Psalm 115

Not to us, O LORD, not to us but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness.

Why do the nations say, “Where is their God?”   Our God is in heaven; He does whatever pleases him.

But their idols are silver and gold, made by the hands of men. They have mouths, but cannot speak, eyes, but they cannot see; they have ears, but cannot hear, noses, but they cannot smell; they have hands, but cannot feel, feet, but they cannot walk; nor can they utter a sound with their throats.  Those who make them will be like them, and so will all who trust in them.

O house of Israel, trust in the LORD-he is their help and shield.  O house of Aaron, trust in the LORD-He is their help and shield. You who fear him, trust in the LORD- he is their help and shield.

The LORD remembers us and 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-small and great alike. May the LORD make you increase, both you and your children. May you be blessed by the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.

The highest heavens belong to the LORD, but the earth he has given to man. It is not the dead who praise the LORD, those who go down to silence; it is we who extol the LORD, both now and forevermore. Praise the LORD.

Man made gods routinely fail their makers.   They may have the form of godliness, but none of the function.  They have the semblance but not the substance.  When the chips are down they really can’t do anything.

But we who know we’re God made men will never be disappointed. When we love Him we discover he’s loving.  When we place our faith in Him we see that He’s faithful.  When we trust Him we find Him to be trustworthy.

Like the Psalmist wrote, we all become like the gods we worship.  Those who worship man made gods will become like them, helpless and worthless, fit only for the fires of judgment.  Meanwhile we who worship our Creator become more like Him, more loving, more faithful, more trustworthy, and are destined to dwell in the house of the Lord forever.  Not because we’re better but because He is.   It’s His Holy Spirit dwelling within us, conforming us to the image and likeness of His Son that does it. He offered His righteousness so we could attain ours.

But more than that, He provides for us and protects us along the way.  He’s a constant source of strength in times of need.  He’s the giver of every good and perfect gift, the Author of all our victories. He’s our Creator, our Savior, our Redeemer.  Our Lord and our God.

The last sentence in Psalm 115 is translated Praise the Lord.  In Hebrew it’s Hallelu Yah.  Hallelujah.