“Their idols are silver and gold, the works of human hands. 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.” (Psalm 115:4-7)

The gods of the nations are false gods, idols of silver and gold. Those idols are created by the worshippers. It follows, doesn’t it that if you create a god you can create it to your own liking. You can even change it over time or if you so choose outgrow it. No matter how close the idol resembles a live thing it is not. It may have mouths, eyes, ears, and so on but they will not function. The one thing no idol has, regardless of the skill in making it, is life. Not only do idols lack life of their own they cannot bequeath life to their worshippers.

This psalm suggests that the people of God should trust in the Lord. The reason: He is their help and shield. The psalm reminds us that our God is not the creation of our hands but the very opposite is true. We are His creation. Every material thing that can be seen, felt, heard or sensed is created by God. Idols can’t detect them much less create them. When you think about it why has mankind consistently sought gods that are the works of human hands?

Even today, when we would sneer at an idol actually made from silver or gold we insist on some other manmade thing being our god. Some worship the actual silver and gold, others the things the silver and gold can buy. Some go so far as to idolize other humans or human institutions.

Task for Today: Take a few moments and think about what idols might be in your world, your life. What material object or idea do you put first in your thinking and planning? If it’s created, it’s a false god. If you can control it, it’s a false god. Decide today to make the creator of the universe your God and have no other God before Him.