Devotional Guide, Today’s Reading Sunday, 13th October, 2024

Comment: One of the admirable characteristics of the prophet, David, is his passion for God and His worship. (Psalm 42:2) By extension, such depth of love for God should be translated into loving our neighbours as ourselves. (Matthew 22:37-40) The point is, “If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?” (1 John 4:20) One who desires to remain in God’s tabernacle abhors making unpleasant remarks about his neighbour, just to bring down his reputation before others; such one avoids doing any form of hurt to a fellow worshipper of God, and humanity at large. Not minding the pleasure from filthy lucre by way of money or other incentives, such a believer would not accuse his neighbour on false charges. The Sweet Psalmist of Israel captures the above, thus: “He that backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbour, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbour.” (Psalm 15:3) Having met the above conditions, with clean hearts and hands, we can confidently “Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise”. – Psalm 100:4.