The Psalmist asked, “Lord who may lodge in your tent? Who may dwell on your holy mountain?” Then answers the question with, “The one who is blameless and does what is right. And speaks truth from their heart.” Psalm 15:1 REB

To speak truth from the heart, is to cut through alternative facts, misleading memes, and social media blinders. It is to not stay silent, when seeing their neighbors harmed. Speaking truth from the heart, is to recognize goodness as goodness, and evil as evil. And to know that while there may be areas of gray, there are also fundamental truths, that cannot be compromised. Decency, compassion, love, mercy, and kindness toward one’s neighbors, remain the absolutes of faithful living, and faithfulness to God.

Psalm 15, attributed to King David, calls to a person’s inner strength, their sense of right and wrong. It lifts up those whose live lives that are nearly blameless, who would never abuse another through words or actions.  This person stays true to their  Faith  values, even  at harm to themselves. Knowing who they are, truths they hold dear, and standing firm on what matters most in their lives, is one of moral clarity, forming their decisions when challenged to do otherwise.  God’s faithful will not be entangled by choosing profits over people, nor will they be swayed by sleazy backroom deals.

Today our world needs leaders who live with integrity. People whose actions can be trusted, to seek the best for all. We need women and men of courage who cannot be bought and paid for, by bribes of any kind, whose votes and decisions are based on conscience, and not the political winds of the day. We need leaders who raise their voices on behalf of people, who live on the hard edge of life.

We are facing  great moral challenges, testing who we are as a people.  We need leaders whose mantra is, “Love for God, and love for neighbor,” and are ready to *“Resist evil, injustice and oppression, in whatever form they present themselves.” People whose values and morality are grounded in goodness, compassion and love.

Jesus blessed such as these saying, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.” Matthew 5:6-8

*Words from the Baptismal Covenant, United Methodist Church.

Psalm 15
“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.” NRSV