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How Worship Shapes You
Psalm 111-112
One of the defining beliefs of modern western culture is that the truest thing about you is your inner desire. This is why we see the rise of “your truth” and “my truth.” It is why we see the rise in all kinds of self-identities. People are looking at their inner desires and defining themselves by them. Have you noticed that?
Theologian Carl R. Trueman, author of The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self, concludes that modern society believes the “real you” is your inner feelings and desires, and that fulfillment must therefore come through expressing them outwardly.
This is perhaps easiest to see with regard to sexuality as many who identify as “gay” are convinced they have no choice in the matter. Because it is their desire, it must be their identity. But you can do it with other things too. Infatuation, addiction, outrage can all become shapers of your identity around a relationship, an activity, a political party.
The psalmist presents us with an entirely different vision of humanity, showing us that the deepest truth about you is not found by looking inward to your desires but upward to your Creator.
Psalm 111 reveals the character of God. Psalm 112 reveals the character of the man shaped by fearing (or worshiping) that God. And Psalm 111:10 stands as the hinge: “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom.”
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By Psalm 111-112
One of the defining beliefs of modern western culture is that the truest thing about you is your inner desire. This is why we see the rise of “your truth” and “my truth.” It is why we see the rise in all kinds of self-identities. People are looking at their inner desires and defining themselves by them. Have you noticed that?
Theologian Carl R. Trueman, author of The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self, concludes that modern society believes the “real you” is your inner feelings and desires, and that fulfillment must therefore come through expressing them outwardly.
This is perhaps easiest to see with regard to sexuality as many who identify as “gay” are convinced they have no choice in the matter. Because it is their desire, it must be their identity. But you can do it with other things too. Infatuation, addiction, outrage can all become shapers of your identity around a relationship, an activity, a political party.
The psalmist presents us with an entirely different vision of humanity, showing us that the deepest truth about you is not found by looking inward to your desires but upward to your Creator.
Psalm 111 reveals the character of God. Psalm 112 reveals the character of the man shaped by fearing (or worshiping) that God. And Psalm 111:10 stands as the hinge: “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom.”