Shopping for a God

Psalm 16

Having been bombarded with advertisements since birth, I am reminded regularly of products I really need in order to up my productivity, books I should read in order to keep up with current Twitter conversations, foods I should eat for health, strategies for insuring my retirement funds are adequate and so on. One estimate is that the average American (whoever that may be) sees around 4,000 ads daily (https://www.redcrowmarketing.com/2015/09/10/many-ads-see-one-day/, accessed on 7/29/19).

Eugene Peterson’s translation The Message has Psalm 16:4 like this: “Don’t just go shopping for a god. Gods are not for sale. I swear I’ll never treat god-names like brand-names.” (Psalm 16:4, The Message).

When I am shopping for productivity tools, foods, books, and other products, I choose the ones that meet my needs most effectively and efficiently. Many people – in the PSalmst’s day and our own – shop for gods like they shop for clothing. Does it fit? Does it flatter me? Does it communicate that I am stylish?

The psalmist affirms his commitment to the God who has revealed Himself in the day to day dealings with His people. The psalmist acknowledges that he is not alone, that there are others who are choosing to stand fast in their choice of obeying the God if their ancestors, the God who has spoken to them and through them.

Daily I am dazed with the advertisements for products I never even knew I needed. But one choice I never need  make again is expressed by the psalmist: “Day and night I’ll stick with God; I’ve got a good thing going and I’m not letting go.” (Psalm 16:8, The Message).