Read: Psalm 115
Devotion: One of the greatest encouraging and comforting truths for God’s people is that our God is in the heavens and that he does all that he pleases. This is the point of Psalm 115: Our Lord is in the sovereign One, so we can trust in him (vv. 9-11).
We’re not told what occasion was the impetus for writing this psalm, or whether this is early in Israel’s national history or late. But there is good reason for such an omission. This psalm is applicable for every moment and season of life, and certainly any moment that you have fears (v. 11).
The psalm starts with a plea, but one that we might not expect. It’s a request for God to give his own name glory. Later there is prayer for protection, for blessing, and for help which all spring from God’s steadfast love and faithfulness toward His people. But the psalmist first calls on the people through this plea to have the right mind.
Their ultimate good is the glory of God, because God is the God of steadfast love and faithfulness. So however God moves, whatever God brings to pass in our lives, whatever he allows to happen, no matter how much temporary sorrow it may bring, may it first be to the praise of his glory.
Then the psalmist gets into the confidence that the believer has in their God and the request at hand. Why should the nations, the pagans, the idol worshippers, say, “Where is their God?” This is a time in Israel’s life where it looks to outsiders like God isn’t helping his people. It doesn’t look like God is answering their prayers. It is a time of uncertainty and God’s people are fearing the future.
So, the psalm is an implicit request of God to move on behalf of his people for the sake of his own glory. But again, the psalmist turns the believer’s eyes heavenward as they wait. The nations may ask where our God is, but we know where he is. Our God sits in the heavens that he created where he rules with omnipotent authority. Whatever He wants to do, He does.
This truth would be absolutely terrifying if we were God’s enemies, but we’re his people in Christ, and so this reality should be immensely comforting.
All of the idols of the world, in stark contrast, are nothing. They may be carved and fashioned to have mouths and ears and noses and arms and legs, but they are impotent because they are truly nothing. They can accomplish nothing. They can answer no prayer. They can give no hope or wisdom. They can do nothing.
So, believer, don’t turn to idols or other outside help. If you worship them you become like them: impotent and weak, unable to do anything of worth. Trust wholly and exclusively in Yahweh. Trust in Christ.
Who is your help and shield? It’s so nice the psalmist said it thrice: It’s the Lord! The sovereign One of heaven who does all that pleases and who is full of steadfast love and faithfulness. He doesn’t forget his people, He blesses them! Whatever he may allow to come to pass it is accomplishing his good purposes.
Our default outlook toward the future, then, shouldn’t be one of fear or trepidation or assuming the worst, as if God doing whatever he wants may be to our benefit or, just as equally, our detriment. No! It is always to our benefit if we are in Christ!
The idol worshippers don’t have that guarantee. In fact, they have opposite guarantee. Not only can their gods not assure them of anything, but the One True God has assured them that they will be destroyed unless they abandon their false gods and fall on the grace and mercy that is only found in Christ.
Therefore, we lay our requests humbly before the Lord and rest in the confidence that no matter how he answers those prayers, it will be the best possible answer we could have received (vv. 14-15). We look to the future, not with a fearful pessimism, but with a joyful expectation and a mouth filled with the praises of our sovereign Lord.
Praise the Lord, for he sits in the heavens and does all that he pleases!
Ponder and Pray: Consider how we can we grow in our confidence and trust in the Lord? How does remembering the saving work of Christ help us in this? Finish your time by praising God for his absolute sovereignty over all creation.
