Who gets invited to dinner with God? That is the question
David asks and answers in Psalm 15. Verse 1 asks the questions: “God, who gets
invited to dinner at your place? How do we get on your guest list?” [The Message] Then David goes on to
answer the question in the next four verses.
I looked at the answers and tried to honestly evaluate how I
would measure up. It was a humbling experience. I looked at the answers in two
versions of Scripture, The Message
and the New American Standard Bible (NASB).
The first criteria is to “walk straight” or “walk with
integrity.” The best I could say about my efforts in this area is that I try to
walk with integrity. I don’t always do what I say I’m going to do so I can’t
say I do this perfectly. I try to be true to my word and do what I say I’m
going to do and I try not to say I’ll do something then not follow through on
it. One example where I have failed is in promising God to memorize His
Scripture. I am just not very good at following through on that commitment.
The next criteria for being invited to God’s house for
dinner is “act right” or “work righteousness.” Again, the best I can say is I
try. I’m so thankful for God’s mercy and forgiveness that we have in Jesus.
Without it, I would never get invited to God’s place because I do fail to act
right, mostly I fail to even think about what right acting would look like.
Next is to “tell the truth” or “speak truth.” I was able to
honestly say that I do this most of the time. Again, I’m not perfect and I’m
thankful for God’s forgiveness and for the opportunities to try to improve upon
it. But for the most part I say what I mean and I mean what I say. I don’t
spread lies about other people and I try to only speak that which is true.
Sometimes I don’t know what the truth is. In those cases, I try not to speak at
all.
Another criteria is “don’t hurt your friend” or “does not
slander with the tongue.” I don’t think I do that. I try to look at the
positives in people and I’m cautious about saying bad things about another
person. Another aspect of this criteria is “not taking up a reproach.” I’m not
sure what that means, but it sounds to me like it means not spreading a bad
rumor (or even the bad truth) about another person. I have to be careful to not
be involved in spreading gossip and rumors. I don’t do it often but I can be
lulled into thinking I’m just sharing a prayer request but may be spreading a
rumor.
In verse 3 it also mentions that we shouldn’t “blame a
neighbor” or “do evil to a neighbor.” I like to think I take personal
responsibility for things that happen in my life. I don’t place blame on others
when I’m at fault. But I also need to be careful not to place blame on others
when it’s not my fault. I should let God decide where the blame goes.
Verse 4 says, as another criteria, “despise the despicable”
or “despise reprobate and honor those who fear God.” I’m at fault here.
Sometimes I laugh at a dirty joke or go along with watching less than godly
television shows and movies. That’s not despising the despicable. It’s
condoning the despicable things. I need to evaluate where and when I do this
and try to change my ways. After all, I’d rather be invited to God’s place than
watch a questionable show.
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