PURITY AND DIVINE INTIMACY

“Lord, who may abide in Your tabernacle? Who may dwell in Your holy hill?” – Psalm 15:1

There is an inseparableness between PURITY and DIVINE INTIMACY: “Lord, who may abide in Your tabernacle? Who may dwell in Your holy hill? He who WALKS uprightly, and WORKS righteousness, and SPEAKS the truth in his HEART; He who does not backbite with his TONGUE, nor does evil to his neighbor, nor does he take up a reproach against his friend” (Psa.15: 1-3). Purity and Intimacy with God are closely, intricately, and permanently connected. Purity relates to our walk, works, thoughts (heart), talk (tongue), and relationships.

Many are preoccupied with earthly affairs: seeking fun and excitement when young; busy with schooling, marriage, and raising a family when a bit older; so engaged in completing daily routines that they have little time to reflect on their true significance as God’s children and the real Hope of Life. While caring for family and faithfully fulfilling career and ministry responsibilities are crucial, God designed us for Greater Purposes. David knew of this eternal hope and so sought after God. All the glamour from great accomplishments quickly passes!

The psalm begins with a question (v.1), followed by an answer (vv.2-5a), and ends with a short conclusion (v.5b). It’s all about how to live constantly in God’s Presence. The phrases “Your tabernacle” and “Your holy hill” are synonymous with God’s Presence. What does it take to stay continually in a right relationship and intimacy with God? How can someone remain so close to God that it is like dwelling always in His temple? David undoubtedly asked these questions because he considered living in God’s Presence to be life’s most desirable quest!

This pinnacle of hope of being in God’s Presence towered high in David’s heart and made him long to live in Purity. Having experienced some blunders – Bathsheba/Uriah sins, Absalom’s rebellion, and the prideful counting of the people followed by a three-day plague, David became desperate in the pursuit of purity and unbroken Intimacy with the Lord.

The Purity-centred answer comes in six parallel statements:

• Pure Actions (v.2)):  Have a blameless walk; do what is right
• Pure Speech (vv.2-3):  Speak the truth; don't slander
• Pure Relationships (v.3):  Do not wrong your neighbor; don't speak badly about others
• Pure Friends (v.4a):  Despise evil men; honor those who fear God
• Pure Promises 9v.4b):  Keep your promises; even when it hurts
• Pure Finances (v.5):  Lend money with no interest; do not accept bribes

David’s final statement promises that if we live this way we cannot be shaken or unsettled (v.5c). Beloved, let’s evaluate our own lives. Are we drawing close to or farther from God?  How do we measure in each of the six areas? Thank God, He made a way for us to approach Him through Jesus! But salvation through Christ only opens the way to God, it does not guarantee a daily close walk with Him; daily obedience enables a close and growing relationship.