Prayer, Praise and Promises 10/13

Author: Warren Wiersbe
Source: Prayer, Praise and Promises
Scripture Reference: Psalm 115:9-18

Dead Faith

Read Psalm 115:9-18

Years ago there was a "God is dead" movement in theology. Of course, He is very much alive, as Psalm 115 tells us: "But our God is in heaven. He does whatever He pleases" (v. 3). The problem with people is not that God is dead but that their faith is dead. They do not have living faith in the living God.

The psalmist addresses three groups of people in this passage. First, he speaks to the nation. "O Israel, trust in the Lord; He is their help and their shield" (v. 9). Then he talks to the priests. "O house of Aaron, trust in the Lord; He is their help and their shield" (v. 10). Then He talks to all believers. "You who fear the Lord, trust in the Lord; He is their help and their shield" (v. 11).

If we are going to have the kind of relationship with God that we ought to have, if He is going to be to us the living God with living power and blessing, first of all we must trust Him. That means to rely on Him, to believe that what He says is right and true, that He does not lie. It means to believe that what God is doing is the best thing for us. He is our Help. He is our Shield. He is our Provision. He is our Protection and our Security. He also is our Sufficiency.

Second, we must fear Him. "He will bless those who fear the Lord, both small and great" (v. 13). The blessing that He gives is the best blessing. To fear God means to show reverence to Him, to respect Him when He speaks and acts, to have a heart that does not tempt or test Him.

Third, we must bless Him. "But we will bless the Lord from this time forth and forevermore. Praise the Lord!" (v. 18). We are always asking God to bless us, but the psalmist says, "We bless God."

* * *

When you fear the Lord, trust Him and experience the blessings He has for you, you cannot help but bless Him. If your relationship with Him is what it ought to be, then you will be praising Him "from this time forth and forevermore."

Psalm 115:9-18 (New International Version)

9 O house of Israel, trust in the LORD—
he is their help and shield.

10 O house of Aaron, trust in the LORD—
he is their help and shield.

11 You who fear him, trust in the LORD—
he is their help and shield.

12 The LORD remembers us and will bless us:
He will bless the house of Israel,
he will bless the house of Aaron,

13 he will bless those who fear the LORD—
small and great alike.

14 May the LORD make you increase,
both you and your children.

15 May you be blessed by the LORD,
the Maker of heaven and earth.

16 The highest heavens belong to the LORD,
but the earth he has given to man.

17 It is not the dead who praise the LORD,
those who go down to silence;

18 it is we who extol the LORD,
both now and forevermore.
Praise the LORD. [a]
Footnotes:

1. Psalm 115:18 Hebrew Hallelu Yah