Is There Really Only One God?

This God—his way is perfect; the word of the Lord proves true; he is a shield for all those who take refuge in him. – Psalm 18:30 (ESV)

On a radio program, the hosts spoke with a “crisis management” expert about how a celebrity can recover from a public relations disaster. This specialist said one of the keys was to build strong allies who can help the star rehabilitate his or her image. In other words, it is vital when in trouble to get the right help.

That is wise counsel, for at the heart of all crisis management is recognizing that we can’t accomplish everything on our own. Some challenges are too big. Some mountains are too high. In our own seasons of crisis, it is critical that we have help. That’s why it’s comforting to know that we have the strongest ally possible. (Our Daily Bread, Bill Crowder)

Pastor Jim reminded us that the only true God can help us through the crises of life. King David uses Psalm 18 to describe the ways God had helped him during difficult days. In Psalm 18:30, he writes, “This God.” David believed the God of the Bible was the only true God and the only One who could have delivered him the way He did.

Reflection

How have you experienced help from God that could only be explained as Him being the one true God?

Praise/Prayer

Praise God as the one true God of the universe. Thank God for the ways He has helped you that could only be described as Him. Ask God for help with any crises you are facing.

It’s an Explicit Statement

 This God—his way is perfect; the word of the Lord proves true; he is a shield for all those who take refuge in him. – Psalm 18:30 (ESV)

A man once came up to C. H. Spurgeon, the great English preacher, at a Christian retreat, and said that he had reached a state of spiritual perfection. Without a word, Spurgeon picked up a pitcher of ice-cold water and poured it on the man’s head. When the man became angry and reacted like any normal person would if cold water were poured on his head, Spurgeon said, “Well, now I know exactly what spiritual perfection you’ve come to!”

In Psalm 18, David makes an explicit statement and declares, “His way is perfect.” David believed that only God was perfect. David believed God’s methods were perfect and God’s government was perfect. There is nothing missing and nothing defective in what God does. David also believed that God’s Word was perfect. Everything God had promised had come to pass. There had been days when he walked in his own will. There had been times when he made bad decisions and wandered from the paths of the Lord. But as David considered the ways of God, he had to declare that God’s way was perfect.

Reflection

When have you seen the difference between God’s way and the way of the gods of this world? When you have seen the difference between your way and God’s way?

Praise/Prayer

Praise God for His pure perfection. Thank God for always keeping His Word. Ask God to lead your paths in His perfect way.

It’s An Exclusive Statement

For who is God, but the Lord? And who is a rock, except our God? – Psalm 18:31 (ESV)

A scientist told God, “We no longer need you. We have advanced to the point that we can create anything we need with our own ingenuity.” God said, “You want to put that to a test?” The scientist said, “Sure. What do you have in mind?” God said, “Let’s each make a man, just like I did with Adam. I’ll go first.” Then God created man from the dirt. The scientist leaned down to pick up a handful of dirt, so he could replicate the work of God. “Wait a minute!” said God. “Go get your own dirt!”

Only God can make something out of nothing. David makes an exclusive statement when he asks “Who is God, but the Lord?” in Psalm 18:31. David here celebrated the reality of the God of Israel against the gods of other nations. The Philistines, the Moabites, the Edomites, and all the rest had their gods; but only Yahweh (the LORD) is God. David had seen the idol worship of the nations that surrounded Israel. He had seen them pray and sacrifice to idols of man’s imagination of wood and stone. Never once had David seen those idols rise up and meet the needs of those who worshipped them. David knew there was only one God and He was the Lord.

Reflection

We too live in a day where many worship false gods. Their lives are consumed by their affection for the things they enjoy. What are some of the false gods people are serving today? What do you think makes God unique above them all?

Praise/Prayer

Praise God for His uniqueness in all of Creation. Thank God for making you. Ask God to help you sense Him as your immovable Rock today.

It is An Expansive Statement.

For this I will praise you, O Lord, among the nations, and sing to your name. – Psalm 18:49 (ESV)

In 1977 Barry Manilow sang, “I’ve been alive forever, And I wrote the very first song, I put the words and the melodies together, I am music and I write the songs. I write the songs that make the whole world sing. I write the songs of love and special things. I write the songs that make the young girls cry. I write the songs, I write the songs.” Ironically, he didn’t write that song…Bruce Johnston did. Bruce Johnson was a member of the Beach Boys filling in for Brian Wilson. Johnston stated that, for him, the “I” in the song is God, and that songs come from the spirit of creativity in all of us. (Source Unknown)

In Psalm 18 David saw a day when the entire world would hear the songs of God’s praise. David writes, “I will praise you, O Lord, among the nations, and sing to your name.” The meaning here is, that he would sing a song that would be used not only in his own age and in his own country, but also among other nations, and at other times. Romans 14:11 teaches that “one day every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus is Lord.”

Reflection

What is your favorite praise song? What does that song teach about the character of God?

Praise/Prayer

Praise God for the things in your favorite song that you most admire about Him. Ask God to give you an opportunity to share your praise with someone today.

It is An Exciting Statement

This God—his way is perfect; the word of the Lord proves true; he is a shield for all those who take refuge in him. – Psalm 18:30 (ESV)

There was excitement all through the orphanage, for a lady had come to take little Jane home with her. The girl was sort of nervous about the thought of becoming the kind lady’s child. “Do you want to go with me and be my child?” the lady asked her in a gentle tone. The little girl said, “I don’t know.” Then the kind lady said, “But I’m going to give you beautiful clothes and a lot of things, a room of your own with a beautiful bed and table and chairs.” After a moment’s silence, the little girl said anxiously: “But what am I to do for all this?” The lady burst into tears and said, “Only to love me, and be my child.” (William Brown)

In Psalm 18:30, David is excited that God is a shield for everyone who will accept the invitation to be one of His children. This isn’t reserved for kings and princes. It isn’t reserved for mighty men of valor. It is given to all who trust in Him. Each of us here can enjoy the mighty hand of God. God is our shield, our protector, our defense, and our hiding place.

Reflection

The word “shield” was also used to describe the scaly hide of the crocodile. That hide protects the crocodile from attack. When has God protected you from an attack?

Praise/Prayer

Thank God for adopting you into His family and His promise to protect you. Talk to God about any attacks you sense on you, your family, or our church. Ask God to give you confidence in His shield of protection.