Psalm 96:4-6 Why Do We Sing?

For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised;

He is to be feared above all gods.

For all the gods of the peoples are worthless idols,

But the LORD made the heavens.

Splendor and majesty are before him;

Strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.

I’ve always struggled with the idea of idols and no matter how many sermons I hear, I can’t wrap my head around it. I’m not a Buddhist nor have I ever been tempted to put my trust in good luck charms. I’m sure it is connected to the way I was raised which would be different in another culture.

However, I do know I’m tempted to put my trust, and sometimes my praise, on things other than God. When I have a financial need, I figure out how to access some money. If I don’t have money, I use my energy or intelligence to earn some money. If I have a health issue, I look to medicine. If I have an emotional issue, I look to family and friends or a counselor.

Heathens bow down to a stone idol that represents prosperity or family or health. I don’t have a stone representation of the things I put my trust in other than God, but that doesn’t mean I don’t.

Sometimes God feels far away, and I want a power source closer to me, or to use my own power. So…I turn to idols.

It’s been a miracle how long I have lived with incurable cancer. A few years back, the average time one lived after a BMT (bone marrow/stem cell transplant) without a relapse was 3.5 years; mine was over 7 years. Average life span was 7.5 years; I’m 12 and counting.

I take nutritional supplements, graciously given to me by a friend. At one point, she wanted me to come on her radio program and talk about the supplements and how they have extended my life. I prayed about it, but didn’t have peace. It felt like, to give the supplements credit for the extension of my life, would be discounting God’s grace. I couldn’t do it.

It’s so easy to look to what we see or who we see and give them credit for God’s grace. They have been the instrument from whom God’s grace was extended, but He is the giver of grace.

To him goes all glory and praise.

How has God extended grace in your life that you have been tempted to credit to others? I’d love to hear from you in the comments.

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