PSALM 115

Theme: God is alive. He is thinking about us and caring for us, and we should put him first in our lives.

Author: Anonymous

https://www.biblestudytools.com/psalms/115.html

1 Not to us, LORD, not to us but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness. 2 Why do the nations say, “Where is their God?” 3 Our God is in heaven; he does whatever pleases him. 4 But their idols are silver and gold, made by human hands. 5 They have mouths, but cannot speak, eyes, but cannot see. 6 They have ears, but cannot hear, noses, but cannot smell. 7 They have hands, but cannot feel, feet, but cannot walk, nor can they utter a sound with their throats. 8 Those who make them will be like them, and so will all who trust in them. 9 All you Israelites, trust in the LORD— he is their help and shield. 10 House of Aaron, trust in the LORD— he is their help and shield. 11 You who fear him, trust in the LORD— he is their help and shield. 12 The LORD remembers us and will bless us: He will bless his people Israel, he will bless the house of Aaron, 13 he will bless those who fear the LORD— small and great alike. 14 May the LORD cause you to flourish, both you and your children. 15 May you be blessed by the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth. 16 The highest heavens belong to the LORD, but the earth he has given to mankind. 17 It is not the dead who praise the LORD, those who go down to the place of silence; 18 it is we who extol the LORD, both now and forevermore. Praise the LORD.

115--118 Psalms 115--118 were traditionally sung at the Passover meal, commemorating Israel's escape from slavery in Egypt (Exodus 11, 12).

115:1 The psalmist asked that God's name, not the nation's, be glorified. To often we ask God to glorify his name with ours. For example, we may pray for help to do a good job so that our work will be noticed. Or we may ask that a presentation go well so we will get applause. There is nothing wrong with looking good or impressing others, the problem comes when we want to look good no matter what happens to God's reputation in the process. Before you pray, ask yourself, "Who will get the credit if God answers my prayer?"

115:4-8 When the psalms were written, many people worshiped idols--statues of wood, stone, or metal. They took pride in what they could see and had contempt for what they couldn't see. Today, we still may value tangible objects (home, clothing, possessions) rather than intangible realities (spiritual growth, salvation, giving to those in need, spending time with loved ones). Those who spend their time obtaining tangible objects are as foolish and empty as the idols themselves. (For more on the foolishness of idols, see Isaiah 44:9-20.)

115:12 "The Lord remembers us," says the psalm writer. What a fantastic truth! There are many times when we feel isolated, alone, and abandoned, even by God. In reality, he sees, understands, and thinks about us. When depressed by problems or struggling with self-worth, be encouraged that God keeps you in his thoughts. If he thinks about you, surely his help is near.

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Sometimes I don't think about my motivations for doing things. Sometimes I don't think about the impact of what I do or what credit may or may not come to me because of it. So, to think that the almighty Creator of all is thinking of me, is caring for me, is incredible. Just imagine if we (all of God's creation) were inclined to glorify him as he created us to do. How glorious that would be! Talk about fulfillment of purpose...wowee.

Lord, thank you for making us be. Let us be mindful of you and glorifying you to the best of our abilities. Work through us for your glory and help our endeavors bring about your desired intent. We know your glory is unlimited. Infuse our homes and our nations with it. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.

A Song: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=hOirru1t-To

Have a blessed day.