Thursday, 4 June 2020

Psalm 5

How does one enter into the presence of God, into His dwelling place? This psalm describes to us what it means for us to enter it. Throughout the whole of history, no man has ever entered into the presence of God, by the means of going towards Him. In fact, it has always been the other way round, where God comes and reveals Himself to us. So let us examine what is the content of this psalm.

The psalmist starts with the question “O LORD, who shall sojourn in your tent? Who shall dwell on your holy hill?” Throughout Old Testament history, God dwells among His people in the Tabernacle, also known as the Holy of Holies. Even the high priest that enters it will never be able to see God’s face, as it will be covered with smoke, lest the one who looks upon God would die. Coming to today’s psalm, what more is required of us in order to sojourn in God’s tent and dwell in God’s holy hill, where His presence is when seeing God’s face is already something seemingly impossible?

The psalmist then shows us the ideal person who is able to enter into God’s presence. This person ought to walk blamelessly and do what is right, as being truthful all the time (v2). He is not to gossip (if you are using the ESV, it says slander with his tongue). This is another way of saying not to bear false witness against their neighbors (9th commandment). Even the way the person ought to treat his neighbors must be pure, with no evil intentions (v3). The manner in which that person perceives evil matters as well, as he should be one which “in whose eyes a vile person is despised, but who honors those who fear the LORD.” (v4a) Furthermore, this person is also the man of his/her own words; he does what he says in a truthful manner and takes God as his/her very own witness.

Finally, this person is one who deals with people generously and fairly, especially when it comes to money. After all, the love of money is the root of all evil. How one utilizes their money matters as well. They are not to use it with evil intentions such as bribing and using money for more gain! As the psalmist ends with his last sentence, only such a person who does all these things perfectly will not be moved. Such is the person that is able to claim God to be their refuge, as the place they meet the terms of the Covenant which God gave them.

Only such is the person who is able to enter God’s presence! It seems only a perfect person who does no evil can enter into God’s presence! You might ask wouldn’t that already disqualify you? So then what’s the point of this psalm? Beyond just telling us what is the expectation of a Christian, this psalm magnifies the perfect holiness of God. Only a person who is perfectly holy is able to enter God’s holy hill and dwell with Him in His holy presence. Such is the holiness of God, this is He whom we worship!

In light of this psalm, how then are we to respond? This is a call for us to place our faith and trust in Christ as we come to God in worship. We have no way of attaining this perfect holiness to dwell in God’s presence. Our holiness belongs to Christ. To attain it is to place our faith and trust in Christ and Christ alone, and acknowledge that He brings us into God’s presence on our behalf with all His perfect holiness. What a blessedness to know we can go into God’s presence in worship through Christ! This is also a call for us to live our lives according to His laws because we are God’s holy people. May we come and examine our lives before our holy God.

Prayer

As you pray, ask God to continue to help you place your faith and trust in Christ, knowing that it is Him who brings you into God’s presence, and not our own sinful and self-righteous actions. Do ask God to help you acknowledge His perfect holiness as well, as that is who God is, the holy God, which cannot tolerate any small bit of evil. Lastly, ask God to reveal certain evil in your hearts as well, and ask His Spirit to work in you. You pray best when you reflect about your life in light of who God is and what He has said in His Word. Do take this time to reflect and pray on your own or even with your family members.

Hon Sir Neng

每日灵粮
4/06/20星期四
作者：韩思能
诗篇5

一个人如何进入上帝的同在，进入他的居所？这篇诗篇向我们描述了如何进入神的同在。在整个历史上，从来没有人通过走向神的方式，进入神的同在。实际上，这一直是相反的，上帝来向我们展示自己。因此，让我们思考一下此诗篇的内容。

诗人以这个问题开始“耶和华啊！谁能在你的帐幕里寄居？”在旧约的整个历史中，上帝居住在会幕中的祂的子民中，也称为至圣所。甚至进入它的大祭司也将永远看不见上帝的脸，因为它会被烟熏覆盖，以免看着上帝的人死。来到今天的诗篇中，我们还需要什么才能住在上帝的帐棚里，并住在上帝的圣山上？上帝的存在似乎已经不可能了？因为看上帝的面貌已经看起来有些不可能了？

然后，诗人向我们展示了能够进入上帝同在的理想人选。这个人应该一直无懈可击，做正确的事，始终如一（第2节）。他不是不会闲话的。这是另一种不对邻居作虚假证词的说法。甚至该人应该对待邻居的方式也必须是纯洁的，没有邪恶的意图（第3节）。这个人对邪恶的看法也很重要，因为他他是一位“眼中藐视卑鄙的人，却尊重敬畏耶和华的人。”（第4节)此外，说话算数的人。他以诚实的态度行事，并以上帝为自己的见证。

最后，这个人是一个慷慨而公正地与人打交道的人，尤其是在金钱方面。毕竟，热爱金钱是万恶之源。一个人如何利用他们的钱也很重要。他们不可将其用于恶意目的，例如行贿和利用金钱谋取更多收益！诗篇作者以他的最后一句话结尾时，只有这样完美地完成所有这些事情的人才不会动摇。这样的人能够以上帝为他们的避难所，因为他们所处的位置符合上帝所赐给他们的约的条款。

只有这样的人才能进入上帝的同在！似乎只有没有邪恶的完美人才能进入上帝的同在！您可能会问，这是否已经取消了您的资格？那么，这首诗有什么意义呢？这首赞美诗不仅告诉我们基督徒的期望是什么，还扩大了上帝的圣洁性。只有一个完全圣洁的人才能进入神的圣山并与他同住。这就是上帝的圣洁，这就是我们敬拜的上帝！

有鉴于此，我们该如何回应？这是呼召我们在敬拜上帝时相信基督的信心。我们无法获得这种完美的圣洁，无法住在上帝的同在中。我们的圣洁属于基督。实现它就是将我们的信仰和信任单独放在基督和基督身上。承认他以他所有的圣洁将我们带入上帝的同在。知道我们可以通过基督进入神的敬拜中，这真是多么幸福！这也是我们要按照祂的律法生活的呼吁，因为我们是上帝的圣民。愿我们来在我们的圣神面前审视我们的生活。

当您祈祷时，请上帝继续帮助您对基督充满信心和信任,知道是他带你进入神的同在,而不是我们自己的有罪和自以为是的行为。求神帮助你承认他的圣洁。因为上帝就是圣洁的上帝，不能容忍任何一点邪恶。最后，请上帝也要在你心中彰显某些邪恶，并请上帝的灵在你里面工作。当您祈祷，根据神和神在话语中所说的来反思自己的生活。请花点时间来反思自己或与家人一起祈祷。