Psalm 115:1 — “Not to us, LORD, not to us, but to your name give glory because of your faithful love, because of your truth.”

God gets all glory in salvation, and with our lives. He’s glorified by how we live selflessly to serve others. He’s glorified by us giving up our liberties, so others can be saved. 1 Corinthians 9:22, “To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all, that I might by all means save some.” He puts advancing the gospel inside of us.

Secondly, God does as he pleases. Psalm 115:3 — “Our God is in heaven and does whatever he pleases.” He is controlled by no one, and has mercy on whom he will. He is in charge of all things, and he’s why we’re saved. No other power intervened to show us mercy. We didn’t do it ourselves.

Everyone who trusts in an idol is a fool. Vs4-8, “Their idols are silver and gold, the work of men’ hands… 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.” There is nothing to them - no life and no power. They have no ability to deliver. It is walking on air, or flapping your arms when jumping off a building. It is trusting what doesn’t work, like a lucky rabbit’s foot; it is superstition and vanity.

We must have the TRUTH OF THE GOSPEL: without it, we perish! I spoke to someone recently who assured me that love is enough. Love without truth, however, is a delusion.

Thirdly, the Lord is our help and shield. He is our defense. Psalm 115:11 — “You who fear the LORD, trust in the LORD! He is their help and shield.” He saves from sin, and from the grave. He delivers us from evil [Matt 6:13]. By him, Satan is overcome, and his wiles are defeated. The Lord brings us back to obedience.

It doesn’t matter who you are: either small or great. The Lord delivers everyone who trusts him. Psalm 115:13 — “he will bless those who fear the LORD  — small and great alike.” We don’t need a fancy zip code. The Lord is our Lord, and he’s our Friend. We don’t need an education or rich friends. The Lord will see to our needs, just as he gave up his own Son to deliver us from sin. In love, he made the greatest sacrifice, and he’ll be with everyone who trusts Christ. He loved us enough to deliver up the Son, our Redeemer. Romans 8:32, “He who did ot spare his own Son, but delivered him up for us all [all the predestined], how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?”

Fourthly, he gave us the earth to serve him, and to enjoy him. Psalm 115:16 — “The heavens are the LORD’s, but the earth he has given to the human race.” He gives us good things, so we worship him in thankfulness and generosity. 1 Timothy 6:18, “Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share.” He makes us useful, and leaves us on earth, like lights, to guide people to Christ. This is the goodness of God - providing for our needs, so we can be useful…giving us joy and gladness, so we can testify of Christ…delivering us from sin, so we can preach his deliverance. The earth is the Lord’s, and we’re right to enjoy it in harmony with Christ’s mission to save others. 1 Corinthians 10:31-33 — “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God. Give no offense to Jews or Greeks or the church of God, just as I also try to please everyone in everything, not seeking my own benefit, but the benefit of many, so that they may be saved.”

Look to the Lord to provide. He knows he must sustain you, and provide everything. He knows his mission requires his help.