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Psalm 115

This is a song about an age-old problem and its solution.  The problem is that man, ever since his fall, has been convinced that anything he can't touch, taste, feel, see, or hear is not real - it doesn't exist. The only god for such people has to be one they can know by means of their senses.  People might believe that there's "some kind of power out there, some kind of ultimate truth, some kind of ultimate being, but if it's going to capture the faith of the majority, it has to be tangible, because otherwise it's just "make-believe."  Cars, houses, and bank accounts, fit the necessary description in our day, just as they have for countless generations.  Anything else is just religious nonsense. 

But the God Who made us doesn't want us to be engaged in such idolatry.  He has rescued a few out of all mankind to know that "He is and is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him." (Hebrews 11:6)  They have been blessed to know the Maker and Ruler of all things! And they have been delivered from the need for idolatry. 

Not that they've arrived at this superior faith by their "superior wisdom or knowledge."  In the words of this song, "Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but to Your Name give glory, because of Your mercy, because of Your truth!"

The rest of mankind will indeed ask, "So where is their God?"  But those whom God has delivered can say, "But our God is in heaven; He does whatever He pleases!"  In other words, He's the real God, not at all like the ones invented by unbelievers and represented by idols.

The believers who sing this song actually do a little mocking of idolators.  They mock the "invented" gods of the heathen, the gods that have all the appearance of living beings, but who can't do anything for their worshippers.  In contrast to such vain idolatry they sing, "O Israel, trust in the Lord; He is their help and their shield!"  The true God really does help, really does defend His people.  In fact, the song goes on, "The Lord has been mindful of us; He will bless us; He will bless the house of Israel; He will bless the house of Aaron. He will bless those who fear the Lord, both small and great." The worshippers praise a real GOD Who really acts in the daily affairs of history!

Such a real and living God pronounces a benediction upon His people, a benediction He can really fulfill.  The worship leader confidently sings, "May the Lord give you increase more and more, you and your children.  May you be blessed by the Lord Who made heaven and earth!"

It's a wonderful thing to be delivered from both idolatry and unbelief and to worship the true and living God! Because of it the people can close by saying, "The heaven, even the heavens are the Lord's; but the earth He has given to the children of men!"  In other words, He is the One Who gives us a place to live and things to do in His world!  In other words, He's THE real God. Unbelieving people will die and "go down into silence," but we (the believing) will bless the (real) Lord from this time forth and forevermore!"

Is your God real?  Or is He only a figment of your imagination?  What I'm asking is, have you created a god in your own mind, or do you worship and serve the God Who created you?  Has God delivered you from materialistic idolatry?  Do you know Him, worship Him, and serve Him?  If you do, then you ought to praise and thank Him for deliverance from the gods of this world!

Al, just to let you know that I am still 'saving' your series on Psalms.  Love them.  

Thank you for saying so Etta Sue!  I wish I could convey to you how encouraging it is to receive a reply like that.  May our Father greatly bless us in the use of His Word.

Yes, my God is real!  Praise the Lord that He is!

What a wonderful Psalm this is today, Alan, and your devotional has certainly brought it to life for me.

May our Lord also bless our use of His Word every day.