Title: Truth/Psalm 15:1-5
Truth/Psalm 15:1-5
(Psalm 15:1-5) Who, O LORD, shall dwell in thy tent, and who shall dwell in thy holy mountain? who walks uprightly, executes justice, speaks truth in his heart, does not accuse him with his tongue, does no evil to his friends. He does not slander his neighbor, his eyes despise the profane, honors those who fear the LORD, and his vows in his heart are harmful, but he does not change; he does not pay interest, and accepts bribes and does not harm the innocent sleep will never be shaken.
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Today, we would like to share our grace with the social phenomenon of our country and personal faith.
On Thursday, July 1st, there was a big fire at the youth training center in Hwaseong-gun, Gyeonggi-do. Twenty-three young lives perished in the flames. This incident was a disaster because no one, none of it was true. From the beginning of the construction to the process of obtaining supervision and permits, it was full of wrong things, and the fire alarm system, the teachers who were supposed to be with the children, and even the fire engine that was dispatched after receiving a report could not truly fulfill their role.
It was the 4th anniversary of the collapse of the Sampoong Department Store. Whenever there is a terrible accident, when the Seongsu Bridge collapses and the Sampoong Department Store collapses, "This was a human resource. All administrative agencies and related organizations will awaken and fix it so that this does not happen again." We've been told this countless times. However, there are still terrible talents in this society.
Why is our country becoming this way? This is because the flow of all our people, including myself, is not sincere before God. Only by restoring this truth can we live.
There is a scholar named Friedrich Mainicke who wrote the book 'The Tragedy of Germany'. Germany has experienced great tragedies in three wars over the past century. In this book, he interprets the German tragedy because Germans respect the law more than the individual conscience and believe in the state as the Messiah rather than Christ. At the same time, the author concludes that in order for the German people to contribute to this history and the world and to become an upright and happy society, they must put their conscience as the highest value, serve Jesus Christ as the supreme Messiah, and take root in respecting the faith.
In World War I, France suffered a devastating defeat by Germany. So, it is the national sentiment that French people have to overcome Germany. Later, a defense minister named Magino created a defense line to overcome Germany. Many French military strategists praised it as a good strategy. Finally, the Maginot Line was installed. The French say, 'To break the Maginot line, 3 million soldiers will have to be sacrificed. Now Germany will not be able to overcome the Maginot Line.' However, less than two weeks after the outbreak of World War II, Germany broke through the Maginot Line and advanced into France. After examining why this absurd incident occurred, it was interpreted that it was because French officials colluded with contractors to undertake the construction of the Maginot Line. It was not that the German army was strong, but that the French conscience was weak.
The safety and development of a country does not depend on the number of guns. It is in the conscience of the people. Today's Bible rebukes the Israelites more harshly for this problem. The Jewish nation was in decline. In the north, Babylon was prospering as a new power. Before Babylon, the Jewish people were like a wind lantern. God said this to the prophet Jeremiah of that time, who cried out before God with tenderness over the misfortune of his country and people. “Go to and fro through the streets of Jerusalem, and look for it in the wide streets, and know that if you find even one man who does justice and seeks the truth, I will forgive this city” (Jeremiah 5:1).
So how is God speaking to us?
First, tell the truth.
In the ninth of the Ten Commandments, he said, 'You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor'. And today's text reads, "Who will dwell in Your tent, O LORD, and who will dwell in Your holy mountain? Who walks uprightly, executes justice, speaks truth in his heart, and does not accuse him with his tongue" (verses 1-3a). You did. It is a voice that is looking for a sincere person. Proverbs 3:32-33 "For the rebellious are an abomination to the LORD, but the upright are his fellowship, and the house of the wicked is the LORD's curse, but blessed is the house of the righteous." Revelation 21:8 There is a charge of entering the second death. Among them, it is said that all liars cannot enter the kingdom of heaven and are subject to judgment because they partake of fire and burning sulfur.
We must be honest people before God. Only then can this country develop and become a strong society full of love and justice.
Second, He tells us to take responsibility for our sins.
After Adam and Eve ate of the forbidden fruit, they felt sin. So I covered my shame with fig leaves. Then God said, "Adam, where are you?" "I hid in shame." “How did you eat of the forbidden fruit?” When asked, Adam replied, "God, I ate because the woman you sent me brought the forbidden fruit." I did this not because of me, but because God gave her to me. The sinful nature of Adam, who takes the pretext and shifts responsibility, is emerging. Our country's leaders say: 'Isn't everyone guilty, didn't I receive it as the price of bread, is there anyone who is proud of this sin'. I make excuses like this. This is the Adamic sin. We must be truthful before God's word and calling. All over the world, we shouldn't say things like this.
Third, he tells us not to cover up our sins.
Adam's son Cain struck down his brother Abel and buried him in the ground. No one knows who killed Abel. But God came and said, “Cain, where is your brother Abel?” Then God said, "God, I don't know. Am I Abel's keeper?" Then God said, "The blood of Abel, whom you killed, is crying out to me from the ground. That blood is testifying of your lies, your murder, your greed, and your sins." You say.
When we read this verse, we should hear it this way. The truth is that God is hearing the voices of young children crying out for their lives while dying in the scorching fire at the youth training center in Hwaseong-gun. The cry of those little children is the voice of this people and the voice of conscience. Like Cain, we say, 'I don't know. I am not responsible. When I say, 'I have done the law.' God says, 'Listen to that cry, look at that blood.' In this way, we must listen to the voice of God speaking to the world.
When Sea-Land burned down, many people would have thought of a movie called 'Towering'.
A large building was built in San Francisco. It was designed by a famous designer. There was a completion party. The designer got involved in this important party. All San Francisco officials were in attendance. However, when constructing this building, the president's son-in-law took 4 million dollars of the construction cost and made poor construction. However, during the party, the building's central control room experienced some electrical problems. He changed the Hughes, but as the problem got worse and worse, he said it would be better to end the party and leave. But the party went on. Eventually, a fire broke out due to an electrical problem, causing a great commotion. People are taking refuge on the roof. The beautiful building was destroyed by fire. A word from the designer in the final scene is very impressive. “It should have been by design.”
God is the designer of our life. Living according to God's Word is the true life. Here is the truth and there is a conscience. And God blesses those who are sincere. I earnestly pray that God's blessing will be with you by living truthfully according to God's word.