Not to us, O LORD, not to us,
but to your name goes all the glory
for your unfailing love and faithfulness.
Why let the nations say,
“Where is their God?”
Our God is in the heavens,
and he does as he wishes.
Their idols are merely things of silver and gold,
shaped by human hands.
They have mouths but cannot speak,
and eyes but cannot see.
They have ears but cannot hear,
and noses but cannot smell.
They have hands but cannot feel,
and feet but cannot walk,
and throats but cannot make a sound.
And those who make idols are just like them,
as are all who trust in them.

Psalm 115:1-8

Praise the LORD, all you nations.
Praise him, all you people of the earth.
For his unfailing love for us is powerful;
the LORD’s faithfulness endures forever.

Praise the LORD!
Psalm 117

• The other day, Psalm 106 confessed Israel's failure with idols, Psalm 115 is a bold declaration of the nature of the true God versus the nothingness of idols.
• The core theme is clear: Where do we place our trust? In the living God, or in dead things? 
• "Not to us, O LORD, not to us": This is a powerful opening. It immediately establishes that the focus of all praise and honor belongs solely to God, not to humanity or any other entity. It's a prayer of humility and devotion.
• Our primary motivation in life, and especially in worship, should be to give God glory, not to gain it for ourselves. His character, particularly His love and faithfulness, is the foundation of our trust and praise.
• This is the challenge from unbelievers – "Where is your God?" They see no tangible proof.
• The psalmist's answer: Our God is not limited by earthly constraints. He is transcendent, in control, and sovereign. He acts according to His will, not according to our expectations or visible manifestations.
• Our God: Living, active, seeing, hearing, speaking, doing as He pleases, in the heavens.
• Idols: Man-made, inanimate, deaf, dumb, blind, immobile, powerless. They are nothing.
• Idols, whether ancient statues or modern pursuits, are utterly powerless. 
• They are creations, not the Creator. 
• They cannot help, save, or even perceive. 
• Trusting in them is to trust in a void.
• This is the chilling warning and profound spiritual principle: We become like what we worship or what we put our ultimate trust in.
• If you worship the living God, you become more alive, more loving, more faithful, more just, more gracious, reflecting His character.
• If you worship something dead and powerless (like an idol or anything else that takes God's place), you become deadened, unresponsive, and ultimately, unable to truly live or help others.
• Our worship shapes our character. The object of our worship determines our spiritual vitality and our capacity for true life.
• While we don't bow to silver and gold statues, we live in a world full of potential idols: money, career, relationships, comfort, security, social media, entertainment, political ideologies, even self-reliance.
• We become like what we worship. If we truly worship the living, all-powerful, loving, and faithful God, we will be transformed into His likeness.
• Psalm 115 is a radical call to exclusive devotion to the one true God. 
• Our only hope, our only source of life, and our only path to true flourishing lies in placing our complete trust and worship in Him alone. 
• Don't be fooled by the empty promises of idols; they will only leave you barren and unfulfilled. 
• Choose the living God!

Take a moment to consider what truly demands your ultimate allegiance and trust. Is there anything in your life that you rely on more than God, or that you seek ultimate fulfillment apart from Him? If it has "mouths but cannot speak" true wisdom, or "hands but cannot feel" your pain, it's an idol.