What Do I Trust?

Save us, O LORD our God! Gather us back from among the nations, so we can thank your holy name and rejoice and praise you. [Psalm 106.47]

In this verse in the Psalms, there is no mistake about what salvation looks like: being gathered "back from among the nations."

In checking other translations on the phrase ''back from among the nations," it becomes obvious that the NLT can be grouped with many other reliable translations with almost (if not) the exact same wording. Those that use a different word than "the nations" use the words "Gentiles" or "heathen,"

The point is clear that salvation consists of the return of people to God from nations, people groups, or classifications that do not fear and serve God. In fact, in the OYCB reading today, the summarized history of Israel is revealed in Israel's propensity to betray God and follow idols - the gods of other nations, people groups, or classifications.

Our being "saved" by God then involves us abandoning "the nations" in order to serve God alone. It could not be clearer that God's way is not to be diluted with ideas, customs, or practices that are not specifically from Him.

Let us be very clear on this point: God's requirement upon those who would be His followers is simply this: faith in Him alone. Dependence upon any other nation whose god is not the LORD (Yahweh), is seen by God as idolatry in whatever varying degrees of dilution that idolatry is found. In other words, it matters not that God is retained if even the slightest amount of faith is adulterously given to any other god, entity, or idea.

The application of this gathering "back from among the nations" is one of dedication, purpose and resolve to that end. Especially in today's world culture that embraces ideologies from all across the globe. People have become largely "polytheistic" in their trust of many things besides God.

But God will have nothing of it. His demand upon His followers is clear:

You must not have any other god but me. [Exodus 20.3]

So, for us to effectively be gathered back from among the nations, we must first recognize our interests in other nations. In other words, for us to be singular in our faith and trust in God alone, we must first recognize the plethora of idols that we have placed our trust in.

What do we trust?

Father, I realize that each of us must honestly ask ourself the question, "What do I trust?" Help me to ask myself this question at the onset of every move I make - every thing I do. Help me to allow myself to be gathered back to unadulterated and singular faith in You alone in everything!