relationships (Psalm 115:1-18) Who Deserves the Glory?

(Psalm 115:1-18) 

1   Not to us, Lord, not to us,
     But to Your name give glory,
     Because of Your mercy, because of Your truth.
2   Why should the nations say,
     “Where, then, is their God?”
3   But our God is in the heavens;
     He does whatever He pleases.
4   Their idols are silver and gold,
     The work of human hands.
5   They have mouths, but they cannot speak;
     They have eyes, but they cannot see;
6   They have ears, but they cannot hear;
     They have noses, but they cannot smell;
7   They have hands, but they cannot feel;
     They have feet, but they cannot walk;
     They cannot make a sound with their throat.
8   Those who make them will become like them,
     Everyone who trusts in them.

9   Israel, trust in the Lord;
     He is their help and their shield.
10 House of Aaron, trust in the Lord;
     He is their help and their shield.
11 You who fear the Lord, trust in the Lord;
     He is their help and their shield.
12 The Lord has been mindful of us; He will bless us.
     He will bless the house of Israel;
     He will bless the house of Aaron.
13 He will bless those who fear the Lord,
     The small together with the great.
14 May the Lord increase you,
     You and your children.
15 May you be blessed of the Lord,
     Maker of heaven and earth.

16 The heavens are the heavens of the Lord,
     But the earth He has given to the sons of mankind.
17 The dead do not praise the Lord,
     Nor do any who go down into silence;
18 But as for us, we will bless the Lord 
     From this time and forever.
     Praise the Lord!

TODAY'S THOUGHTS AND MEDITATION:

Many people prefer to make or choose gods created in their own image.  People have even created their own versions of Christianity, redefining Jesus in their own image, in order to please themselves.  Except for true Christianity according to God's word, all other religions require people to work their way to heaven (or their version of heaven, be it utopia, nirvana, some higher status, another form, a certain level of enlightenment, etc.).  

Doing this then glorifies the person and their efforts and good works, especially since their gods and/or idols have done absolutely nothing for them.  Yet, mankind is continually focused on searching for a greater companionship and someone or something to worship, even if it means that they are worshipping themselves.  And still, if they really searched their hearts, they'll find discontentment and emptiness.

This is because God created all of us with a soul, which only can be filled by Him, so that we can have a close, personal relationship with Him.  The Lord saves those who fear (awesomely respect), love and have faith in Him, and then fills us, changes us from the inside out, protects us, moves us, helps us and blesses us.  This should only make us desire to fear (awesomely respect), trust, praise and worship Him all the more.

If we just glorify ourselves, or if God were to glorify us, this takes the focus off of God.  This means that we are not seeing the bigger picture of who God really is, and what He has all done, is doing, and will do for us!  And if we are not giving God the glory, other people will be wondering where our God is, or wondering if He does anything for us at all.

God created us, as well as the heavens and the earth, so why would we want to worship someone or something that was created by God, or created by mankind, instead of worshiping the Creator, Himself?  The Lord is most worthy of glory, but our own glory is really worth nothing.  The only glory that is worthy enough is from the Lord Himself.  Anything that we do of worth is because of Him, so let us fear and worship Him, and give Him praise and the glory, for the Lord alone is worthy!