Jump Start # 3840
Psalms 135:18 “Those who make them will be like them, yes, everyone who trusts in them.”
There is an interesting contrast that develops within the chapter that our passage is found. Beginning with praise to God, the writer transitions to the mighty acts and works of God. He begins with creation, then the tenth plague in Egypt, then the defeat of the Amorites, Bashan, Canaan. God gave Israel a land that He had promised.
From that, the chapter deviates to how useless idols are. Made by man. Made out of earth’s materials. The idols cannot see. They cannot speak. They have no breath. Being this way, the idol cannot help. It cannot see what is going on in your life. The idol cannot guide you, because it cannot speak. Not having breath, it is not even alive. The idol is worthless, useless, and helpless. It is of no value.
Then comes our verse today. Those that make them will be like them. What does that mean? Would the idol makers turn into stone and metal? Would they lose their sight and their hearing? Would the idol makers have to be carried about like the idols were?
The end of our verse helps us to understand. “Yes, everyone who trusts in them.” Those who trusted in the idols would become voices that no one paid attention to. They would have an influence that would not be of any value. They would build a house of cards upon the sands of life that would topple over with the first winds of adversity. Useless. Vain. Of no value. That’s the idols. That’s the hope for those who trusted in the idols. That’s the impact of idol makers. Empty. Useless. Accomplishing nothing worthwhile.
There was an old saying, “You are what you eat.” I’m not sure if I get what that is about. I eat chocolate, but I don’t think I’m chocolate. A better saying is, “It’s not what you eat, but what eats you that matters.” There are many things that eat us. Worry. Fear. Doubt. And, that’s the world of those whose hope is in vain things. But those who walk with the living God, they will find peace, comfort and purpose.
You will be like them…there is something to that idea.
First, this is true of the people we invite into our lives and hearts. You will be like them. Surround yourself with the people going to Heaven and you’ll be like them. Keep your foot in the world and fill your days with those who have no regard for the Lord and you’ll be like them. Good morals can be corrupted or ruined by the people we call friends, is what the Corinthians were warned. The line of right and wrong becomes changed. It is moved. The lines are erased. Wrong becomes right. This happens not from an intense study of God’s word, but from the evil companions that we include in our lives. You will be like them. It is always easier to go downhill than it is to go uphill. This is true walking, riding or in the morals of our lives.
Second, the thrust of the N.T. is for disciples to be like Jesus. Be holy as He is holy, is what Peter wrote. John said, “The one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked.” This is not a call to be stuck up, self righteous or carry a superior attitude. Jesus didn’t do that. But, it is a call to pull away from the lifeless world and follow the living God. The world promises much, but the words fail. The world holds a lot of hope, but it doesn’t come true. The idols of today, our jobs, materialism, stuff, entertainment, sports, can try to fulfill us, but they can’t. They try to define us, but it doesn’t work. Our lives are much more than our jobs and the things we possess. An apostle in a prison could tell disciples on the outside to rejoice. It’s not the circumstances but who we are that matters.
You do not have to be shaped by the world. You do not have to carry the attitudes of the world. While everyone is angry, you do not have to be. While everyone is complaining, you can be praising. While everyone is gloomy, you can be happy. Those that make the idols will become like them.
Third, the chapter of Psalms where our passage is found, ends with blessing the Lord. Five times in the last three verses, the word bless is used. Revere the Lord and praise the Lord are also found in these final sentences. This is a reminder. Follow the lifeless idols and you’ll be just like that. Or, follow the living God and there is hope, joy and salvation.
And, it is that same choice that is before us. Pursue of a life of money and greedy you’ll become. Pursue a life of indulgence and you’ll become that. Pursue a life of selfishness and that’s who you’ll be. Pursue the living God and you’ll become like Him.
You’ll be like them…sure is something to think about.
Roger