What are you allowing to influence your life?

Psalm 115:1–18 (ESV):

Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name give glory, 

for the sake of your steadfast love and your faithfulness! 

 2  Why should the nations say, 

“Where is their God?” 

 3  Our God is in the heavens; 

he does all that he pleases. 

 4  Their idols are silver and gold, 

the work of human hands. 

 5  They have mouths, but do not speak; 

eyes, but do not see. 

 6  They have ears, but do not hear; 

noses, but do not smell. 

 7  They have hands, but do not feel; 

feet, but do not walk; 

and they do not make a sound in their throat. 

 8  Those who make them become like them; 

so do all who trust in them. 

 9  O Israel, trust in the Lord! 

He is their help and their shield. 

 10  O house of Aaron, trust in the Lord! 

He is their help and their shield. 

 11  You who fear the Lord, trust in the Lord! 

He is their help and their shield. 

 12  The Lord has remembered us; he will bless us; 

he will bless the house of Israel; 

he will bless the house of Aaron; 

 13  he will bless those who fear the Lord, 

both the small and the great. 

 14  May the Lord give you increase, 

you and your children! 

 15  May you be blessed by the Lord, 

who made heaven and earth! 

 16  The heavens are the Lord’s heavens, 

but the earth he has given to the children of man. 

 17  The dead do not praise the Lord, 

nor do any who go down into silence. 

 18  But we will bless the Lord 

from this time forth and forevermore. 

  Praise the Lord! 

What are you allowing to influence your life? Is it the living God or things that are created by human hands?

In the days this psalm was written, people worshipped man-made items which represented gods. This still happens in different religions and cultures, but in Western civilisation it is not as common. This does not mean that we are immune from idol-worship though. How about trusting in money, working to get a great house or saving for your dream car? Then, once that has been attained, endeavouring to protect, develop, appreciate and trust in the beauty, structure, success or safety these things seem to provide. This is how everyday things, stuff that we desire, or believe can make a foundational difference to our lives through their beneficial aspects, can become idols. Anything that is man-made that we find undue joy in, fascination or desire for, becomes an idol as we allow it to influence our lives. When an object begins to  have an impact on your behaviours, efforts, affections and finances, it has become and idol. 

Yet these things are designed and manufactured by mere mortals, by human hands, they will not last and will not fulfil your desires. They are designed for a purpose, but they are not meant to be worshipped and admired to the degree that they influence the pattern of your life. Ultimately the things that become idols  will not satisfy, bring hope, the joy they provide is short-lived and the security you find in them will wane. Something better might come along, there may be a disaster that strikes, and that thing will let you down. It was never meant to have such a prominent place in your heart and mind. What happens when the idol no longer satisfies, brings what you thought it would, or fails?

One of the problems is; idols have no hands, feet, ears to hear you, eyes to see you, or a mouth to speak to you. They cannot encourage you, comfort you, develop you or challenge you, yet they can change you. Be aware of how much you love and invest in stuff. Be on guard about how much of your attention and affection you provide to things. For the promise of this psalm is that those who desire such lifeless things ‘become like them’. Mute, immoveable, uncaring, stiff and lifeless. This is a stark warning. Is there is anything in your life that you are looking to for; satisfaction, security, guidance, hope, or a future, that isn’t God? Then consider - is it worth it? Surely you do not want to become as worthless, immoveable and mute as these idols! There is only One who is worthy of worship, who deserves all of your time, attention, finances and energy - that is the Lord God. Everything else should be in submission to Him. For in reality, He is the One who made everything, He alone is your help and shield, and is deserving of your trust. He alone can listen to and speak to you, He can comfort you, aid you and protect you. So, why worship the created when you can worship the creator?

‘Trust in the Lord’. He is the One who can offer real, intentional help and protection (v11). He has a mind to remember you (v12), He can bless you (v13) and impact your family for good (v14). Other things cannot, so do not give your life over to something that offers you less. Do not waste your time, money and efforts in attempting to build safety in man-made things. Do not put hope and joy in stuff, but consider where can you get real relationship, real security, real hope. Live your life trusting God and worshipping Him, the One who steadfastly loves you and is faithful. He will provide you with an everlasting security, hope and future, are you trusting in Him only?