Those who run after other gods will suffer more and more.
I will not pour out libations of blood to such gods
or take up their names on my lips. —Psalm 16:4 NIV, a psalm of David

“Look!” said my father on a walk in the woods one day. I glanced around the general area where he was pointing and saw … lots of trees? Since we were in the woods, that did not seem all that unique to me and hardly worthy of his excitement. He noticed my blank stare and leaned closer, guiding my eyes with his arm until I saw them. A mama deer and a fawn grazing in a little patch of sunlight in the woods. Oh. Wow. I’m so glad my father has often made me “look deeper” on walks with him. Otherwise, in my cluelessness, I’d have missed so much beauty.

Do you ever come to a verse in the Bible that seems irrelevant for your life today? Just another “tree,” as it were, in a forest of nice God-words? On first reading, Psalm 16:4, our verse above, it seemed to have no relevance for me in particular. It was a verse with a warning that didn’t appear to apply to me. However, Psalm 16 is the psalm I’m studying for this year in my quiet time, so my heavenly Father called me to “look deeper” into this verse, and I am the richer for the deep dive. Come with me and explore! Reading the Bible is a treasure trove. The more you search, the more you see. I love that about God’s Word! It never stops teaching us, no matter how many times we read it.

The Warning: Those who run after other gods will suffer more and more. At first, I excused myself from the warning because I don’t worship many gods. Just God. It seemed rather silly to linger here. After all, I had been taught since infancy that there are not many gods. Just One Wonderful God who loves me enough to take on flesh as Jesus, die for me, and leave His Spirit to dwell within me.

But then the still, small whisper came. What “other gods” tempt you, Sharon, when troubles come, and you want help? Uh-oh. Well. (Sharon clears her throat and slightly blushes.) I do tend to go to worry and anxiety—and thinking that if I ponder the troubles long enough, I can figure out a way to fix them. So, perhaps worry and endless spinning and thinking about something I can’t fix can become my “go-to” instead of You, Lord? [Sigh] Okay. You’re right. And so is Your warning. I suffer more and more when I focus on the problem rather than on the Savior. It’s true! And also, this verse is definitely meant for me, not just for others. I am sorry, Lord, for my arrogance!

What “other gods” tempt you when trouble comes? It could be financial security that you run to, amassing more and more money against a possible need. It could be endless talking it over with people instead of with the Lord. It could be escaping to the world of scrolling and watching little videos so that you don’t have to deal with the problem. Anything that pulls us away from the only source of comfort can be an “other god” in our lives.

The Commitment: I will not pour out libations of blood to such gods or take up their names on my lips. Huh? “Pouring out libations” was a common practice in that time, an act of pouring out a liquid in hopes of gaining favor with a god. David is saying he will not honor other “gods” in that way or even speak their names. I began to wonder. Am I “honoring gods” of anxiety and worry? Am I “pouring out libations” by focusing my brain on the problems? Am I “honoring” the anxiety and worry by letting them take over my thinking?

Over and over in my battles with worry—especially when I feel there’s too much to do and I just can’t get it all done—I have to choose where my brain goes. I need to put only One Name on my lips, crying out to the one true God. He’s the God, by the way, who literally saved over a million people! When the Israelites were being chased by a powerful army from behind and staring at a huge body of water in front of them, God parted that sea and rescued them. “Moses answered the people, ‘Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still’”  (Exodus 14:13-14 NIV).

I need Moses’ wise words on my lips! I do not need to fight or worry. I need to stand still and give my problems, my enemies, and my sins to the one true God. He will fight for me in His love! I’m glad I took the time to look closer and didn’t miss the fawn in the forest or God’s lessons in this verse!

Father, help me bring my busyness to You, who part seas and smite enemies. When I chase after other gods, my troubles only increase. You are able to help me. You love me. You actually want to help me. Oh, Lord, fight for me in this, and I will be still. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

You are loved,
Sharon

Sweet Selah Ministries

Vision
To inspire a movement away from the belief that “busy is better”
and toward the truth of God’s Word that stillness and knowing
Him matter most—and will be reflected in more effective work and service

Mission
To offer biblical resources and retreats that help women pause (Selah)
and love God more deeply as they know Him more intimately (Sweet)

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