Glory to God: The Futility of Idolatry

Psalm 115 is a profound reminder of where true glory belongs and the futility of idolatry. This psalm, part of a collection sung during Passover, was likely on the lips of Jesus and His disciples during the Last Supper. It begins with a powerful declaration: "Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but to Your name give glory." This sets the tone for the entire psalm, emphasizing that all glory belongs to God alone, not to His people, even when they participate in His works. The psalmist underscores this by recalling the deliverance from Egypt, where the Israelites' actions were necessary but not the source of glory. The glory was God's alone.

The psalm contrasts the living God with the lifeless idols of the nations. These idols, made of silver and gold, are the work of human hands and lack the ability to see, hear, or act. In stark contrast, our God is in heaven and does whatever He pleases. The psalmist warns that those who make and trust in idols become like them—lifeless and powerless. This serves as a spiritual law: we become like what we worship. Therefore, worshiping the true God transforms us into His likeness, while idolatry degrades us.

The psalm calls on Israel, the house of Aaron, and all who fear the Lord to trust in Him, for He is their help and shield. This trust is not just an acknowledgment of God's trustworthiness but an active reliance on Him. The psalm assures us of God's blessing, both small and great, and extends this blessing to future generations. It concludes with a call to praise the Lord, recognizing His dominion over heaven and earth and the responsibility He has given humanity to steward the earth wisely.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Glory Belongs to God Alone: The psalmist emphasizes that all glory should be directed to God, not to His people, even when they are involved in His works. This is a reminder that our actions, though necessary, are not the source of glory. True glory belongs to God, who works through us. [03:38]
• 2. The Futility of Idolatry: Idols, though crafted with human features, are lifeless and powerless. Worshiping them degrades us, as we become like what we worship. In contrast, worshiping the living God transforms us into His likeness, lifting us up rather than dragging us down. [12:46]
• 3. Trust in the Lord: The psalm calls us to actively place our trust in God, who is our help and shield. This trust goes beyond acknowledging God's trustworthiness; it involves relying on Him in all circumstances, rather than turning to idols or other false securities. [21:49]
• 4. God's Blessing is for All: The psalm assures us of God's blessing for both the small and the great, extending to future generations. This highlights God's inclusive nature and His desire to bless all who trust in Him, regardless of their status or position. [28:52]
• 5. Praise Now and Forever: The psalm concludes with a call to praise the Lord from now and forevermore. This eternal praise is a response to God's dominion over heaven and earth and His blessings upon us. It reminds us that our praise should be continuous, both in this life and the life to come. [39:01]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:20] - Introduction to Psalm 115
• [01:03] - Jesus and the Passover Psalms
• [02:02] - Structure and Liturgical Use
• [02:38] - Verse-by-Verse Exploration
• [03:09] - Glory to God Alone
• [04:11] - Passover and God's Deliverance
• [05:07] - The Godly Man's Motto
• [06:38] - God's Mercy and Truth
• [08:50] - Exalting God Over Idols
• [10:07] - The Folly of Idolatry
• [12:46] - Becoming Like What We Worship
• [19:43] - Call to Trust in the Lord
• [26:37] - Assurance of God's Blessing
• [31:32] - Praise in Heaven and Earth
• [39:37] - Pointing to Jesus Christ

1. What is the significance of the repeated phrase "Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but to Your name give glory" in Psalm 115? ([03:38])
2. How does the psalmist describe the idols of the nations, and what characteristics do they lack? ([09:35])
3. According to the sermon, what are the three groups called to trust in the Lord in Psalm 115? ([19:43])
4. How does the psalmist contrast the living God with the idols in terms of their abilities and actions? ([10:07])

1. Why does the psalmist emphasize that glory belongs to God alone, even when His people participate in His works? How does this perspective affect our understanding of our role in God's plans? ([03:38])
2. What does the sermon suggest about the spiritual law that "we become like what we worship"? How does this principle apply to both ancient and modern forms of idolatry? ([17:59])
3. How does the call to trust in the Lord as our help and shield challenge the way we typically seek security and protection in our lives? ([21:49])
4. In what ways does the psalm assure us of God's blessing for both the small and the great? How does this reflect God's inclusive nature? ([28:52])

1. Reflect on a time when you sought recognition for your efforts. How can you shift your focus to give glory to God instead? ([03:38])
2. Identify a "modern idol" in your life that you might be placing trust in. What steps can you take to redirect your trust towards God? ([12:46])
3. Consider a situation where you relied on your own strength rather than trusting God as your help and shield. How can you actively place your trust in Him in similar situations in the future? ([21:49])
4. How can you be a blessing to both "small" and "great" people in your community, reflecting God's inclusive nature? ([28:52])
5. The psalm calls for continuous praise to God. What practical steps can you take to incorporate praise into your daily routine, both now and forevermore? ([39:01])
6. Think of a specific area in your life where you need to steward the earth wisely. What changes can you make to align with the responsibility given to humanity in Psalm 115? ([33:22])
7. How can the example of Jesus singing this psalm before His crucifixion inspire you to praise God in difficult times? ([40:50])