May 30, 2011
This Psalm begins and ends with praise, how we should live our lives. In between there is two thoughts: God is all-powerful and can do all things; and it is worthless to try and be in control yourself.
Verse 5 - "I know that the LORD is great. Our LORD is greater than all the gods." He created heaven and earth. The rain, wind, and lightning answer to Him. Punishment, accountability, and the kings of all nations are controlled by Him. He decides who is given what. He is everlasting. He will never fade away. He will be remembered forever. Verse 13 (KJV) - "Thy name, O LORD, endureth forever; and thy memorial, O LORD, through out all generations." (Today is Memorial Day!) He defends his people. NIV says He vindicates His people. He has mercy on those who depend on Him.
Then you have the flip side. Anything we worship more than God comes from our finite hands and is worthless. Mouths—but cannot speak. Eyes—but cannot see. Ears—but cannot hear, and no breath in their mouths. Verse 18 - "People who make idols will be like them, and so will those who trust them." Dead to the truth, blind, deaf, and totally deceived. They think they are wise but they are fools.
I like how Billy Graham puts it in his book, The Approaching Hoofbeats ~
Idolatry angers God. He hates it! He is a jealous God and anything we rely on more than Him takes us away from Him. All of us (continually) need to be on guard and to make sure that our faith and trust is in Christ alone. Otherwise we will find ourselves blind, deaf, mute, and dead in our walk with Christ. I never want to be in that position. I never want my actions to anger God. I never want God to hate who I have become.
The beginning and the end: PRAISE THE LORD.
Next Entry: Psalm 136
This Psalm begins and ends with praise, how we should live our lives. In between there is two thoughts: God is all-powerful and can do all things; and it is worthless to try and be in control yourself.
Verse 5 - "I know that the LORD is great. Our LORD is greater than all the gods." He created heaven and earth. The rain, wind, and lightning answer to Him. Punishment, accountability, and the kings of all nations are controlled by Him. He decides who is given what. He is everlasting. He will never fade away. He will be remembered forever. Verse 13 (KJV) - "Thy name, O LORD, endureth forever; and thy memorial, O LORD, through out all generations." (Today is Memorial Day!) He defends his people. NIV says He vindicates His people. He has mercy on those who depend on Him.
Then you have the flip side. Anything we worship more than God comes from our finite hands and is worthless. Mouths—but cannot speak. Eyes—but cannot see. Ears—but cannot hear, and no breath in their mouths. Verse 18 - "People who make idols will be like them, and so will those who trust them." Dead to the truth, blind, deaf, and totally deceived. They think they are wise but they are fools.
I like how Billy Graham puts it in his book, The Approaching Hoofbeats ~
"We have our idols today, because an idol is something that you worship in place of the living God... What is your idol? What really honestly, dominates your life? What are your priorities, and what are the real (although perhaps hidden) motives in your everyday living? Is Christ on the throne of your life or is it self?... Anything that entices you away from a wholehearted commitment to Christ is being used of Satan to deceive you."Well said. Graham also mentioned the idol of beauty or sexual pleasure; the idol of money and security (although I have observed that the more money some people have the more insecure they become); and the idol and shrine of power, constantly scheming for ways to dominate others.
Idolatry angers God. He hates it! He is a jealous God and anything we rely on more than Him takes us away from Him. All of us (continually) need to be on guard and to make sure that our faith and trust is in Christ alone. Otherwise we will find ourselves blind, deaf, mute, and dead in our walk with Christ. I never want to be in that position. I never want my actions to anger God. I never want God to hate who I have become.
The beginning and the end: PRAISE THE LORD.
Next Entry: Psalm 136
No comments:
Post a Comment