Those who make idols will be like them.
Psalm 135:18
PRAISE HIM
As for idols, they are impotent. Not
one can see or speak or feel
a neighbor’s ache – her dog dead
and child missing below the levee. I read
the headlines and feel more
than all the idols that ever were.
Even the idol that is our idea
of God is impotent – B is not A -
yet God does what he pleases,
the earth what is true to its nature.
We build cities and pay scant attention
to either, then cry foul when the dam breaks.
Idols cannot save, nor theologies.
Only God, and that is no great comfort.
*From Opening King David (Wipf & Stock, 2011; Antrim House, 2005-08). First published in The Other Journal.
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4 comments
Joey says:
Jun 16, 2011
What does he mean by the last line, “and that is no great comfort”?
David Gaston says:
Jun 16, 2011
Hey Joey – I have the same question. Here is my take on it, for what it’s worth. I read “and that is no great comfort” in context of the line “even the idol that is our idea of God is impotent”. I want God to be active in this world, but I want Him to be active in the way that I want Him to be active. Meaning, I want Him to work on my terms, which include quite a bit of success for me (I deserve that success, right?). But … you know as well as I do that He just doesn’t work like that. So, when the levees of life break, or when I find a dead man on a tree instead of a gold star for my religious piety, my initial reaction is not one of being comforted. But He is active in His own way, and His ways are a bit better than mine (Is.55:9). Your thoughts?
DZ says:
Jun 16, 2011
I’m pretty sure this was written just after Katrina (thus the reference to the levee). In the midst of that/any tragedy, the temptation was to plaster over the suffering with platitudes, even religious/biblical ones. Which, as we all know, rarely has a comforting effect, regardless of whether or not the statement is true. Instead, it feels like a denial or a way of shutting down the experience of grief.
That’s my take.
I also love the line about theologies not being able to save us. Only God.
Heart says:
Jun 21, 2011
“Idols cannot save, nor theologies.
Only God, and that is no great comfort.”
Love this— it’s just as true as can be.
I wish (although don’t always know I’m wishing so) that idols could save— money, power, great American ingenuity and engineering. I wish that theologies could save (aha! I’ve finally figured it out— it’s the law v grace conundrum– nope nope, it’s the high Christology w low anthropology thingy–nope it’s both–isnt it) then have to admit, it’s only God.
And I have to face the huge disappointment yet again, that I don’t even have a scrap of sovereignty, (not a scrap!) that it’s only God who saves.
Sometimes this thought drives me to my knees in gratitude. In other moods, it just pisses me off… cuz I try so hard, y’know?