Psalm 15 describes a person who embodies integrity. Read these verses and take note of a few thoughts.

O LORD, who may abide in Your tent?

Who may dwell on Your holy hill?

He who walks with integrity, and works righteousness,

And speaks truth in his heart.

He does not slander with his tongue,

Nor does evil to his neighbor,

Nor takes up a reproach against his friend;

In whose eyes a reprobate is despised,

But who honors those who fear the LORD;

He swears to his own hurt and does not change;

He does not put out his money at interest,

Nor does he take a bribe against the innocent.

He who does these things will never be shaken.

David begins with an inquisitive thought about who will be in the presence of God. David was not of the priestly tribe, so to be able to enter the Tabernacle of God was out of the question unless he, like the sons of Korah, rebelled. Nevertheless, what David wishes is to be near God. Since the Tabernacle was where man met with God through the work of the priests and the practice of sacrifice, David’s longing to abide in His Tabernacle was a desire to be in His presence. The question is answered by describing the character of one who can be near God no matter what.

It is one who embodies integrity. Do you want to be near God? Then think about how you can be a person of integrity and embody the characteristics found in this Psalm.

First, it’s essential to realize that integrity is a way of life. One who possesses integrity lives that way and not just occasionally does what is right once in a blue moon. David knew integrity begins with what is in your heart. How you think and feel directs what you say. Truth comes from the heart and is demonstrated by how you respond. When truth is in the heart, the tongue responds with words of affirmation, not slander. Be careful what is in your heart because it will reveal who you truly are. David understood that an upright and righteous life is known by how someone speaks. As Jesus said in Matthew 12:34: Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.

David also knew that integrity is demonstrated and expressed in how we treat one another. One who demonstrates righteousness is honest and good to their neighbors. But integrity takes it to another level. One with integrity loves those who may not reciprocate. As Jesus said in Matthew 5:43-44: You have heard that it was said, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR and hate your enemy.’ “But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,

It’s a challenge to be full of integrity. It calls us to do the right thing even when no one else is looking. It calls us to go out of our way to do righteousness and love people who are difficult to love. But the one who embodies integrity has the privilege of being in the presence of God.

Take one day, one moment at a time, and do the right thing even if no one else is looking. God sees you and rewards you by allowing you to be near Him.

I love you,

Alex