"Whom Shall I Trust?"(Psalm 115)

 Psalm 115

John Calvin identified the "Awareness of God" when he noticed that all people need something to rely on. People need to rely on something especially when they are facing struggles. 

For Christians, we rely on God to help us during difficult times, but we need to ask why we can trust in God only and not other sources. Psalm 115 gives some insight into this.

The author of Psalm 115 talks about how idols do not give any true hope. The idols of the Old Testament were statues or objects that people made.

Their idols are silver and gold, the work of human hands.

Psalm 115:4 ESV

The things we create are not evil, but when we start to worship or put our trust in these creations, we turn them into idols. We like the physical things. We want to see and touch it. Money, food or other assets are sought after because we need them and it is easy to put our trust in them.

They have mouths, but do not speak; eyes, but do not see. They have ears, but do not hear; noses, but do not smell. They have hands, but do not feel; feet, but do not walk; and they do not make a sound in their throat. Those who make them become like them; so do all who trust in them.

Psalm 115:5‭-‬8 ESV

Our idols, those things we put our trust in, become personifications. The reality is that although there is some temporary relief, they are not like God. God does speak, listen and is with us.

A kindergarten may take care of children, but it is not the same as a parent. A parent has their children forever and they sacrifice for them. A kindergarten teacher is only with the children for a short time and they are being paid for it. Similar to God and idols, God is always our God and we are his children.

The Lord has remembered us; he will bless us; he will bless the house of Israel; he will bless the house of Aaron; he will bless those who fear the Lord, both the small and the great. May the Lord give you increase, you and your children! May you be blessed by the Lord, who made heaven and earth!

Psalm 115:12‭-‬15 ESV

God knows us and does not forget us or our problems. We know where our help comes from and it is only God who can truly help us. We need to trust God because He is the only one who can help us.

The heavens are the Lord’s heavens, but the earth he has given to the children of man. The dead do not praise the Lord, nor do any who go down into silence. But we will bless the Lord from this time forth and forevermore. Praise the Lord!

Psalm 115:16‭-‬18 ESV

We cannot be passive Christians. We have to actively follow God and actively trust God. It is not enough just to wait for God while doing nothing. We actively wait for God through prayer, reading the Bible, coming to church, following God's commandments, being still, and pressing on.

Yes, we trust in God, and for good reasons, but we must be actively practicing trust in God and not other idols.