SOAP Journal 04-17-2008 (Psalm 115:4-8)
Scripture:
Psalm 115:4-8 Their idols are made of silver and gold – they are man-made. They have mouths, but cannot speak, eyes, but cannot see, ears, but cannot hear, noses, but cannot smell, hands, but cannot touch, feet, but cannot walk. They cannot even clear their throats. Those who make them will end up like them, as will everyone who trusts in them.
Observation:
The idols in this psalm have human features - they are made in human likeness but of course without the basic qualities of life. Their mouths, eyes, noses, hands and feet are dysfunctional. The most basic gesture or action is beyond them. The contrast is clear between their deadndess and the life of the Living God. These idols are not worthy of any honor or worship. Worse, those who do worship them become as dysfunctional as they are.
Application:
People don't make wooden idols any more. But we have many, many things we trust in rather than God. Those are the modern idols. And they have no more life than the graven images cast in the ancient world. They do NOT provide what we trust them to provide. They do NOT bless as we hope they will. They will NEVER bring what we trust them to bring. And worse, we become as unfaithful as they are, as dysfunctional and guilty of false advertising as they are.
Prayer:
Father, it is as Sheryl Crowe sings "It's not having what you want, it's wanting what you've got". I pray not to chase after the glittering thing, to have the restraint to let it sit on the shelf. And I pray to trust You instead - help me see those points of non-trust, of self-trust and reliance on other things to meet my needs. Show me the places where You have provided and I'll give you the praise. In Jesus' name. Amen
Psalm 115:4-8 Their idols are made of silver and gold – they are man-made. They have mouths, but cannot speak, eyes, but cannot see, ears, but cannot hear, noses, but cannot smell, hands, but cannot touch, feet, but cannot walk. They cannot even clear their throats. Those who make them will end up like them, as will everyone who trusts in them.
Observation:
The idols in this psalm have human features - they are made in human likeness but of course without the basic qualities of life. Their mouths, eyes, noses, hands and feet are dysfunctional. The most basic gesture or action is beyond them. The contrast is clear between their deadndess and the life of the Living God. These idols are not worthy of any honor or worship. Worse, those who do worship them become as dysfunctional as they are.
Application:
People don't make wooden idols any more. But we have many, many things we trust in rather than God. Those are the modern idols. And they have no more life than the graven images cast in the ancient world. They do NOT provide what we trust them to provide. They do NOT bless as we hope they will. They will NEVER bring what we trust them to bring. And worse, we become as unfaithful as they are, as dysfunctional and guilty of false advertising as they are.
Prayer:
Father, it is as Sheryl Crowe sings "It's not having what you want, it's wanting what you've got". I pray not to chase after the glittering thing, to have the restraint to let it sit on the shelf. And I pray to trust You instead - help me see those points of non-trust, of self-trust and reliance on other things to meet my needs. Show me the places where You have provided and I'll give you the praise. In Jesus' name. Amen
posted by Sage @ 1:21 PM
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