Psalm 15
My mind has been prowling around this verse fragment this morning: “Buy the truth and sell it not” (Proverbs 23:23). My mind is agitated, my heart dismayed, at the realization that some I know are clearly willing to abandon truth for “peace” and friendship…and self-preservation.
But what about me? I see their fearful acquiescence to and silent acceptance of distortions and misrepresentations, but am I all that committed to truth myself?
As my mind has circled this subject this morning, I asked myself again and again, “What am I supposed to do?”
When I came to my Bible reading time, I almost went back to 2 Peter, then opted to return to Psalms. What’s in the Psalm that matches the day of the month? And will any of it fit my question?
- LORD, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill?
- He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart.
- He that backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbour, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbour.
- In whose eyes a vile person is contemned; but he honoureth them that fear the LORD. He that sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not.
- He that putteth not out his money to usury, nor taketh reward against the innocent. He that doeth these things shall never be moved.
David asks God, “Who gets to be close to Your presence?”
I’m not going to repeat every aspect of the multi-part answer, but I’m going to note where I think I see buying and selling of truth fit into the answer…
- Those who, buying (and buying into) truth in their own mind, proceed to live and do according to truth and justice (v2).
- Those who don’t sell (and sell out on) truth by promoting (or even just accepting) distortions about another (v3).
- Those who pay a personal price for standing for truth
- Those who don’t allow themselves to be bought out by Person A to the detriment of innocent Person B (v5).
Those are the ones who are close to God!
Those are the ones who will be sure-footed and who will never slide. “He that doeth these things shall never be moved.”
Well, it sounds like I have an obligation to warn my friends…if I truly believe what I wrote in the first two paragraphs of this post.
What do you think?