file: /pub/resources/text/Our.Daily.Bread: db940721.txt
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OUR DAILY BREAD                     Thursday, July 21, 1994
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Read:  Psalm 15

                  "LIVING CLOSE TO GOD"

          Lord, who may abide in Your tabernacle?
              ... He who does these things
                     shall not be moved.

                       - Psalm 15:1,5

Over the years I have known people whose lives manifested a
unique sense of God's presence and power.  Some are now in
heaven.  Some are still serving the Lord.

Psalm 15 cites the characteristics of a person who can
"abide" in God's tabernacle and dwell in His "holy hill."
This was the psalmist's way of describing the experience of
knowing God's closeness and power.  Such a person, he said,
is upright and truthful (v.2) and without malice (v.3).  He
despises the vile, honors the godly, keeps vows no matter
what, lends money unselfishly, and refuses to take bribes
(vv. 4-5).

As Christians, we are grateful that Jesus died so that we
might be forgiven and have peace with God.  But we tend to
forget that Jesus also died to make us good.  We must desire
this so much that we are willing to turn from anything that
is not Christlike.  Paul said, "Let everyone who names the
name of Christ depart from iniquity" (2 Tim.2:19).

Of course, we can't do this on our own.  We must continually
pray for God's help, fill our minds with His Word, and sub-
mit to the Holy Spirit.  As we do, God will become a living
reality in our lives and we will be like the person in Psalm
15 who lived close to God.

Author:  Herbert Vander Lugt

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
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A God-filled life
   is a life filled with good.

The Bible in One Year:  Isaiah 43-45

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