“Whatever He Pleases”

“Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us, but to Your name give glory, because of Your mercy, because of Your truth. Why should the Gentiles say, 'So where is their God?' But our God is in heaven; He does whatever He pleases” (vs1-3).

Trust the Almighty and not the work of your hands (idols).

First, whatever He feels like doing, and at all times, God does (vs3)! “But our God is in heaven; He does whatever He pleases”. He is not a phony imposter with no power, the god of men, someone man made up, utterly powerless like man himself, but He is the Savior of whom He wills, He controls who perishes, and He uses the devil as He sees fit, doing righteousness always, performing His word, fulfilling His will. He says, “For I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me, declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things that are not yet done, Saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, And I will do all My pleasure' (Is 46:10). He is the God with whom we will give an account, the Almighty, the King, the One WORTHY of our trust and hope, the Treasure!

Secondly, everyone trusting idols is foolish and lost, unable to save themselves, helpless, and without spiritual insight or life. They are dumb and stupid, dead in their sins, and unable to see the glory of God, just like the idols that they worship (vs4-8). “Their idols are silver and gold, the work of men’s hands. They have mouths, but they do not speak; eyes they have, but they do not see; they have ears, but they do not hear; noses they have, but they do not smell; they have hands, but they do not handle; feet they have, but they do not walk; nor do they mutter through their throat. Those who make them are like them; so is everyone who trusts in them”.

At many Asian restaurants, you'll find pictures and statutes of Buddha. At other places, perhaps a Catholic church, you'll see images of “Jesus”, Mary, and others that they pray to. But, God is invisible, holy, lofty, and spiritual. He is enthroned. There is no worshiping Him by idolatry, by making something with our hands, something that we give eyes too, something that we must protect and carry around, and then calling this impotent thing God (Is 46:1-7)! No, your God is not in need of your help, and any god that needs your assistance is an idol, a false god, something below Jesus Christ, not worthy to be worshiped. Don't worship the god of free will religion, the god that can't save without your permission and will power, but worship the Lord who gives FAITH, and life, and willingness. Worship Him who provides everything. Don't trust in any building you've built or symbol that you have made. You may have a cross around your neck or in your church building, but never think of it as actually being spiritual; it is nothing but gold, silver, wood, and stone. Worship the Invisible God who'll reward you.

Thirdly, trusting the Lord saves you (vs9-11). “O Israel, trust in the Lord; He is their help and their shield. O house of Aaron, trust in the Lord; He is their help and their shield. You who fear the Lord, trust in the Lord; He is their help and their shield”. The Lord is good and gracious to ALL who call upon Him, so let Israel, God's people who have power with Him, let the house of Aaron, the preachers of the gospel, those ministering saints, and let you who fear the Lord, scared to sin, put your trust in Him to hear you, receive you, and keep you. He is the ever present help in time of need. Put your trust in Him for righteousness – justification by faith. Hope in Him for holiness, the reward of the righteous by faith is the Holy Spirit. Trust Him, instead of a helpless god, to actually make you obedient, to bring the fruit of the Spirit, and to practice what He preaches. Trust Him when you can't trust yourself, but trust Him for the promises! This is why idolatry is meaningless; God actually saves, is real, and helps ALL who believe. “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. He will bless those who fear the Lord, both small and great” (vs12-13).

Praise the Lord for His grace to you by believing upon Him, and counting His promises as real and worth your trust. Trust in the Invisible rewarding God. “May the LORD give you increase more and more, you and your children. May you be blessed by the LORD, Who made heaven and earth. The heaven, even the heavens, are the LORD’S; but the earth He has given to the children of men. The dead do not praise the LORD, nor any who go down into silence. But we will bless the LORD from this time forth and forevermore. Praise the LORD!” (vs14-18)