A Tremendously Important Question

Psalm 15:1

From the days of our early childhood we learned by asking questions. But the answer had to be correct or we were deceived, and instead of being instructed we were misled. The question had therefore to be asked of one who had the correct answer, and could be trusted. And a most important question is the one we find in Psalm 15:1, namely, "O Lord, Who shall abide in Thy tabernacle? Who shall dwell in Thy holy hill?''

The significance of dwelling with God in His house is expressed in one of the versifications of this Psalm in these words:

Who, O Lord, with Thee abiding,
In Thy house shall be Thy guest?
Who his feet to Zion turning,
In Thy holy hill shall rest?

We may note two words in this versification that explain the question. Dwelling in God's house is being His guest and enjoying a heavenly rest.

We all look for physical rest, for we are all weary, because we lie under the curse, having fallen into sin in Adam. And we all, therefore, consider the psalmist's question one of great importance. But consider it in the light of Jesus' words in Matthew 11:28, "Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."  Our deepest concern should be that heavy load of sin, which we carry with us and strive to get rid of and want removed. From that point of view we do have a tremendously important question.

Is that your question? So far today, how heavy has that load of sin felt? And do you really want to get rid of that load of guilt as well as that force of sin that is within you?

To be sure, you want to get from under the punishment of sin that has been upon this world since Adam fell. But do you want to get from under the power and drive of sin that is in your flesh?

You cannot be a guest in God's house as long as you walk in, think, and will sin. The question is whether your sins bother you. If they do, this question of the psalmist will be very important to you. If not, you will be satisfied to dwell in the tents of wickedness.

Read: Psalm 15 
Psalter versification: #24:1

Daily Meditations on the Heidelberg Catechism

Song for Meditation: Psalter #412
Why not sing along?

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Through the Bible in One Year
Read today:
Leviticus 7:28-38 ; Leviticus 8 ; Leviticus 9:1-6 
Mark 3:31-35 ; Mark 4:1-25 
Psalm 37:12-29 
Proverbs 10:5 
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Quote for Reflection:

“We must each of us, in our several places, serve the Lord and consecrate our service to Him, separate it from other things that are foreign and interfere with it, and direct and design it for the honor and glory of God. We must make the service of God our business, must fill our hands to the Lord, so the Hebrew phrase is. Those who engage themselves in the service of God will have their hands full; there is work enough for the whole man in that service. The filling of our hands with the service of God intimates that we must serve Him only, serve Him liberally, and serve Him in the strength of grace derived from Him.” --M. Henry