JANUARY 21
Psalm 15:1, “O Lord, who shall sojourn in your tent? Who shall dwell on your holy hill?”
This psalm speaks to the requisite moral characteristics of the worshippers of God. David, the psalmist, knew God to be holy. Would-be worshippers, be they priests or pilgrims, needed to be holy too. As the pilgrims ascended to Jerusalem, where God’s tabernacle was located, on the “holy hill”—they needed to examine themselves before entering the courts of God’s sanctuary.
As Hebrews 10:10 makes clear, the believer in Christ “has confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus.” Positionally speaking, God has cleansed him from sin and declared him to be a “holy one” (1 Corinthians 6:11, 1:3). Practically speaking, the child of God’s holy identity demands a corresponding holy walk (1 Peter 1:15-16).
The holiness of God is his “set-apartness” and holy “otherness.” Being perfect in all ways, God’s holiness is transcendent. We are holy to the extent we are separating ourselves from sin and dedicating ourselves to God. The holy conduct of would-be worshippers is all-encompassing, affecting one’s heart, words, and walk. He speaks truth from the heart; is blameless in his walk; does not slander with his tongue; and deals with others with integrity (Psalm 15).
You’re not ascending a physical hill to a physical tabernacle, but as you enter with confidence, by the blood of Jesus, into the holy presence of God, keep in mind his call to his children: “You shall be holy, for I am holy” (1 Peter 1:16).
“God sees us perfect in His Son while He disciplines and chastens and purges us that we may be partakers of His holiness.”—A. W. Tozer
Application Questions: Read Isaiah chapter 6. What was Isaiah’s response to be given a vision of the holiness of God? This psalm speaks to some aspects of a God-honoring walk. What are some others?
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