1 Not to us, O Lord, not to us
but to your name be the glory,
because of your love and faithfulness. Psalm 115
Psalm 115 opens with the acknowledgment that it is the Lord alone who deserves (and desires) our praise, because of His Love and Faithfulness. We serve a great and good God, but the psalmist goes on to describe IN DETAIL the futility of worshipping the gods (idols) of the nations. We should reflect upon this, because it’s the same alternative that the enemy and this world system still offer humanity today.
2 Why do the nations say,
‘Where is their God?’
3 Our God is in heaven;
he does whatever pleases him.
4 But their idols are silver and gold,
made by human hands.
5 They have mouths, but cannot speak,
eyes, but cannot see.
6 They have ears, but cannot hear,
noses, but cannot smell.
7 They have hands, but cannot feel,
feet, but cannot walk,
nor can they utter a sound with their throats.
8 THOSE WHO MAKE THEM WILL BE LIKE THEM,
AND SO WILL ALL WHO TRUST IN THEM. Psalm 115
The late Dr Dallas Willard in an address to students at Wheaton College made a very telling quote, ‘IT IS WHAT YOU ARE SEEKING THAT SHOWS WHO YOU ARE’. (Available on YouTube, Dallas Willard, Life in the Spirit) He had quoted Matthew 6:33, ‘Seek first the Kingdom of God and all these things will be added to you’. He continued, ‘WHAT IS YOUR LIFE REALLY ABOUT? WHAT ARE YOU SEEKING?’ He also added a further statement, ‘The greatest threat to the Kingdom of God in my life, is my Kingdom’. We can invest our lives building something for ourselves and ignoring God and His Kingdom, many or even most people do it. What a shame to miss out on serving such a generous God now and in eternity.
9 All you Israelites, trust in the Lord –
he is their help and shield.
10 House of Aaron, trust in the Lord –
he is their help and shield.
11 YOU WHO FEAR HIM, TRUST IN THE LORD –
HE IS THEIR HELP AND SHIELD. Psalm 115
The psalm continues with a further promise of God’s blessing for all who Fear Him and Trust in Him.
12 The Lord remembers us and will bless us:
he will bless his people Israel,
he will bless the house of Aaron,
13 HE WILL BLESS THOSE WHO FEAR THE LORD –
SMALL AND GREAT ALIKE. Psalm 115
Church attendance or other religious service doesn’t define us, remember ‘IT IS WHAT YOU ARE SEEKING THAT SHOWS WHO YOU ARE’.
May the Lord bless and keep you today. Immanuel, God is with us.