Psalm 115:8
“Those who make them are like them; so is everyone who trusts in them.”
I remember being in a cultural anthropology class in college, when the professor said, “the Bible says man was created in the image of God, but I believe God was created in the image of man.” While I totally disagree with his rejection of Biblical truth, I do agree, that man has been creating gods in his image since the beginning of time. We like to pretend we are a more evolved and sophisticated race than our ancestors, but the reality is, mankind has not changed. We are still creating gods in our image. Whenever we pick and choose verses we like, and reject the ones that make us uncomfortable, we are creating God in our own image. The Psalmist speaks of the folly of that, when he declares;
Psalm 115:8 “Those who make them are like them; so is everyone who trusts in them.”
When we reduce the God of the Bible to the creation of our own mind, we create an impotent god who is unable to save from sin, or help in our times of weakness. Again, the Psalmist declares about their gods,
“They have mouths, but they do not speak; Eyes they have, but they do not see; They have ears, but they do not hear; Noses they have, but they do not smell; They have hands, but they do not handle; Feet they have, but they do not walk; Nor do they mutter through their throat.” Psalm 115:5-7
Not only are man-made gods unable to aid in times of trouble, but those who fashion them become like them. One of the great values of following closely after Jesus, is that we in turn, become like Him. Instead of being reduced from the purpose for which we were created, as we follow Jesus, we are transformed. Walking daily with Him, will result in our lives being transformed into His image, and we will be able to live up to the potential for which we were created.
Instead of rejecting God because there are things about Him you do not understand, or have a hard time believing, why not submit to Him, and allow Him to reveal Himself to you? If He is not real, what have you really lost? But if He is, you will find that your life is transformed and you will begin to experience what Jesus called “living waters,” welling up in you like a fountain of life.
Pastor Jim
Questions for Psalm 115
- In verse 1, notice because of God’s mercy and truth that His Name gets the Glory not the nation. Sometimes we ask God to glorify His Name with something we want to accomplish. When He answers your prayer and you get the attention, do you give God the credit?
- Verses 4-8 deals with idol worship. They created images shaped by their own hands. Today we still create idols in our life. An idol is something we love more than God, i.e.: tangible possessions, money, a person, etc. Have you found yourself there? Read verse 8, repent and trust in the one true God.
- From verse 9 until the end, we read the most fantastic truths. Notice the repeated phrases. Are you encouraged when you read that God is mindful of us and that He understands and thinks about us?
Old Testament:
Psalm 116- Love The Lord
1 Chronicles 20- Let’s Battle
1 Chronicles 21- Full Price
Jim Gallagher 