Making a Choice

Before we start, let me ask you a question, but I admit that it’s kind of a trick question: How many gods are there?

• Within the Christian faith, at least, if we consider how many beings exist that are omniscient, omnipresent, and omnipotent, there is only one “capital G” God (with three persons).
• Other faiths may recognize multiple deities, or a different single God.  There are also many people who claim to not follow any god, but a closer inspection of their worldviews usually reveals something or someone (even if it’s themselves) that they hold fast to, defend, and allow to influence their decisions.
• As a result, if we consider how many beings, things, and ideas exist that are treated as gods by individual people, though, there are many, many entities being followed as gods.

From the Christian viewpoint (as described in the Bible, including the teachings of Jesus Christ), God – one God – has made Himself known to humankind for millennia, so that it is clear to them that He is the Creator and God of the universe.  Yet despite this, many men and women have turned to other, false gods to worship.  (Even if you don’t share my faith in Jesus Christ, most of us could probably agree that last statement.)

In Psalm 63, we find a superscription on the Psalm that could be important.  This psalm is a psalm of David, when he was in the desert (or wilderness, per NASB).

The NASB cites two passages from 1 Samuel as references for this time in David’s life, when Saul was hunting for David.  In 1 Samuel 22:5, a prophet told David to go to Judah.  In in 1 Samuel 23:14, David evaded Saul (thanks to God’s decision) .  Alternatively, a commentary [Tesh & Zorn, cited below] suggests 2 Samuel 15:23, 28 as the context for this Psalm, when David was fleeing from Absalom.

Regardless of the context (each of which has similarities to the other, and could be consistent with this psalm), let’s read the first verse of that Psalm.

You, God, are my God,
earnestly I seek you;
I thirst for you,
my whole being longs for you,
in a dry and parched land
where there is no water.
Psalms 63:1 NIV

https://psalm.bible/psalm-63-1

Here, the word used for God in both cases is elohim.  This term [per Elohim – Wikipedia] can refer to multiple. “small g” gods in general; or, it can refer to the God of the Hebrews, specifically.  In this verse, it appears that both meanings are used: In the first instance (at least, in this English translation), David is addressing the specific, true God.  Then, David pronounces that God is his (i.e., David’s) God, even if other people serve another god.

Said another way, God is God.  He is exactly who He says He is, and He is unique in this universe (and beyond).  However, each of us can choose whether or not to worship Him as our own God.  In the next article, let’s consider what it means to choose our own god (or God), whether we make that choice intentionally or “by default”.

From Sunday School lesson prepared for November 6, 2022

References:

• The Lookout, November 6, 2022, © 2022 Christian Standard Media.
• Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
• Scripture quotations taken from the NASB. Copyright by The Lockman Foundation.
• The College Press NIV Commentary, Psalms, Volume 1, S. Edward Tesh and Walter D. Zorn, © 1999, College Press Publishing Co., Joplin, MO.