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The Pilgrim Path (5-12-2020)

The Pilgrim Path---Psalm 15 (5--12--20)

O LORD, who shall sojourn in your tent? Who shall dwell on your holy hill? He who speaks blamelessly and does what is right and speaks truth in his heart; who does not slander with his tongue and does no evil to his neighbor; nor takes up a reproach against his friend; in whose eye a vile person is despised, but who honors those who fear the LORD; who swears to his own hurt and does not change; who does not put out his money at interest and does not take a bribe against the innocent. He who does these things shall never be moved.

WHO WILL DWELL ON THE LORD'S HOLY HILL?

---v. 1---Commune with the LORD? Call Zion their Home? As Spurgeon would say, only The Lord Jesus Christ and those "conformed to His image"---will get to have an address in Heaven. This comes by grace through faith---no other way. Trusting Jesus---You change, from the inside---out...

---v. 2---Character matters: talk talks / and your walk talks / but your "walk" talks louder than your talk "talks"...think about it. Conversation resonates from the heart---words mean something...And you know you are responsible for them.

---v. 3--- Crushing with the tongue--- is not a "pastime" you enjoy. Spurgeon: "The tongue is not steel, but it cuts, and its wounds are very hard to heal; its worst wounds are not with the edge to our face, but with its back when our head is turned." John Trapp: "the tale-bearer carries the devil in his tongue, and the tale-hearer carries the devil in his hear." By the grace of God, you hope to convey life to hearers.

---v. 4---Considering people: you do not envy--- or pay homage to the vile or worldly wise. Spurgeon: "When bad men are in office, it is our duty to respect the office, but we cannot so violate our consciences as to do otherwise than contemn the men; and on the other hand, when true saints are in poverty and distress, we must sympathize with their afflictions and honor the men none the less." Convictions---must be maintained---even if it seems it may "cost" us in this world---for the LORD is taking note...But the LORD takes care of His own.

---v. 5---Channels of blessing: the whole idea of money in the text---is that You be a means of grace to others. Calvin points out, "...usuries are condemned in so far as they involve in them, or lead to, a license of robbing or plundering our fellow men." Cannot--- ever be known for bribery---my, how useful a text for all halls of government. God Help us all.

---v. 5---Continuing like this---you shall never be moved. Why---certainly not---as Henry Scougal would point out, "this is the life of God in the soul of man." John Trapp: "Moved he may be for a time, but not removed for ever. His soul is bound up in the bundle of life, near unto the throne of glory..."

"This standard not only challenges us but also reminds us we can go to God only through his grace. No one but Jesus ever lived with perfect integrity (Hebrews 4: 15), but because he is our Savior, we can go in to God (Hebrews 4: 16)." Tim Keller

In our weakness and distress,

Rock of strength, be Thou our stay;

In the pathless wilderness,

Be our true and living way.

Keep us faithful, keep us pure,

Keep us evermore Thine own;

Help, O help us to endure;

Fit us for the promised crown.

Henry Downton (1818--1885)

Grace & Peace in Jesus Our Lord, Pastor Jason