Days 101&102: Psalms 15, 23-25, 47, 89, 96, 100, 101, 107

LORD, who may dwell in your sacred tent?
   Who may live on your holy mountain?  (Psalm 15:1)

This question opens today's reading. The answer to the question begins like this:

The one whose walk is blameless,
   who does what is righteous,
   who speaks the truth from their heart... (Psalm 15:2)

...and he continues with a description of a good and righteous life. I think this may be one of the problems I have with the Psalms. In many of the Psalms you could get the impression that it's a pretty clear cut, black/white issue. The good guys who don't lie, cheat and steal are God's people and live long, happy, healthy lives while the bad guys who do those mean things are cast out. Live a good life = accepted by God, live a bad life = rejected by God. The same thing happens in Psalm 24:

Who may ascend the mountain of the LORD?
   Who may stand in his holy place?
The one who has clean hands and a pure heart,
   who does not trust in an idol
   or swear by a false god. (Psalm 24:3-4) 

The thing is, I know there is more to the story than that. It's not that those things aren't true, they are. The problem is that no one can do it. Even at our absolute best we can't, on our own, live up to this standard of goodness. That's why after reading these Psalms we need to then read:

Do not remember the sins of my youth
   and my rebellious ways;
according to your love remember me,
   for you, LORD, are good.  (Psalm 25:7)

We sin. But He offers forgiveness. 

All the ways of the LORD are loving and faithful
   toward those who keep the demands of his covenant.
For the sake of your name, LORD,
   forgive my iniquity, though it is great.(Psalm 25:10-11)

There was a lot of talk recently about judgment day. We should probably think about this more than we do but because of forgiveness judgment is not something we need to fear:

Clap your hands, all you nations;
   shout to God with cries of joy.
For the LORD Most High is awesome,
   the great King over all the earth. (Psalm 47:1-2)
Let all creation rejoice before the LORD, for he comes,
   he comes to judge the earth.
He will judge the world in righteousness
   and the peoples in his faithfulness. (Psalm 96:13)

That's not the message we usually hear from those predicting the end of the world.