IF YOU BECAME LIKE THE THINGS YOU WORSHIPED, WOULD YOU LAST?

June 22, 2017

IF YOU BECAME LIKE THE THINGS YOU WORSHIPED, WOULD YOU LAST?

Psalm 115

Kimo Thorpe

Central Truth

As we grow older, we all are becoming more like something. Scripture tells us that this "something" is largely dependent on who or what we put our trust in. If it is anything that will not last forever, we should consider changing where we put our hope.

Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name give glory,
for the sake of your steadfast love and your faithfulness!
(Psalm 115:1)

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!

Footnotes

[1] 115:9 Masoretic Text; many Hebrew manuscripts, Septuagint, Syriac O house of Israel

I grew up in Los Angeles, which meant I spent some time around movie studios (my mom does "Craft Services"). I can't say I ever wanted to be in television, yet I still see how Hollywood can motivate someone to pack up their bags and move to the "City of Angels." I look back, and it was more like the "City of Idols" than of angels. An "idol" is anything we ascribe to have more value (or that we put more trust in) than God (Romans 1:21-23). While growing up, my life was largely defined by my idols: relationships, control, and success.

Years later, Psalm 115 has quickly become one of my favorite passages in Scripture. The author starts verse 1 by speaking directly to God, saying that all glory goes to Him. Why? Because of God’s "steadfast love" and "faithfulness." Then in verse 4 he talks about the surrounding nations’ idols; and, ironically, they haven't changed much: "Their idols are silver and gold, the work of human hands." In verses 5-7, he walks the reader through the uselessness of idols. While they may have the appearance of function, idols aren't capable of doing anything. They can't speak, they can't protect, and they can't love.

Verse 8 is where I want you to stay for a while: "Those who make them become like them; so do all who trust in them." The author is saying that those who worshiped useless things were becoming like useless things. But as believers in Jesus Christ, we worship the One who loves us so radically that, while we were still sinners, He died for us (Romans 5:8). We put our trust in and give glory to God. As a result, we are becoming more like Him (1 John 3:2-3).

So what are you becoming? If you are worshiping anything other than the God who creates, sustains, and protects, you may need to reevaluate the quality of the things you trust in. If they can't provide unfailing, steadfast love, you are selling yourself short.

Trust in the Lord; He’s worth it.

1. What thing, if you lost it, would cause you to question God's goodness?

2. When days are hard, what "good things" do you tend to turn to for fulfillment? This may be a person, food, shopping, or anything else.

3. What things do you take glory for that should go to God? This could be at work, in your marriage, or elsewhere.

4. What ways can your community, your spouse, or your friends help keep you accountable to rely on the Lord?