Behold, Believe, Become

Today’s Bible reading is Psalm 135.

The idols of the nations are silver and gold,
the work of human hands.
They have mouths, but do not speak;
they have eyes, but do not see;
they have ears, but do not hear,
nor is there any breath in their mouths.
Those who make them become like them,
so do all who trust in them. (Psa 135:15-18)

We become what we behold and believe.

The idols of the nations couldn’t speak, see, or hear. They were the lifeless works of human hands–unable to consider, discern, or deliver. But human beings become what we behold and believe. Describing the man who would pray to the idol of his own making–“Deliver me, for you are my god!”–Isaiah laments:

“They know not, nor do they discern, for he has shut their eyes, so that they cannot see, and their hearts, so that they cannot understand. No one considers, nor is there knowledge or discernment to say, ‘Half of it I burned in the fire; I also baked bread on its coals; I roasted meat and have eaten. And shall I make the rest of it an abomination? Shall I fall down before a block of wood?’ He feeds on ashes; a deluded heart has led him astray, and he cannot deliver himself…” (Isa 44:18-20)

Eyes that couldn’t see, ears that couldn’t hear, and hearts that didn’t understand. But Isaiah wasn’t talking about the blocks of wood. He was talking about people who slowly became what they beheld and believed.

Isn’t that why the Holy Spirit calls us to “behold” some One, not some thing? Someone worthy of our belief and becoming?

We all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit. (2 Cor 3:18)

We become what we behold and believe, which ought to lead to some humble reflection and self-evaluation. What or who has my attention? With what am I filling my mind and fueling my heart? Is it true? Is he honorable? Is this just? Is that pure? Is she commendable? Are they worthy of praise?

We become what we behold and believe. The only question is whether we will be led deeper into delusion or further into glory.