Saints in the earth

Have you ever been out with a crowd of people and there is that one person that will do anything they can to get others attention. They need acceptance of others and they will do anything to get it.Those need can sometimes lead to some pretty compromising decisions. I think of teens and the years that they spend trying to fit in and be accepted. It is during those times of insecurity that life altering negative decisions can be made.


Last night in youth we were talking about the word compromise, and how it can lead to tragic consequences when people do it. I was thinking about the oil spill in the gulf, and how 11 people lost their lives because of inadequate concrete (compromise). I reflected on Hurricane Katrina, which saw over 1000 people lose their lives because the levies were compromised and gave way. Compromise leads to destruction.


Instead of choosing to do what others are pressuring us to do, we should stand up for what is right. We need to choose well. We need to love others and serve them, encourage and support those who are willing to stand out for God. They give me great joy!


Those are the people David is referring to in Psalm 16:3 when he writes "as for the saints who are in the earth".

In verse 2 David was making a declaration to the Lord. In verse 3 David is making one to the "saints in the earth."
In some traditions sainthood is a serious thing. It is a title that is put on someone because of "what they can do". Someone is declared a saint because they are believed to have healed someone. The reality is that no man has ever healed another man, God is the healer not man. David is not talking about those man made at all. 


I believe that there are present day saints, as in people who have committed their lives to Christ and honor him. David is talking about Godly people and how they have chosen to live their lives set apart for His kingdom.


As a pastor I love to work alongside others who are set apart to do His work, in the earth, or another way to put it is on this planet. Anyone that is truly committed to helping others here,in Christs name, and without looking for personal fame, are people we might refer to as "saints". It is not a title with a capital "S" like Superman but I sign of respect. 


I think that some people want to receive titles in this life and that is what they strive for. To be honored as a saint is not something we should strive for.


Davis uses the word saints not Saint. Many times in scripture the word saint is used to describe those who are set apart to do His work here on earth.


To me one of those modern day saints was Mother Theresa. She did this by serving humbly and sacrificially in order to fulfil God's call on her life to the poor and neglected of Calcutta. She understood her calling and loved the unlovely. That is beautiful.


David was so blessed to see those around him that had set themselves apart to honor God and minister to others. He wasn't impressed by other people that had wealth. He knew that is not what defined a saint. He wasn't starry eyed at the great athletes of his day. He wasn't blown away with the neighbour who had the biggest and best Iphone (just kidding, I know they didn't have those). 
He was impressed, blown away, and touched in his heart by those who were deeply committed to God and through their actions loved and served others humbly.


What do you think David would say about our lives? More importantly how does God view us? Are we saints or are we...?