Ever since man was expelled from the Garden, he’s been trying to pretend he’s in the “in” crowd.
There’s nothing better than being at home with God, the meaning of the two words selected by David in Psalm 15:1—“Lord, who may abide in Your tabernacle? Who may dwell in Your holy hill?” There is within humankind a strong desire to belong, to be part of the “in group.” It may be the country club or it may be the street gang, but it often causes people to compromise their standards as the price for membership. It’s Peter denying Christ to be at the world’s fire. The antidote to this pressure is found by discovering that only one “in group” is worth the price. Christ died so we could be “accepted in the Beloved” (Eph 1:6). This longing to be “in Your tabernacle…in Your holy hill” will only do you good. Why? Because being in happy fellowship with God stirs in you the highest motives, the most wholesome desires. This place of nearness is for the one “who walks uprightly, and works righteousness, and speaks the truth in his heart…who does not backbite with his tongue, nor does evil to his neighbor, nor does he take up a reproach against his friend; in whose eyes a vile person is despised, but he honors those who fear the Lord; he who swears to his own hurt and does not change; he who does not put out his money at usury, nor does he take a bribe against the innocent” (Ps 15:2- 5). A determination to be at home in God’s presence affects everything: your walk and work; truth in the heart and on the tongue; doing good to both friends and neighbors; deciding the people to be avoided or honored; keeping promises even when it hurts; and refusing to take advantage of others even when it might help. David concludes, “He who does these things shall never be moved.” Once you’re IN, that’s where you’ll always want to be.