Who We Are Flows From What We Worship

SCRIPTURE - Psalm 115:4-8

“But their idols are silver and gold, made by the hands of men.  They have mouths, but cannot speak, eyes, but they cannot see; they have ears, but cannot hear, noses, but they cannot smell; they have hands, but cannot feel; feet, but they cannot walk; nor can they utter a sound with their throats.

Those who make them will be like them, and so will all who trust in them.”

OBSERVATION:

I guess the main point of this passage is that we are always smaller than the things we worship.

To me, this illustrates or amplifies our divine design.  We were created with a need for significance and we were created with a draw toward worship.  These two things are connected in the sense that we find our significance in worship - in the things that we hold dear to us in our hearts.  These things are on our minds, shape our values, establish our self worth, plan our futures, and define our significance.

When we build idols of worship - carreers, relationships, academia, power, position, recognition, etc. - we will never grow beyond those things.  We are never bigger than the thigs we worship.

APPLICATION:

While I may work hard in my career, have close relationships, grow in knowlege, and possess titles, I must keep my perspective straight.  These are things I possess, they don’t possess me.  The moment they do is the moment I have given them my heart and have set them up as idols - I have begun to worship them.  This is also the moment that I must lay them down and realign the focus of my worship to the only one fit for it. God is the only one who is worthy and capable of possessing my life and receiving my worship.

PRAYER:

Father, there are always things vying for my attention and my worship.  Many of them seem harmless and others are blatantly evil.  Help me to be wise enough to discern my own heart, strong enough to defy my hearts desires, and humble enough to call on your help when I am struggling.  Forgive me for allowing things to steal my thoughts and allowing desires to occupy space in my heart.  I love you Lord and give you my life and my worship.