We Shall Not Be Moved

“Those who do these things shall never be moved.” – Psalm 15:5

If someone told you how to be more effective in your work for a more just and peaceful world, would you do it? If someone gave you a roadmap to the very center of the heart of God, would you follow it?

My inbox is overflowing with weekly missives promoting “five powerful rituals that will make you resilient,” six easy tips for dealing with difficult people, seven sure-fire ways to be happy, happy, happy.

Perhaps my life would be better if I actually read the emails and followed their suggestions—or not. But I’m pretty sure both I and the world would be better off if I followed the Jesus way as much as I talk about it, or if I heeded the wise, if challenging, words of Psalm 15.

Our scriptures are filled with hard sayings—some that are hard to understand, others that are harder still to do. But Psalm 15 is pretty straightforward in its description of what makes for a good life, an unshakeable peace, and a home in God’s heart:

A passion for justice, a commitment to truth-telling, a concern for the welfare of others that shapes everything from what we say to how willingly we share, a resistance to evil, a proper humility before God, an easy freedom in lending, and integrity in all our dealings.

(See what I did there? You can go ahead and delete all those unread how-to emails; you’re now good to go.)

Find an interpretation of Psalm 15 that works for you (my favorites are by Stephen Mitchell and Nan C. Merrill), and put it someplace where it will set your weary heart to singing.

We shall not, we shall not be moved. 

Prayer

Holy God, I want to be one of those people who make the world better just by being here. I want to be more like you.

About the Author
Vicki Kemper is the Pastor of First Congregational, UCC, of Amherst, Massachusetts.