Psalm 135-136

Focus

Who would be so foolish to make an idol like the Israelites did with the golden calf and worship it?  It seems even more unfathomable when you consider all the miracles God performed that they saw with their own eyes: the Red Sea splitting, manna and water in the desert, and pillars of cloud and fire, to name just a few.

Psalm 135: 15-18 sums it up, The idols of the nations are silver and gold, made by human hands. They have mouths, but cannot speak, eyes, but cannot see. They have ears, but cannot hear, nor is there breath in their mouths. Those who make them will be like them, and so will all who trust in them. (NIV)

Even though we may not worship idols, when we set our affection on things of the earth (Colossians 3:2 KJV), we develop idolatrous hearts. It’s a sobering thought that we become like what we worship. As we set our attention on the God, focusing on Him and His word, our thoughts and actions become more like God’s. Conversely, as we make the values of the world our aim, we become more like it.

Psalm 135:3 reminds us that the Lord is good. And Psalm136 repeats, “His love endures forever.” If we center on God’s goodness, we’ll do the good works he called us to (Ephesians 2:10). When we concentrate on His enduring love we will obey His command to love the Lord and people (Matthew 22:35-41).

Let’s get our attention off the things of the world: power, position and possessions.  Friendship with the world means enmity with God. (James 4:4 NIV) Let’s focus on the wonderful Triune God, and make it our aim and prayer to be more like Christ.

 

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Colossians 3:1-4 (NIV)

 

 

 

Connie L. Peters has thirty years of experience in writing poetry, adult and children’s fiction and inspirational non-fiction. Currently she writes devotions for The Presidential Prayer Team and The Pagosa Sun. She also writes a poem a day on enthusiaticsoul.blogspot.com. Connie’s work has appeared in numerous publications including Focus on the Family, Bible Advocate and The Quiet Hour. She has served on the board of Southwest Christian Writers Association for the past twenty years. Connie lives in Cortez, CO where she and her husband host two adults with developmental disabilities. The Peterses’ two grown children live in Arizona.