Hollywood or the Holy?

"In whose eyes a vile person is despised, but he who honors those who fear the Lord (who revere and worship Him)." Psalm 15:3

In Psalm 15, in a quest to find out who will enjoy good fellowship with the Lord, we've talked about our behavior. We've talked about our speech. We've talked about the way we treat others. This verse, I believe, speaks of our values.

Who do we honor, and who do we not honor?

Despise: referring to the eyes, look against, show contempt

Vile: refuse, trash, rejected

Do we call evil, "evil"? and vile, "vile"?  Do we look at evil with contempt - like it is the trash that it is.

Notice, I'm saying "it." Because we know that God did not create anything evil or vile - and all have the chance to come to repentance and change their ways. Again, this chapter was written before Christ came, through the eyes of a different culture in a different time.

Do we honor and give value to the things that honor the Lord? Do we show respect to those who fear the Lord? Do we give respect to those who do evil?

I can't help it. My mind wanders to Hollywood and the temptation of a culture to swoon over people because of their outward beauty and the characters they play in a movie. We give such value and respect to them for their accomplishments. 

Then there are the people in our lives that continually sacrifice of themselves to minister to others because their love for the Lord - those that sacrifice to serve Him and sacrifice to obey. The world at large may  not even know they exist. But I bet we all know someone like that: a pastor, a missionary, a volunteer, a mentor in your life.

When is the last time you showed honor to that someone and thanked them for their example of fearing the Lord?

With the kids: Do your kids know who you value? Maybe ask them. Think about something you could do this week with your kids to show honor to someone who fears the Lord. Maybe make encouragement cards? or bake something to take to them? or help them with a task?

Memorizing:

Psalm 15

 ¹LORD, WHO shall dwell [temporarily] in Your tabernacle? Who shall dwell [permanently] on Your holy hill?

    ²He who walks and lives uprightly and blamelessly, who works rightness and justice and speaks and thinks the truth in his heart,

    ³He who does not slander with his tongue, nor does evil to his friend, nor takes up a reproach against his neighbor;

    ⁴In whose eyes a vile person is despised, but he who honors those who fear the Lord (who revere and worship Him);