A Life Pleasing to God

Today we are looking at Psalm 15 where David asks and answers the question, “Who can be in God’s presence?”. It is an intimidating and scary question to ask, but also encouraging when we know the answer. We are going to look at the topic of what it means to live a life pleasing to God. Let’s start off with prayer.

God, I desire and need Your presence. I want to live a life that is pleasing to You, but I need Your help and guidance. Please help me to have the strength to live a life that is a reflection of You. Open my eyes to the things I need to change and please forgive me for the ways I fail. Thank You for Your grace and mercy in my life. Amen.

Psalm 15 (NLT)

Who may worship in your sanctuary, Lord?

 1 Who may enter your presence on your holy hill?

2 Those who lead blameless lives and do what is right,

    speaking the truth from sincere hearts.

3 Those who refuse to gossip

    or harm their neighbors

    or speak evil of their friends.

4 Those who despise flagrant sinners,

    and honor the faithful followers of the Lord,

    and keep their promises even when it hurts.

5 Those who lend money without charging interest,

    and who cannot be bribed to lie about the innocent.

Such people will stand firm forever.

When I look at the requirements found in Psalm 15, of who can enter the presence of God, my initial reaction is to disqualify myself immediately. Do you feel the same way? Do you look at the standards required and disqualify yourself from experiencing God’s presence? Here’s the good news; we have a Savior who is by our side helping us to become more like Him. We aren’t alone on this journey! This psalm should cause us to examine ourselves and to see the standards that God sets before us. As we look at these standards, it should cause us to examine our lives and see what areas we need to change.  

So, what do we do once we see the areas we need to change? We RUN to Jesus. We ask Jesus to forgive us for the ways we fall short and ask the Holy Spirit to empower us to change. That is what a relationship with God is all about. When we are in a healthy relationship with God, we are consistently seeking after God, asking Him to show us areas of our life that need to change, and then being willing to make changes in our life to become more like Him. Today’s passage of scripture is giving us very practical steps to live a life that reflects God:

• Live with integrity
• Speak kindly and refrain from gossiping
• Love others
• Hate sin
• Have good character and keep your word
• Be generous
• Speak truth

Which one of these steps is most difficult for you? What changes do you need to make in your life to grow in that area?

After thinking about the answers to those questions, spend some time asking God to forgive of the way you’ve failed, and for the Holy Spirit’s help in making changes. Making changes isn’t just thinking about doing it but taking practical steps to make those changes. Below are some things you can ask God.

God, what are two things I can do today to stop _____________, or to begin ____________.

(Example: God, what are two things I can do today to love others well?)

God, please open my eyes daily to the ways you desire for me to change.  

May we be people who are open to hearing God’s voice in our life and be willing to change to reflect Him and experience His presence.