The God We Worship

Psalm 135:1-21

“Praise ye the LORD. Praise ye the name of the LORD; praise him, O ye servants of the LORD.  Ye that stand in the house of the LORD, in the courts of the house of our God, Praise the LORD; for the LORD is good: sing praises unto his name; for it is pleasant.  For the LORD hath chosen Jacob unto himself, and Israel for his peculiar treasure.  For I know that the LORD is great, and that our Lord is above all gods.” (Psalm 135:1-5)

We ought to praise God by name so that there is no question who we are praising or of our respect for him.  To refuse to say his name in an attempt to make ourselves look more respectful is hypocritical.   People who serve him and have received his blessings ought to be glad to thank him for what he has done for them and want others to know who did it.  Among other things he has chosen them to be his special people and be treated as his children.  Knowing his power and authority ought to make us even more appreciative.

“Whatsoever the LORD pleased, that did he in heaven, and in earth, in the seas, and all deep places.  He causeth the vapours to ascend from the ends of the earth; he maketh lightnings for the rain; he bringeth the wind out of his treasuries.  Who smote the firstborn of Egypt, both of man and beast.  Who sent tokens and wonders into the midst of thee, O Egypt, upon Pharaoh, and upon all his servants.  Who smote great nations, and slew mighty kings; Sihon king of the Amorites, and Og king of Bashan, and all the kingdoms of Canaan: And gave their land for an heritage, an heritage unto Israel his people.” (Psalm 135:6-12)

God created the entire universe, not just the things here on earth.  He designed everything to follow certain natural principles, so that the water in the ocean vaporizes and rises into the atmosphere where it condenses and falls as rain to water the earth.  He causes friction between air molecules to produce lightning and thermal expansion to produce wind.    The same God caused the death angel to kill the male babies in in Egypt to die, as well as the other plagues.  He gave Israel victory over the various tribes that had originally owned Canaan giving the land to them.   

“Thy name, O LORD, endureth for ever; and thy memorial, O LORD, throughout all generations.  For the LORD will judge his people, and he will repent himself concerning his servants.” (Psalm 135:13-14)

Our God is the eternal God, and he will remain forever.  His rules and principles will last for eternity, and will judge the people of the world by his laws.  He will care for his people throughout eternity. 

“The idols of the heathen are silver and gold, the work of men's hands.   They have mouths, but they speak not; eyes have they, but they see not;  They have ears, but they hear not; neither is there any breath in their mouths.  They that make them are like unto them: so is every one that trusteth in them.” (Psalm 135:15-18)

The gods other people worship are just statues or figures made with human hands and tools from materials such as silver or gold that God made.  Though they have eyes and ears and mouths, they have no life or ability to act on their own.    The idols resemble the people who made them, but have even less power, and are not able to give those who worship them any more power than the person who made them. 

“Bless the LORD, O house of Israel: bless the LORD, O house of Aaron: Bless the LORD, O house of Levi: ye that fear the LORD, bless the LORD.  Blessed be the LORD out of Zion, which dwelleth at Jerusalem. Praise ye the LORD.” (Psalm 135:19-21)

God’s people should bless or thank the Lord for what he has done for the church as a whole.   They should also appreciate and thank him for what he has done for them individually and for their families.    Everything they have comes from him.