LIVING WORD DEVOTIONAL
By Pastor Mensa Otabil
 
Thursday 7th May 2026

HOW TO ENCOUNTER GOD

Scripture Reading: Psalm 15

Lord, who may abide in Your tabernacle? Who may dwell in Your holy hill? He who walks uprightly, And works righteousness, And speaks the truth in his heart; Psalm 15:1–2

Many scholars believe David wrote Psalm 15 after he had brought the Ark of the Lord to the Tabernacle at Jerusalem.
 
David had a heart for God. He wanted to be in the presence of the Lord at all times. He knew that even the priests who ministered in the house of the Lord did not dwell there. They went to work in the holy place and went back to their homes. Yet, David yearned for something more than that. He wanted to live his life constantly in the presence of the Lord.
 
In this psalm, David asks two questions of the Lord.

Who may abide in your tabernacle?

The keyword in this question is the word ‘abide’. It is a word that is used to describe a traveller who finds a place to stay or rest on his journey. David might have seen his life as a journey and the tabernacle as the place to find rest on his journey. He was a weary traveller seeking rest for his soul.

Who may dwell in your Holy hill?

The keyword here is ‘dwell’. It is the word of a settler or a resident – one who belongs to or is part of the place they dwell. David did not just want to find rest in the house of the Lord. He wanted to belong to the house of the Lord.
 
David began to answer his two questions by setting out lifestyles that will enable us to experience the presence of God at all times.

Walk uprightly.

This refers to living a morally upright life.

Work righteously.

This refers to being just in the way we treat people.

Speak truth in the heart.

This refers to being honest with ourselves and to others.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, I want to experience Your presence at all times. Help me to live a life that pleases you. In Jesus’ name, Amen.