November 5, 2009
GOD, WHERE ARE YOU???
Psalm 115
Phil Collins
Central Truth
During times of abundance and peace, it is easy to believe and trust in God's goodness and presence. It is during times of dryness and trial, however, that God declares He is still sovereign and present, and He calls us to trust in Him.
Key Verse | Psalm 115:2
Why should the nations say,
"Where is their God?"
(Psalm 115:2)
Psalm 115
To Your Name Give Glory
1
Not to us, O LORD, not to us, but to your name give glory,
for the sake of your steadfast love and your faithfulness!
2
Why should the nations say,
“Where is their God?”
3
Our God is in the heavens;
he does all that he pleases.
4
Their idols are silver and gold,
the work of human hands.
5
They have mouths, but do not speak;
eyes, but do not see.
6
They have ears, but do not hear;
noses, but do not smell.
7
They have hands, but do not feel;
feet, but do not walk;
and they do not make a sound in their throat.
8
Those who make them become like them;
so do all who trust in them.
9
O Israel,
1
115:9
Masoretic Text; many Hebrew manuscripts, Septuagint, Syriac O house of Israel
trust in the LORD!
He is their help and their shield.
10
O house of Aaron, trust in the LORD!
He is their help and their shield.
11
You who fear the LORD, trust in the LORD!
He is their help and their shield.
12
The LORD has remembered us; he will bless us;
he will bless the house of Israel;
he will bless the house of Aaron;
13
he will bless those who fear the LORD,
both the small and the great.
14
May the LORD give you increase,
you and your children!
15
May you be blessed by the LORD,
who made heaven and earth!
16
The heavens are the LORD's heavens,
but the earth he has given to the children of man.
17
The dead do not praise the LORD,
nor do any who go down into silence.
18
But we will bless the LORD
from this time forth and forevermore.
Praise the LORD!
Dive Deeper | Psalm 115
Psalm 115 is a great picture of my life. So many times, I live by sight instead of faith and trust in God. It all begins with me when I wake up in the morning and believe the lie that I can "make it" through the day relying on my own strength and understanding. What happens is that I start to lose strength and begin to look for something that can pull me out of whatever it is I am in--loneliness, depression, fear, or anxiety.
My heart tells me to cry out to the Lord and trust that He is present, but my flesh cries out for something that I can see or touch. It is at this point that I must make a choice: Am I going to believe God's truth that He is my deliverer and protector, or am I going to be like the enemies of Israel and ask, "God, where are you?"
Unfortunately, there have been many times in my life when I have run to my own idols, such as pornography, isolation, food, sports, or anything else that can give me a temporary reprieve from my emotional state. These idols have proven themselves false, lacking any ability to give me the life and relief that I am yearning for. God is passionately calling me to turn from whatever dead idols I am pursuing and run to Him. It is when I make choices of obedience in trusting God that He promises He will take notice and bless me.
These blessings most often are not material items, career success, or other things the world would view as blessings. But they are a true, deep peace in my soul that brings joy and contentment. And the greatest part is when God takes my junk and uses it to help others, not for my glory, but for His name's sake!
Discussion Questions
1. Is there a situation or issue in your life in which you are questioning whether God notices and cares?
2. What "idols" are you prone to turn to instead of God?
3. Has God proven Himself faithful to you in the past? Think about such times and thank God that He promises to be your deliver and protector!