Deceivers

I will not allow deceivers to serve in my house, and liars will not stay in my presence. My daily task will be to ferret out the wicked and free the city of the Lord from their grip. Psalm 101: 7-8 NLT

These to verses beg the question: how?

The psalmist is repeating the same idea in the first verse as deceivers and liars mean the same as do the words house and presence. The question about how to recognize deception and keep those liars out still goes unanswered.

And if the daily job is to get rid of the wicked in the entire city, it sounds like too big a task for one person! Will they be walking softly and carrying a big stick or what? Is this the psalmist police speaking?

The whole psalm, especially these last two verses, sound more like a pledge one makes to God. Perhaps you would not consider it a promise or even a vow but an attempt to tell God how you will live right in God's eyes on a daily basis. Perhaps these words of promise are not to be taken cut and dried literally but more figuratively. These are words that show the person is trying to be the best person God calls them to be. Therefore no deceivers will be hanging around them and whenever it is possible, the psalmist will rid God's city of evil: beginning with himself.

God, help me to rid of the evil in my own heart and the deceiving I have in my own mind. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Copyright 2012 Amelia G. Sims

My Companions

I will search for faithful people to be my companions. Only those who are above reproach will be allowed to serve me. Psalm 101: 6 NLT

We have been talking in my church lately about how to reach the unchurched: those who either don't know Christ or have rejected Church. One of the points we have made is that the longer we are Christians, the less likely we will have contact with the unchurched or any nonChristian.

If we follow verse 6 of Psalm 101, we certainly won't have contact with anyone who is unchurched.

If you only hang out with faithful people, you will not be able to spread the message of Christ. Certainly, it is helpful to have Christian brothers and sisters to hold us up in our daily walk. But are we to be exclusive in our companionship? How will we ever establish relationships with those who are unchurched if we don't invite them to be our companions?

In fact, I begin to wonder if the psalmist will have anyone serving him. Why talk about those who serve you? Sounds like a rich snob to me!

Not sure I would want this person to be my companion.

God, you want us to be true to you yet you ask us to spread the good news. Help us to walk this fine line in your sight. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Copyright 2012 Amelia G. Sims

Living Pure

I will refuse to look at anything vile and vulgar. I hate all who deal crookedly; I will have nothing to do with them. I will reject perverse ideas and stay away from every evil. I will not tolerate people who slander their neighbors. I will not endure conceit and pride. Psalm 101: 3-5 NLT

I don't know about you, but the psalmist in Psalm 101 seems to be painting himself into a corner. He won't see, hear or speak evil. Where is he to live? Where will he work? How will he interact in the real world with real people and messy situations?

In today's world, you can refuse to look at the news because of all the violence and cruelty pictured in it. But how will you know what is going on around you? Can you even vote with integrity if you don't know what the world is like? Will you know how to pray if you isolate yourself from the world?

Sure, you can hate those who don't have honest business practices. But are you really going to be able to have nothing to do with them?

Rejecting perverse ideas is a good thought but is it not better to understand them in order to really know where your own ideas stand?

Yes, please stay away from evil as much as possible but some evils cannot be avoided.

Not tolerating people who slander their neighbors sounds like someone who would have stood up for justice during the Civil Rights era. However, the psalmist makes it sound more like building a fence so you won't have to look at your neighbor.

And saying you won't endure conceit and pride sounds ...well... conceited and prideful.

God, we want to be pure in our lives and our minds yet you require us to live in this world. Deliver us from evil. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Copyright 2012 Amelia G. Sims

A Blameless Life

I will sing of your love and justice, Lord. I will praise you with songs. I will be careful to live a blameless life – when will you come to help me? I will lead a life of integrity in my own home.

Psalm 101: 1-2 NLT

I will be careful to live a blameless life – when will you come to help me?

The psalmist, like all of us, realizes that he wants to live a righteous life. But he is unable to do so on his own. He has the desire to do right but not the complete ability. He wants to live in a sinless way. Yet, he finds that he continues to sin.

Do you desire to live a blameless life?

If so, are you living such a life?

I, too, want to live blamelessly. But the minute that thought crosses my mind, I find myself in some sinful situation or action or word.

Does God want us to be sinless?

Or does God simply want us to desire to be blameless?

Can God help us live sinlessly?

Or would that take away our free will?

I will try my best to have a life of integrity in my own home. And I will depend on God's mercy and grace giving to me through Christ when I fall short.

God, I desire to live a blameless life and have integrity in my own home. Help me when I fall short and uphold my sincere desire. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Copyright 2012 Amelia G. Sims