“Why should the Gentiles say, ‘So where is their God?” (Psalm 115:2 NKJV)
“Why should the unbelievers mock us, saying, ‘Where is this God of yours?” (Psalm 115:2 TPT)
“Why let the nations say, ‘Where is their God?” (Psalm 115:2)
“Why should the nations say, “Where now, is their God?” (Psalm 115:2 AMP)
“Why should the nations say, ‘Where is their God?” (Psalm 115:2 HCSB)
“Lest the nations say, ‘Where is their God?” (Psalm 115:2 ABIPE)
Daddy, why did David follow verse 1 in which he recognized Your name, and stressed focusing on You, by asking this question? How does this relate to the comparison he is about to make between You and the deaf, dumb, and blind idols of those around him?
As I pondered verse 2, these are the questions that filled my thoughts. As I waited on Daddy’s response, I went back to verse 1 and began thinking of times in which I didn’t live as though God was alive and active in my life. Once again Daddy brought my thoughts to the time in which I was at such a low point that I almost walked away from a wonderful marriage. I came very close to separating myself from my beautiful wife and wonderful children. Even as a child of God, I was so focused on myself, my struggles, shortcomings, and failures, that I was living as though Daddy didn’t exist. I was so down on myself that every time I looked at my wife and kids all I could think was that they deserved better. I couldn’t look into the eyes of my loving wife without feeling like a complete failure (even though all she ever did was build me up).Praise the Lord, He pulled me out of this darkened mindset, rescued my marriage, reinvigorated me, and continues to rejuvenate me. Today He is all that I desire to focus on as He is more alive and active in my life than ever before (He hasn’t changed, I have).
I think Daddy is telling me that David realized that when he lived unto himself, and neglected recognizing the Lord in his daily life, those around him would have reason to question the reality of his God. Especially, as we will see in the following verses, because they worshiped material images of the gods that they had created. They had tangible reminders of their gods that they could look at, and touch, while David did not worship hand made idols. He did not have a physical representation of his God, or did he? He was that representation. He was the way by which they could see his God.
Some of the translations start with the word “Lest” which points us back to verse 1. I like the Aramaic Bible in Plain English which renders verses 1 and 2 as, “Not to us LORD JEHOVAH, not to us, but to Your Name give honor, because of your kindness and because of your truth lest the nations say, ‘Where is their God?” This translation confirms what I believe Daddy is telling me. If I live in reliance on myself, and speak and act in a way that lifts up my name rather than His, I give room for those watching me to question His reality.
I think that one of the main reason that “unbelievers” reject modern day Christianity is because we show them a whole lot of religion, and very little living relationship with the One that our religion is all about. As a result, the only real difference that they see between themselves and me are religious rules and rituals. As important as my religious practices are, they fall far short of a living relationship with the Creator of everything that exists (my Daddy). A phrase that I learned from Josh McDowell back in the ’80’s may fit here, “Rules without relationship brings rebellion.” If I want to help those I care about live in the fulness of my Daddy’s love for them then I need to live loud for Him, not about how good I am at living a “Christian life.”
Enough said. Let’s ponder…
…Eric’s Life Lesson # 271 Life’s True Hero (Psalm 115) – Part 3 – Verse 2