How does Psalm 135:17 highlight the futility of idol worship today? Listening to Psalm 135:17 “They have ears, but cannot hear; nor is there breath in their mouths.” Four Truths about Idols in Psalm 135:17 • Ears that never work – idols lack awareness. • Mouths without breath – idols lack life. • No ability to respond – idols remain inert no matter how desperate the worshiper. • Empty promises – idols guarantee nothing because they possess nothing. Psalm 115:4-8 echoes the same verdict: “Those who make them will be like them, as will all who trust in them.” The Same Old Lie in Fresh Packaging Today’s idols rarely sit on a mantelpiece. They appear as: – Wealth pursued as ultimate security (Matthew 6:24). – Sexual freedom elevated above God’s design (Ephesians 5:5). – Status, followers, or personal “brand” worshiped for identity (Jeremiah 9:23). – Technological optimism trusted to solve every problem (Isaiah 31:1). Each carries the same fatal flaw: ears that cannot hear your heart and mouths that cannot breathe life into you. The Living God in Contrast • He hears: “The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their cry.” (Psalm 34:15) • He speaks: “Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.” (Matthew 4:4) • He breathes life: “He breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.” (Genesis 2:7) • He acts: “Our God is in the heavens; He does all that pleases Him.” (Psalm 115:3) Choosing Practical Worship Today – Evaluate anything that silently dictates your choices. – Replace passive screens with active Scripture intake (2 Timothy 3:16-17). – Give God the first word in decision-making and the last word in accountability (Proverbs 3:5-6). – Invest resources where Christ’s kingdom advances, not where idols consume (Matthew 6:19-21). – Surround yourself with believers who point you to the living Lord, not to lifeless substitutes (Hebrews 10:24-25). Takeaway Truths to Remember • Idols are deaf, mute, and breathless; the Lord hears, speaks, and gives life. • Whatever cannot hear you cannot help you. • Worship that targets anything less than the living God always ends in futility. |
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