Isaiah and for the Lord Jesus.

Be Opened!

Mark 7:31-37

Being disabled in any way is tragic, particularly if one becomes blind or deaf, as without special training and aid, those disabilities can close one off from the world.  This was particularly the case in Biblical times.  This is particularly true with those who are deaf.  Without the ability to hear or speak, communication with others is more difficult, and then it is easier to become shut off from others in the community and the world.  In our Scripture for today we see a deaf and mute person brought by their loved ones to Jesus for healing.  Let’s take a look at this healing.

As our Scripture opens, Jesus had just left the area of Tyre and Sidon, which were two Gentile cities along the Mediterranean coast, in present day Lebanon.  He returned to the area around the Sea of Galilee, where most of His ministry had taken place.  When word got around that Jesus had returned, a family brought a loved one to Him, one who was deaf and mute.  At this time there was nothing that anyone could do for someone who was deaf.   There were no medical procedures that could be done, and no hearing aides.  If the deaf person was a child, there were no education opportunities for them, and any sign language was primitive, and likely only understood by the immediate family.  The world was effectively closed to them.

This family must have heard about all the different miracles that Jesus had performed for others.  He had healed the blind, giving them sight again.  He had healed lepers, making them “clean” again.  Jesus had fed multitudes with only food enough for one, He calmed storms, cast demons out, and many other miracles.  They desperately wanted a miracle for their own son, and begged Jesus to help (vs. 31-32).

For a moment, let’s look at this from the boy or young man’s perspective.  Being deaf for many years, perhaps his whole life, he could not hear what his family was saying when they would have been talking about Jesus.  He did not hear when they heard that Jesus was back in town, and that the family was hoping that perhaps He could help him.  If he had been blind, crippled, or any other illness, he would have heard their plans, and been told what they were going to do.  He would have heard all about Jesus, the miracles He had performed, and the message He preached.  Not this young man, though.  All of a sudden his family takes him by the arm, walks him through town, and up to this stranger.  They bring him forward, and then probably step back a bit.  He must have wondered what was going on.  Who is this Person, and why is my family handing me over to Him?  Why is there such a commotion?

Jesus realized this.  He had compassion on the deaf man, and realized he must be scared, or at least very confused.  So Jesus took the young man a short distance away from the crowds, and put His fingers in his ears, and also touched his tongue (vs. 33).  We wonder why Jesus would do such an odd thing.  Remember, being deaf, the young man did not know what was going on.  This was possibly a way for Jesus to let him know what He was going to do, a way of “signing” to him that He was going to heal his ears and speaking ability.  Then Jesus spoke one word, “Ephphatha”, which is an Aramaic or Chaldean word meaning “be opened” (vs. 34).

Immediately he is healed of his deafness and he has the ability to speak plainly.  He could hear, hear his family and loved ones’ voices, hear the sounds of the village, laughter, music, the sounds of nature.  His ears are now opened.  The world is opened to him, and with his ability to now speak, he is opened to the world.  He also now has the ability to hear for himself the message of Jesus and salvation.

Jesus then tells the family and those around to not go telling everyone of this miracle.  However they did not heed His wishes, and told everyone they met (vs. 36-37).  Showmen and magicians, along with tricksters and scammers, like to perform their tricks and shows in front of crowds.  Jesus had no desire to be viewed as a local showman.  Jesus often took the person He was ministering to away from the crowds.  By doing this in private, the Lord’s acts of compassion couldn’t be viewed as mere crowd pleasing gimmicks.  Jesus’ instructions against telling others disassociated His miracles from common tricks.  Jesus' purpose for healing was not to amuse and entertain crowds, but to bear witness to the power of God.

In closing, are you open to the Lord and His message?  Have you opened your heart to Jesus as your Savior?  Are you open for Him to use you in a special way in our family, church, and neighborhood?  As Jesus said to this young man, He says to us, as well, “Be opened!”

Godly Wisdom From James

James 1:17-27

The New Testament readings from the Lectionary in the Book of Common Prayer for the next several weeks come from the Book of James.  There were several men named James mentioned throughout the New Testament, such as James the son of Zebedee and brother of John, James the son of Alphaeus, and James the brother, step-brother, or cousin of Jesus and later leader of the church in Jerusalem. It is this latter James who is traditionally thought to be the author of the Epistle of James.  Our New Testament reading this week comes from the first chapter of James.  There is much that we can learn from his epistle to help us with our daily Christian life. Let's see what we can take in today.

As our Scripture opens, James tells us that God gives us, His children, good gifts, and that He brings good into our lives (vs. 17).   We might wonder at that, as many of us have gone through some rather difficult times in our lives.  When we look at some things that happen in our life, such as serious illness, financial struggles, problems with our children or spouse, etc., we wonder how this is “good”.   “Good” isn’t always the same as “pleasant”.  Sometimes what is good for us isn’t always pleasant.  We think of some nasty tasting medicine or a painful medical procedure.  Or think back to your parents telling you to eat some vegetable you really hated by saying “it is good for you”.  Discipline and punishment can be good for us, increasing our faith (Hebrews 12:11; Revelation 3:19).  We grow through hardship in ways we cannot grow through pleasant circumstances.

The Lord does, though, bring what we all would consider good things into our lives, too.  He blesses us daily with gifts such as what we see all around us each day - the bright sunshine, the gentle rain, the beautiful flowers, our pets and the little animals that scamper around our neighborhoods, our vision and hearing, etc.  These all come from the Lord as His gifts to us.  What do we need today?  Ask God.  He is the Father of Light, and every good and perfect gift comes directly from His hand.

As we continue in our Scripture James urges us to put away the filthy behavior of the world, and instead receive God’s Word into our lives (vs. 21).  As believers, we have inherited the spiritual wealth of God’s Kingdom, yet so many are subsisting on the garbage of the world!  They are controlled by all sorts of vices, choosing to live off the refuse of the world.  We have God’s Word of truth and the Holy Spirit at our disposal.  We have no excuse for groveling in the dirt of sin when the power of God is there for us.  Don’t act like a beggar in the garbage heap when we have God’s riches at our disposal.

Another important lesson that James seeks to teach us is to be a doer of the Word, and not just only a hearer (vs. 22-25).  Every day before we head out to start our day we usually look in the mirror to see if we look alright.  Is our hair nicely brushed?  Is our face clean?  Are our clothes straight?   If we see anything off, we correct it.  At least I hope we do!  Why look in a mirror if we don’t plan to change what is wrong?  This should be the same attitude we have when we read God’s Word.  We should look closely and act on what we read.  If we hear God’s Word without taking action we fool only ourselves.  Instead, as Christians we should examine ourselves in light of God’s Word, and obey His instructions.

Unfortunately there are some believers who are more obedient to their car’s GPS than they are to obey God’s Word, even being willing to drive into a pond or a building because the system told them that was the right move!  We need a heart that is ready and willing to follow Jesus!  Like the great old-time hymn says: “Trust and obey, for there’s no other way to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey!”

Who Can I Trust?

Psalm 146

Every four years we have a presidential election here in the United States.  There are other important elections during other years, such as for state governors, senators, etc.  Most other countries have various elections, as well.  We all hear these politicians' promises - they’re going to do this and that to help the economy, they will hold to certain foreign policies with other nations, they will get more jobs, help the poor and seniors, etc., etc.  Can we trust all of these promises?  Everywhere we turn we feel let down.  Corporate leaders are often dishonest, and everyone just wants to line their pockets with your money.  Who can we trust?  We find God’s answer in our psalm for today.  Let’s take a look.

The last several psalms in the Book of Psalms begin and end with praise to the Lord, and Psalm 146 is one of these.  The psalmist proclaims that as long as he is alive, he will praise the Lord (vs. 2).  He doesn’t give any exceptions.  He doesn’t say that as long as things are going fine in his life he’ll praise the Lord, as long as he has a good job and a nice, fat bank account.  He doesn’t say that he’ll only praise the Lord when his health is good, or when there is peace in the land.  The psalmist says that he will praise Him as long as he is alive.  Is that our thoughts and attitude, as well, or do we praise Him just when we receive an answer to our prayers or when we feel good?

Next, our psalmist makes a very noticeable and emphatic statement.  He tells us in verse 3 that we should not put our trust in princes.  The Hebrew word the psalmist used is “nadib”, and would refer to noble ones.  Many countries used to have nobility, and some still do.  They were people of high rank, but not the king or his immediate family.  They could be dukes, earls, barons, etc., princes of high rank.  Today we might include our politicians, our senators, congressmen, etc.  Our psalmist reminds us that we should not put all of our hope and trust in them for help, for there is no help in man.  They are only human, and they will die along with all of their plans and promises (vs. 4).  How many times have we put our trust in some politician or leader, believing their promises, only to be let down, their promises false and empty?  And even if they do end up being a good and honest leader, they won’t last forever.  They die and someone else takes their place, and not necessarily someone as good and honest.

However, the psalmist has some good news for us.  Our human leaders and politicians may not be all we hoped for, and may not provide the help that we need, but we can and will find help in the God of Jacob.  We can put our hope in Yahweh (vs. 5).   What makes God any more trustworthy than all human leaders?  The psalmist proceeds over the next several verses to enumerate reasons why we should turn to Him for our help and hope, listing many of His attributes (vs. 6-9).

First, Yahweh is the Creator of all, both on earth and throughout the universe.  Unlike most politicians, the Lord God is a God of truth.  He is Truth, and keeps His Word.  He brings justice to those that are unjustly oppressed, and provides for the needs of the poor and hungry.  He brings healing, both physically and emotionally, and watches over the helpless.  Our politicians and leaders may promise us this type of help, but only the Lord God can truly fulfill these promises and give this help.

Our psalmist reminds us that God cares deeply about the oppressed, the poor, prisoners, the blind, orphans and widows.  Psalm 146 reminds us that He is compassionate and serves as a model for us to follow.  If God cares about these vulnerable people, we should as well.

There are a lot of influencers out there wanting us to subscribe to their way of thinking.  However, we need to put Jesus Christ first in our life.  Though we are warned against trusting in man, we can put our trust in Jesus.   He will never lead us astray.  Those politicians don’t remember us when they get elected, but Jesus will remember us.  He won’t forget our name.  He won’t forget our circumstances.  Jesus won’t forget our prayers.

Hope For The Hopeless

Isaiah 35:4-7

Have you ever been down, really down, feeling that there was no hope for your condition or situation?  Perhaps you or someone you love has a devastating illness and the doctors say there is no hope.  Maybe you are in such dire financial straits that it is hopeless, as well.  Perhaps your marriage is falling apart.  Maybe the economy or the social conditions in the country are very bad.  Any of these can bring hopelessness, and hopelessness brings fear.  Many of the Israelites at the time of the Prophet Isaiah also lived in fear.  There were threats of war and safety from neighboring nations.  As in any society, there were numerous poor people, and then, due to the times of the Old Testament, illness frequently led to death.  God gave the prophet messages for the people, to bring them comfort and hope. Today’s Scripture is one small portion of such a message.

As our brief Scripture passage opens, we see the Lord tell the Prophet Isaiah to tell the people not to be afraid or filled with fear, but instead to be strong, for the Lord will come with a vengeance and save them from whatever is oppressing them, other nations and ultimately Satan (vs 4).  We read here both a prophecy and a promise.  This is a prophecy of the coming of the Messiah, and the promises that He fulfilled in His life.

Isaiah proceeds to tell the people that at the time when the Lord comes, bringing salvation, referring to the time of the coming of the promised Messiah, there will be physical healings manifested, specifically healing of the blind, of the deaf, the mute, and of crippled people (vs. 5-6).  Though there are numerous miraculous events recorded in the Old Testament, there are not many physical healings recorded, and no mention of the blind or the deaf being healed.  When the prophet would have given this message from God, it would have been a glorious wonder, as someone who had gone blind or deaf had no hope.  Their condition was a life sentence back then, as no matter how skilled a doctor might have been in the days of the Bible, there was nothing anyone could do for someone who went blind, and especially who was born blind.  It was the same with the deaf.  Depending on how badly one was crippled, one might be able to get around with crutches or have limited mobility.  However all of these people would likely spend their lives begging for their daily needs and sustenance.  Now there was the promise that the Messiah would bring sight to the blind and hearing to the deaf.  The Messiah would heal the crippled so that they could run and leap just like a deer could!  Those who could not speak would be able to sing forth.

Even a quick reading of the Gospels show that Jesus healed folks with these ailments numerous times.  Jesus healed blind Bartimaeus outside of Jericho (Mark 10:46-52).  He healed a blind man while in Bethsaida (Mark 8:22-26).  And then quite notably, Jesus healed a man who was born blind (John 9).  We also read in the Gospels that Jesus healed people who were deaf.  One such instance is recorded in Mark 7:31-37.   There were a number of people who were crippled and the Lord healed them, including some who were probably paralyzed.  One was a man confined to a bed, and his friends brought him to Jesus, going so far as to lower him through the roof because of the crowds (Luke 5:17-26).  Another was when Jesus healed a crippled, possibly paralyzed, man who had been in that condition for 38 years (John 5:1-15).  These were sure indications to the people that Jesus was fulfilling prophecies of the coming Messiah, as no one but the Messiah would be able to perform such miracles.

Another miracle that the Lord foretold through Isaiah was turning the desert into pools of water (vs. 6-7).  There are times that our hearts feel like a desert.  Isaiah prophesied of the coming of Jesus who gives living water to all who trust in Him (John 7:37-39).  He gives us the Holy Spirit.  Even in our driest times the Holy Spirit is with us, sustaining us, strengthening us, and keeping us in Christ.

Even in the worst of times, times when it would seem that all hope and trust is gone, we can still trust in God.  He will come for us.  He loves us, and just like a father will do all he can for his child, God, who has all power, will work on our behalf.

What Will Spill Out?

Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 20-23

If I have a glass of milk, and I knock it over, is coffee going to come out?  No, only milk will.  If I am carrying a bag of apples, and I trip and fall, what will come out of the bag?  Only apples, not peaches or pears.  Similarly, what will spill forth from my heart during a time of high emotion?  The answer is whatever I have put in my heart.  This is the subject of what the Lord Jesus taught in today’s Scripture from the Gospel of Mark.  Let’s see what we can learn from His Words.

As our Scripture passage opens, the Pharisees and scribes came to Jesus to criticize some of His disciples because they had not gone through the specific religious ritual of elaborate hand washing that the orthodox Pharisees went through before they ate (vs. 1-5).  The Pharisees and scribes had all sorts of elaborate, detailed, and intricate rituals that they went through for many daily activities, including hand-washing and washing of dishes, etc.   They had a great number of rules and regulations that were not found in the Old Testament Law, traditions which they had come up with on their own, and which they kept and insisted that others keep, as well.  Now they were condemning Jesus and His disciples for not following these man-made rules and traditions.

What was Jesus’ response to these accusations?   He did not say, “Oops, we’re wrong!  We’ll do better next time, and be careful to follow your regulations.”  No, instead Jesus quotes from the prophet Isaiah (Isaiah 29:13), where He condemns how they pretend to honor the Lord, but instead are promoting man-made commandments rather than God’s Word (vs. 6-8).   Jesus confronted all of the traditions that were practiced by the Pharisees and religious leaders.  Some of these traditions had started with good intentions, some even initially being based on Scripture.  However, over the years they expanded into layers of empty ritual.  By the time of the Gospels, the Pharisees were putting more emphasis on keeping these man-made traditions and rituals rather than God’s Law.

Jesus proceeded to teach those around Him that it wasn’t by failing to keep these rituals that someone became “unclean” or “defiled”.  Whether one goes through certain rituals, or keeps certain traditions or not doesn’t make one holy or not.  It doesn’t make one a sinner or a righteous person.  Jesus taught that it was what was in our hearts that made us defiled or not (vs. 14-15).    The religious rituals that we do on the outside are not nearly as important as the condition of our heart.  What really defiles a person is what is in their hearts, not what they eat or what rituals they follow.

Jesus rebuked the false worship of the scribes and Pharisees, and their outward show, but inside having a hard of heart.  Substituting for real worship of God has been a problem for ages.  Human-created religious traditions lead people to praise God outwardly, but without having a heart for God.  Rituals often take the place of genuine faith.  How many times have we seen a person who “acts religious” in church on Sunday, but they go home and the rest of the week they act like a demon to their family and neighborhood?  We’ve seen people who might lead a prayer in church or at the dinner table, but an hour later they are cursing up a blue streak.  Something is wrong there!   However, Jesus said that what comes out of us is what is in our heart.  If our heart is filled with evil thoughts and words, then that is what will spill out (vs. 20-23).

When we come up against trouble, we need to remember that only what is in us will spill out.  When we are mistreated, do we respond with love or with anger and retaliation?  Do we quickly lash out at the littlest things, or do we have a song of praise continually in our heart?  How we respond is a test as to how close a walk we have with Jesus.  If our heart is full of the Savior’s love, we will respond with patience and kindness when someone rubs us the wrong way or we face one of life’s trials.  Remember, what is on the inside of us is what is going to spill over onto the outside.

Weapons For Battle

Ephesians 6:10-20

One would never think of sending one’s soldiers off to war, off to do battle against the enemy, without equipping them for the fight.  If our country is involved in a war or battle somewhere, we want our soldiers to be well equipped with the best weapons and protective gear.  We assume that the enemy is well equipped, so it only makes sense to ensure that our troops are also equipped and trained in using the best that we can give them.  This goes not only for physical warfare, but also for spiritual warfare, as our Scripture for today highlights.  Let’s look into this Scripture to see how and why we should be equipped for battle.

What do we mean by spiritual warfare?  Just as in the physical world various countries and people will sometimes face warfare from another country, there is an unseen battle going on between the Kingdom of God and the Kingdom of Darkness, the powers of Satan and his demons.  Satan and his demons will often intervene in human affairs and fight against believers and their work for the Lord, including using God’s enemies to actually attack them.  They also use depression, nightmares, fear, and anxiety to undermine believers and their service to God.

God has not left us unequipped, like a soldier left behind enemy lines without any weapons or means to defend themselves.  The Apostle Paul, in writing to the Ephesian church, gave us a list of weapons that the Lord God has given us in fighting in this battle against the powers of darkness.  And just as a soldier in physical warfare is instructed on how to use each piece of weaponry so that he is not left a sitting duck for the enemy, we also need to know what our weapons are, and how and when to use them.  Believers can learn this by studying the Scriptures.

Our first piece of weaponry to put on is a belt of truth (vs. 14).  This belt of truth will protect us against Satan, who is the chief deceiver and liar.  Jesus called Satan the father of lies (John 8:44).  We need to wrap ourselves in God’s truth, which is found in His Word, the Bible.  The next piece is the breastplate of righteousness (vs. 14).  An ancient breastplate would be like a bulletproof vest today.  If we are depending upon our own righteousness against the attacks of Satan and his hordes, we are going without the breastplate.  We must take hold of the righteousness of Jesus, which we receive when we are saved, and it will protect us from enemy attacks.

A soldier needs proper shoes or boots when going out to battle, and we need the same.  God’s Word tells us that our feet must be prepared to bring the Gospel of peace (vs. 15).  We must be at peace with our brothers and sisters in the Lord, and ready to go wherever the Lord calls us.  Another piece of weaponry, an important one, is our shield of faith (vs. 16).  In ancient warfare one’s shield was vitally important.  We are to use our faith to quench the fiery darts that Satan uses to attack us.  We must use this daily, for the Word of God says it will quench all, not some, but all of the fiery darts of the wicked.  We need to take up our authority by faith, and watch every attack be put out as we apply our faith in Jesus Christ.

Proper protection of one’s head in battle is very important, thus we need to put on our helmet, too.  God has given us the helmet of salvation (vs. 17).  Satan frequently attacks our mind with his lies and wicked thoughts.  We must cover our mind with the knowledge of God’s salvation given us through the Blood of His Son.  The only offensive weapon we have been given is the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God (vs. 17).  When Satan came against Jesus, the only thing He used to fend off those temptations was quoting Scripture.  We need to use God’s Word against the devil, too.

A very important weapon or tool that we have in our battle against the kingdom of darkness is our direct connection to God (vs. 18).  Soldiers depend on their contact with the command posts, and believers need to keep in constant communication with the Lord through our prayers.  When we are in the midst of battle we always need to be in prayer.  Prayer will keep us on the right course and keep us steady in the fight.

One important thing to remember in our battles against Satan is that he is a defeated adversary, defeated forever at the Cross of Calvary.  While he is a powerful foe, those who are protected by salvation, prayer, and the Word of God, need not be paralyzed in fear at this roaring lion (I Peter 5:8; James 4:7).  No evil can penetrate the armor of God.  With God’s armor on, we can pray with confidence, knowing He will deliver us from the schemes of the evil one (Matthew 6:13).  God’s Word, which is truth, exposes the lies of the devil, and His armor overcomes fear.

Integrity

Psalm 15

Let me share with you a legend from Ancient Greece.  It is about the Ancient Greek philosopher Diogenes, who lived from 412 BC - 323 BC.  As the legend goes, Diogenes traveled around Greece and the known world in his day, carrying a lantern.  When asked what he was doing, he replied that he was looking for an honest man.  After several years he returned to his home disappointed, for his search had been a failure.  He had not been able to find someone who was completely honest.  In our psalm for this week, David reveals that those who dwell with the Lord must be honest and righteous, the type of man that Diogenes was looking for.

Our psalm begins with David asking the Lord a question.  He asks the Lord who are those who dwell in fellowship with Him, who are those who “dwell in Your holy hill?” (vs. 1).  The four verses that follow are the answer.  They are upright and righteous, speaking the truth (vs. 2).  They don’t speak harshly, but instead their words are truthful and pure (vs. 3).  Their friends and associates are similar people.  They don’t associate with evil people.  They are true to their word (vs. 4).  They also care for the poor, and lend to them without interest (vs. 5).

This describes a man or woman with integrity.  Integrity is having strong moral principles, and having genuine integrity is a rare virtue today.  A person with integrity is loyal and consistent, not fickle and erratic.  He doesn’t bring difficulty on others.  He doesn’t use sharp, cutting, or scornful speech about others.  He is honest, but gentle with his honesty.  A person with integrity is not friends with worthless, reprobate people.  Any association he would have with them would be for the purpose of evangelism.

On the other hand, a person with integrity loves those who live godly lives.  They honor those who fear the Lord, but reject those who despise Him.  He performs what he promised, and keeps his word, even when it is to their disadvantage.  His word is his bond.  This person is generous to those in need without charging interest or wanting a reward, and they are not tempted to ever take a bribe.

When we look at the qualities of character that one must show in order to be a person of Psalm 15 we might feel that this is an impossibility, and we would be correct.  In our own strength we cannot.  Only the Lord Jesus Christ has perfectly kept this list of qualities.  When we accept the Lord Jesus as our Savior, we receive His righteousness.  We also receive the Holy Spirit, and through His power we become more like Jesus.

In closing, truly honest people are not easy to find.  However, it is one trait that is very important.  It is one of the marks of a person of God.  Are we trustworthy and honorable?  Are our words the truth?  As believers, those who carry the Name of the Savior, we should live with integrity, and make the truth an integral part of our nature.  We should live in such a way that when others think of honesty and integrity, they think of us!