Abiding

O Lord, who may abide in your tent? Who may dwell on your holy hill?

Those who walk blamelessly and do what is right and speak the truth from their heart; who do not slander with their tongue and do no evil to their friends nor heap shame upon their neighbors; in whose eyes the wicked are despised but who honor those who fear the Lord; who stand by their oath even to their hurt; who do not lend money at interest and do not take a bribe against the innocent.

Those who do these things shall never be moved. ~ Psalm 15

In scripture, to abide means to remain or to stay.

It means actively remaining. It means staying with God,

To stay with someone, to remain with them means to be in relationship with them.

And to be in relationship with someone means caring for those the person you care for cares about.

And being in relationship is always going to entail working to keep that relationship healthy. It requires work.

Work like speaking the truth and doing what is right.

Standing by your word. Keeping your promises.

Not cheating or stealing.

Loving, honoring. serving.

God's commands aren't simply rules to keep us in line. They are ways of being so that relationship can flourish and grow.

They are ways that make abiding a way of living and being in love.

Abide in me, Lord and help me to abide in you. Amen