We become like who or what we trust in. Ps. 115:8 tells us:

“Those who make them become like them; so do all who trust in them.”

The “them” here refers to idols, which the Psalmist has proven in preceding verses are powerless, useless, and senseless.

For example, a person who trusts in money will become known as “the rich man/woman”. He/she thinks, dreams, schemes, makes, and appears “money”. People then come to them for… money. “I’ve got a rich uncle who lives in L.A.” Since they exude wealth, it becomes their identity and what they have to offer. But, sadly, as a result, people don’t come to them for love, friendship, or a desire to help. Even if they appear to, it’s still with mixed motives and money in mind.

Likewise, a person who trusts in popularity will become known as the “social center”. They think, dream, scheme, create, and show off their popularity. Others then come to them for social connection, fun times, and to be “where the action’s at”. But deep down, they don’t have deep relationships because people just see them as a source of networking, parties, etc.

The same applies to whatever we trust in. All we get is that, and nothing else. And those things (or people) will always let us down. Money can’t buy real love. Popularity can’t give us the true relationships we need— “friends” leave when we get down. And these things (or people) can be lost.

This happened to my aunt. She had once been a very wealthy woman. Her husband had passed away, leaving her a large fortune. But living in a home without love literally drove her daughter crazy and her son to greed. By the end of her life, she and her son had been estranged for over 40 years. She wanted to reconcile, but all he wanted was her money and cheated her out of most of it. Her daughter, meanwhile, passed away some years earlier from cancer and a broken heart.

Growing up, we thought of her as “Aunt M.—the lonely old lady with strong opinions and a lot of money.” (the “old” came from being 55 years old when I was born). She was nice to me, but also a bit distant and cold. Not the relative we went to for hugs, kisses, warmth, or play.

Consider this as well: Whenever we “worship”, strive after, and become like something or someone other than God, we either end up driving others away who don’t like that, and/or competing and even fighting with others over it. This includes wealth, popularity, honor, position, etc. Those that are turned off by seeking those things will avoid us. Those that want them will fight and compete with us to get it!

“What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.” Jas. 4:1-3

Then, taken to the extreme, idolizing anything but the Lord becomes addiction—we become slaves to it. It masters us—heart, body, mind, and soul. We literally lose our freedom to choose whether to seek and “bow down” to it or not.

“Don’t you realize that you become the slave of whatever you choose to obey?…” Rom. 6:16a

But here’s the good news— when we trust in the Lord, He never lets us down, can never be lost, and we always win when we become like Him in character. How do we know we’ll be like Him in character when we trust him? By logical deduction—if, as we saw in Ps. 115:8, we become like whatever/whoever we trust in, that includes the Lord.

That’s why the following verse immediately tells us to trust in Him:

“O Israel, trust in the Lord!” Ps. 115:9

Also, when we seek and submit to the Lord, instead of enslaving us like idols do, He frees us—giving us the ability to choose right over wrong!

“You can be a slave to sin, which leads to death, or you can choose to obey God, which leads to righteous living. Thank God! Once you were slaves of sin, but now you wholeheartedly obey this teaching we have given you. Now you are free from your slavery to sin,..” Rom. 6:16b-18a

Then the Psalm continues by encouraging various families and the whole nation of Israel to trust Him, and why (v.9-12). “He is their [those who trust Him] help and their shield”—repeated three times so we get the point. Trust Him, knowing He’ll always protect, provide, guide, and help us with everything we need:

“He will bless those who fear the Lord, both the small and the great.” Ps.115:13

And here’s the best part—It doesn’t matter how great, significant, or “big” we are! Wealth, fame, etc. don’t count. All of us can trust and revere the Lord and receive the same blessing.

It’s a formula that works: Trust + reverence for God à thinking and acting like Him à blessing. Blessing in the sense of feeling blessed and joyful, regardless of how much or little we have. Blessing also in being at peace and in good relationship with Him, others, and ourselves.

Who/what are we seeking after and so becoming (like) today?