Today marks the release of Tim Keller’s new book, Counterfeit Gods, where he exposes the error of making good things “ultimate”…and shows readers a new path toward a hope that lasts. In light of that, I thought it particularly interesting that I came across Psalm 115 because of its treatment of idolatry. I was particularly taken by the imagery the psalmist uses to describe the lifelessness of idols and the life that those who make idols and those who worship them try to give to them. The context of this imagery, which is found in verses 4-8, is giving God the glory he alone deserves because of His sovereign power and abiding love. Yet instead of giving God the glory he so richly deserves, we steal it and give it to things that are far less deserving and satisfying. The psalmist wants us to see the absurdity of such a practice and he does it quite convincingly. He writes:
Their idols are silver and gold, the work of human hands.They have mouths, but do not speak; eyes, but do not see.They have ears, but do not hear; noses, but do not smell.They have hands, but do not feel; feet, but do not walk; and they do not make a sound in their throat.Those who make them become like them; so do all who trust in them.
I have to say that when I first read these verses, I immediately thought of the Geico television commercial in which they “personify” a stack of money to represent the money that could have been saved by switching to Geico for car insurance. Aside from the commercial being a bit goofy, I find it ironic that they have “personified” what has historically been one of man’s chief idols. Like the Psalmist description, “It has a mouth but does not speak and eyes but do not see.” Because our hearts are perpetual idol factories, there is a constant need for us to examine what we are giving our hearts to. What thing or person are we making more ultimate than God? What are we trusting in to make us feel fulfilled? What’s that one thing that if you had it would make your life complete? What is it that causes you to come alive inside? I find these questions difficult to ask because I know my heart is full of idols and is therefore dulled and divided. The danger of our idolatry is found in verse 8, those who make them become like them; so do all who trust in them. What is the remedy for our idolatry. It can only be the gospel of God’s grace. Only when we begin to embrace and believe in the unmerited, undeserved, costly, extravagant, steadfast love of God can we really become alive. Let us continually proclaim that to ourselves and one another.
brett eubank | unfinished 