By John Richardson
SCRIPTURE
Psalm 115:1–11
[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, 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.
OBSERVATION
All glory to God. The phrase is much easier to speak than to live out. People desire the glory (recognition, praise, notoriety) from their actions and even from the actions of God. This psalm gives encouragement when a believer is dropped into a culture that does not embrace God.
- God’s love and faithfulness are the channel to the glory to which God holds. God is not without glory; He does not need to receive it from man as though He is lacking. Giving glory to God is about a change in man, not God, which is begun sustained by the love of God. Giving glory to God is acknowledging His wondrous works, literally admiring God as one would admire a diamond, slowly turning it to appreciate all of its facets (v.1).
- “Where is God” has been a common phrase through the annals of time and in the hearts of man. Many people who have offered up this phrase do not believe in God. Believers must affirm with the psalmist that God dwells in His heavenly abode and does all that He desires. Believing that God does what He pleases may mean embracing His delay in struggles and recovery. Trusting God gives Him glory, even if pressured by the outside world to speak for God when He seems absent. Continue in faith (vv. 2-3).
- What is the weight of the gods of this world? The hands of man created all false gods, here out of gold and silver. The gods of this world had the features of man: eyes, ears, noses, mouths, hands, feet, and throats. Yet these features could not perform even the actions of men, let alone the actions of a god—they could not see, hear, smell, speak, touch, or move. These false gods couldn’t compete with the one true God; indeed, false gods cannot do anything. Placing trust in false gods is a worthless endeavor (vv. 4-7).
- Those who trust in false gods become like them—useless, worthless. The psalmist mentions speaking and sound in their throat above the other attributes of false gods, emphasizing that the one true God is a communicating God. One does not have to hear a new word from the Lord; we currently have His words in our hands (open the Bible). Those who trust in God have help and a shield. Over and against the powerlessness of the false gods, the psalmist commands believers to place their trust in God. No matter the events, outside pressures, glitter of other gods, the command is to trust God (vv. 8-11).
OBEDIENCE
What false gods have your hands been fashioning? The power and prestige in the office or work? Your children and their success as a reflection of your ability? Security through financial success? God is working; trust Him.
- What are the things that you are trusting over God? Ask someone to help you examine your life/heart.
- Ask God to remove the idols of your heart. Write down a list of things that are challenging God for the throne of your life.
- Give all glory to God. In your success, give God the credit that only He is due. In your patience, skill, influence, praise God for His work.
- Trust God in the midst of these difficult days. Know that even while it may seem that the Lord is delaying, He is working to accomplish His plans and purposes.
PRAYER
Ask God to uncover the idols of your heart. Plead with God to help you move your trust from created things to the all-powerful Creator. Pray that God would shield you and your household in these days.
