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LORD, who may dwell in your sacred tent? Who may live on your holy mountain? The one whose walk is blameless, who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth from their heart; whose tongue utters no slander, who does no wrong to a neighbor, and casts no slur on others; who despises a vile person but honors those who fear the LORD; who keeps an oath even when it hurts, and does not change their mind; who lends money to the poor without interest; who does not accept a bribe against the innocent. Whoever does these things will never be shaken. (Psalm 15)

Who may dwell in the presence of the Lord? \xa0The Psalmist gives a pretty high bar in response. \xa0

If we examine ourselves against this list, we might very well find that we\u2019ve done a good job in some areas: we keep our promises perhaps, have never accepted a bribe. \xa0But even if we\u2019ve not transgressed some of those narrow statements, who of us can really say that we\u2019re blameless? \xa0The Scriptures would tell us that none of us are. \xa0And if we think we are, then we\u2019ve deceived ourselves. \xa0

But if that\u2019s the case, then who may dwell in the presence of the Lord at all? \xa0It seems a hopeless question. \xa0

And yet, the Psalms are not the law. \xa0The Psalms are prayers. \xa0They are worship. \xa0Liturgy. \xa0The Psalms are spoken at the sanctuary, in worship: in the presence of the Lord. \xa0And so this psalm cannot be a judicial decree that bars us all from entrance: somehow it must mean to tell us something different.

Perhaps flipping our understanding around a bit might help. \xa0What if instead of an entrance exam, this psalm is more like the guide for grateful living in a worship service, or the call to discipleship? \xa0As we gather in the presence of the Lord, we recognize that the only way we stand in his presence at all is because of what he has done in inviting us, saving us: calling us his own. \xa0

Far from the fear and death produced by the law we\u2019ll never measure up to, God\u2019s underserved gift of grace has the power to transform us. \xa0God\u2019s gracious invitation produces gratitude within us\u2014a thankfulness for what he\u2019s done. \xa0The focus shifts from our own inadequacy, to his generosity. \xa0From ourselves as the centre of the story, to God at the centre.

Hearing these words today as Christians, we recognize in this invitation an invitation to respond to the gift of Jesus by being transformed into the likeness of Jesus. \xa0In the name of Jesus and because of his gift, we gather in the sanctuary of God. \xa0We may dwell with God now even as the Spirit dwells within us. \xa0All the actions this psalm speaks were carried out by Jesus perfectly: he was blameless. \xa0And his blamelessness is now our own. \xa0

We are those people who may dwell in the presence of God now. \xa0And we are now those people who will never be shaken. \xa0But we are also those people who are invited to work out the gift that Jesus has worked into us. \xa0We are invited to live like he did: to do what is righteous, speak the truth, love our neighbours, lend to the poor, and keep our promises even when it hurts. \xa0

We do these things as a grateful response to the gift of righteousness that we have received in Christ. \xa0And we can do them, because belonging to God, we know that we will never be shaken.

As you journey on, go with the blessing of God: \xa0 \xa0

May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you : wherever he may send you.
May he guide you through the wilderness : protect you through the storm.
May he bring you home rejoicing : at the wonders he has shown you.\xa0
May he bring you home rejoicing : once again into our doors.