Trust in the Lord (Psalm 115) Part 1

Trust in the Lord (Psalm 115).

Have you ever felt forsaken? Have you ever felt as if there was no one who cared for you? You were alone in this world and there was nothing which could change that fact. It is important that Christians cling to a number of people who are close to us. We cling to family members who have been an important part of our lives regardless if they are members of the one body or not. The same goes for our friends. We also cling to our spiritual family who is there for us when times get tough. Most importantly, it is vitally important that we cling to God. He is the One who can help us out the most.

If you have a Bible handy it would be of great value to find Psalm 115. Verses two and three point out that this was written during some sort of tribulation within Israel. Many have state this could have been written during the Babylonian captivity. The Israelites, with the encouragement of their captors, would have felt forsaken by their God. It was imperative to encourage these Israelites to “Trust in the Lord.” There are three important reasons why.

Trust in the Lord Because of His Limitless Power (v. 1-8).

He is Omnipotent and Will Do What is Right (v. 1-3).

“Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory, for thy mercy, and for thy truth's sake. Wherefore should the heathen say, Where is now their God? But our God is in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased” (Psalm 115:1-3). The Psalm begins with a reminder of who truly deserves glory. He was to receive praise because of the mercy He shows to His creation. This praise is also rendered for the sake of His truth. This reminder is given because Israel is under some sort of torment at this time. The heathen people are mocking these Israelites and the God of Heaven. Think of the words being used against the Israelites. “Where is not their God?” The Israelites, if the time period is correct, are currently under bondage to the world power that is Babylon. “Their God was mighty and powerful in the past but where is He now? Surely, He cannot be that powerful because He flees from the might of our armies!” It could have also hinted at the idea that many had during this time. The “god” of a certain people was a regional god. The God of Israel would only be able to exert His powers over the lands of Israel but no further. It would be statements like this which would encourage the Israelites to ditch the God of their fathers and follow after the gods of the persecutors.

The Psalmist gives the perfect response to these accusations. God is not merely a “regional” god. God is in Heaven! He can come and go as He pleases. This gives the idea that God is an omnipotent being. He is in the heavens and whatever He has done, it was done according to His pleasure. This also shows that whatever it is that God has done, it is right. It does not matter how man may feel about the subject. One may protest all day long but God’s doings are right doings. The children of Israel’s current predicament were done due to their actions and their willingness to transgress the will of God. Therefore, what He has done to them is right.