Faith in Focus #37
A reflection from Connection Church and other spiritual events from the week
Faith in Focus is a weekly reflection on what God has been teaching me throughout the week regarding my faith. Whether it’s personal interactions, reading, or the Sunday sermon, God speaks through it all, and I hope this helps you focus on His mission.
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Sermon Reflection
Psalm 115 reminds us that every heart is shaped by its object of worship. As we fix our eyes on Christ instead of the idols that compete for our attention, God transforms us into people who reflect His glory rather than our own.
Based on the sermon by Jonathan Land, Connection Church Sioux Falls, July 19, 2026.
Smashing Idols and Beholding Christ
This week marked the return of our founding pastor, Jonathan Land, from his annual sabbatical as he continued our Summer in the Psalms series through Psalm 115, entitled “To Your Name Give Glory.”
Before opening God’s Word, Jonathan shared an exciting update about our church’s Shuttle or Shovel campaign. Less than a year after launching the initiative, the congregation has already reached approximately 70 percent of its goal, raising $260,000 toward expanding our parking lot. That investment is equivalent to creating roughly 114 additional parking spaces, making room for more people to gather each Sunday to hear the gospel. It’s a beautiful reminder that generosity is never ultimately about buildings or pavement. It’s about removing barriers so more people can encounter Jesus. What an incredible testimony to God’s faithfulness through His people.
The World Behind the Text
Psalm 115 opens with one of the clearest declarations of God’s glory found anywhere in Scripture,
“Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name give glory, for the sake of your steadfast love and your faithfulness.” Psalm 115:1
The repetition immediately grabs our attention. Throughout Scripture, repetition is often used to emphasize importance. Here, the psalmist repeats “not to us” because our hearts naturally drift toward making ourselves the center of the story.
Jonathan illustrated this through something every one of us recognizes. Selfie culture.
Imagine standing before the Grand Canyon, Niagara Falls, or meeting someone you’ve admired for years. A selfie may include something extraordinary in the background, but the primary focus remains the person holding the camera. The lens is ultimately pointed back at ourselves.
That tendency isn’t merely a modern social media problem. It’s a human heart problem. Since Genesis 3, humanity has sought its own glory instead of God’s.
Psalm 115 redirects our attention. Life was never meant to revolve around us. It has always been about the glory of God.
Walking the Passage
The central theme Jonathan highlighted throughout the sermon could be summarized in one simple phrase. You become what you behold.
The psalmist contrasts the living God with the powerless idols crafted by human hands.
“They have mouths, but do not speak; eyes, but do not see... Those who make them become like them; so do all who trust in them.” Psalm 115:5, 8
The irony is almost funny. These idols have eyes but cannot see.
They have ears but cannot hear. They have feet but cannot walk.
They have mouths but cannot speak.
They possess the appearance of life while lacking life itself.
Even more sobering is the warning that those who worship these idols become like them.
Our worship always shapes us.
Jonathan often reminds us that every person worships something. Worship is not optional. The only question is where our worship is directed.
Some worship money. Others worship success. Some worship comfort, relationships, politics, entertainment, careers, or even ministry itself as Jonathan confessed on stage.
Whatever captures our greatest affection ultimately shapes our identity.
If we continually fix our hearts on lifeless things, our spiritual lives slowly become just as lifeless. We lose sensitivity to God’s voice. Our spiritual vision grows dim. Our hearts become increasingly hardened.
But there is another option.
Jesus isn’t an idol fashioned by human hands.
He is alive.
He walked among His people. He spoke truth with authority. He touched the broken. He healed the sick. He welcomed sinners. He willingly endured betrayal, suffering, and death on the cross.
Three days later, He rose from the grave, defeating sin and death forever.
When we behold Christ, we’re transformed into His likeness.
A Fair Counter-Reading
Some readers understand Psalm 115 primarily as a polemic against the physical idols common among Israel’s surrounding nations. While that historical context is certainly present, the principle extends beyond carved statues.
The human heart continually manufactures idols. Anything that receives the trust, affection, or ultimate devotion that belongs to God alone becomes an idol. Scripture consistently broadens this understanding, reminding us that idolatry is ultimately a matter of the heart, not merely the hands, and does not always come in a physical form.
The Turn
Jonathan connected Psalm 115 with one of the most remarkable pictures of Christ found in the Old Testament.
In Numbers 21:7-9, Israel was suffering under God’s judgment as venomous serpents spread throughout the camp. God’s provision was unexpected. Moses was instructed to raise a bronze serpent on a pole, and everyone who looked upon it in faith would live.
The bronze serpent held no power in itself. Healing came through trusting God’s provision.
Centuries later, Jesus drew upon this very account while speaking with Nicodemus.
“And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.” John 3:14-15
Jesus became the greater fulfillment of that bronze serpent.
Just as the Israelites looked in faith and lived, we now look to Christ crucified and risen and receive eternal life.
The object of our gaze changes everything.
When our eyes remain fixed on ourselves, pride grows.
When our eyes remain fixed on the world, anxiety grows.
When our eyes remain fixed on our idols, emptiness grows.
But when our eyes remain fixed on Christ, faith grows.
The invitation of Psalm 115 isn’t merely to identify our idols.
It’s to replace them.
Not simply by trying harder, but by beholding Someone greater.
Carry It Into the Week
One of the most practical questions we can ask ourselves is this, “What am I looking to for ultimate satisfaction?”
The answer often reveals our idols.
Perhaps it’s approval from others.
Perhaps it’s financial security.
Perhaps it’s control or comfort.
Perhaps it’s even our own reputation.
Psalm 115 invites us to lay every one of those false gods down.
They cannot satisfy.
They cannot save.
They cannot give life.
Only Jesus can.
My prayer this week is that God would expose the idols we have quietly allowed to compete for our affection. May He give us the courage to smash them, not because self denial is the goal, but because Christ is infinitely better.
The psalm concludes with a beautiful promise, “The dead do not praise the Lord, nor do any who go down into silence. But we will bless the Lord from this time forth and forevermore. Praise the Lord!” Psalm 115:17-18
Our lives on earth are temporary, but our worship isn’t.
For those who belong to Christ, one day faith will become sight. We will join countless believers around God’s throne, giving Him the glory He alone deserves for all eternity.
Not to us. Not to us.
To His name alone.
Song of the Week: Remind Me You’re Here - Jason Gray
This week’s song is grounded less in storytelling and more in prayer. While Jason Gray has become well known for his ability to tell deeply personal stories, something listeners of his SiriusXM The Message program Acoustic Storytime have come to appreciate, this song takes a different approach. Rather than walking us through a narrative with a beginning, middle, and end, it becomes a conversation with God. It’s the kind of song that reminds us that our greatest need isn’t always an explanation for our circumstances, but a deeper awareness of the One who walks through them with us.
Right from the opening lines, the song strikes a chord with anyone who has spent time following Christ. There are moments when life simply doesn’t make sense. Pain arrives unexpectedly. Prayers seem unanswered. We search endlessly for the reason behind our suffering, convinced that if we could just understand the “why,” maybe the hurt would become easier to bear. It’s a struggle that every believer faces at one point or another. We know God is good, yet our circumstances can tempt us to wonder if He’s forgotten us or if somehow He was caught off guard by what happened.
Scripture paints a very different picture. God is never surprised by our pain. He sees the beginning from the end, and while we may not understand His purposes in the moment, we can trust that nothing enters our lives apart from His knowledge and care. That doesn’t always remove the hurt, but it does give us confidence that our suffering is never meaningless and never experienced alone.
The chorus captures the heart of that truth beautifully. Rather than demanding answers, it gently shifts our focus toward God’s presence. So often we believe that if God would simply explain everything, our hearts would be satisfied. Yet throughout Scripture, God frequently offers Himself before He offers explanations. His promise has never been that life will be free from hardship, but that He will never leave nor forsake His people.
That’s what makes the chorus so powerful. It reminds us that we don’t need every question answered because Jesus is already beside us. Like a loving Father reaching for the hand of His child, He invites us to trust Him one step at a time. Sometimes the greatest miracle isn’t that our circumstances immediately change, but that we discover Christ’s peace in the middle of them.
It’s amazing how quickly our own minds can become our greatest obstacle. Left to ourselves, we replay conversations, imagine worst-case scenarios, and try to solve problems that only God can carry. Anxiety feeds on unanswered questions, but faith feeds on God’s character. The more we fix our eyes on His faithfulness instead of our uncertainty, the more our hearts find rest.
That doesn’t mean we stop asking questions. The Psalms are filled with honest cries of “Why?” and “How long?” God welcomes our honesty. But He also lovingly redirects our attention from our limited perspective to His unchanging love. As Isaiah reminds us, God’s thoughts are higher than our thoughts and His ways higher than our ways (Isaiah 55:8-9). Trust grows not because we understand everything, but because we know the One who does.
So my prayer after listening to this song is a simple one. The next time trouble comes your way, instead of immediately searching for answers, pause and ask God to make His presence unmistakably real. Ask Him to remind you that He has never left your side. Pray that He would quiet the endless noise inside your own mind and replace it with the peace that only He can give.
Because in the end, that’s what this song is really about. It isn’t asking God to explain every hardship. It’s asking Him to hold our hand through it. And when we are swallowed up not by our fears but by God’s incredible heart for us, we begin to realize that His presence has always been enough.
Week in Reflection
This week has been an incredible encouragement, especially when it comes to my men’s group. Every Friday morning I leave reminded of how gracious God has been in surrounding me with men who genuinely desire to know Him more and who want to help each other pursue Christ faithfully. It’s easy to think spiritual growth is something we accomplish on our own, but weeks like this remind me that God often grows us through the people He places beside us. Their wisdom, honesty, and willingness to challenge one another have become one of the greatest blessings in my walk with Christ.
This week our group decided to give ourselves a little “homework.” Rather than simply discussing spiritual disciplines, we each committed to intentionally practicing an action throughout the week that would draw us closer to God. It wasn’t about checking a religious box or earning favor with Him. It was about creating intentional habits that would help us keep our eyes fixed on Christ in the middle of busy schedules and everyday distractions.
One man shared that he wanted to memorize a hymn. His reason wasn’t simply because hymns are rich in joyful praise, although they certainly are. His desire was to have those truths stored in his heart so he could sing them to his children at any moment. I loved hearing that because it wasn’t just about his own spiritual growth. It was about creating opportunities to disciple his kids, reminding both himself and them of God’s character through songs that have encouraged believers for generations.
Another man committed to prayer, but with a specific emphasis. Rather than praying only in private, he wanted to intentionally pray with his wife. That simple commitment spoke volumes to me. It’s one thing to pray individually, but there is something deeply meaningful about bringing your spouse, or any other person for that matter, before the Lord together, sharing burdens, celebrating answered prayers, and growing spiritually together. It was a reminder that our spiritual disciplines often bless those around us just as much as they bless us.
As I thought through what I wanted to focus on, I also landed on prayer. However, it wasn’t simply praying more often. I wanted to be intentional about physically kneeling before God each day. For years my nightly prayers have often happened as I was lying in bed, and more times than I’d like to admit those prayers gradually blended into falling asleep. While there is certainly nothing wrong with praying while lying down, I realized that for me it had become easy to lose focus. My prayers would become shorter, my mind would wander, and before long I would be asleep.
This week I began kneeling beside my bed instead. It seems like such a small change, but it has made a significant difference. There is something humbling about physically lowering yourself before the Lord. My posture has helped shape my heart. Instead of prayer feeling like the last task before sleep, it has become a dedicated moment of worship and conversation with the Lord. I’ve found myself more attentive, more focused, and more intentional with what I bring before God. Rather than rushing through familiar requests, I’ve lingered longer in thanksgiving, confession, and praise. I have genuinely looked forward to those moments instead of simply fitting them into the end of the day.
That experience has reminded me that sometimes our spiritual lives don’t need massive overhauls. Sometimes a small change in habit or routine can help us better recognize God’s presence and create space to commune with Him more intentionally. The goal isn’t the physical act of kneeling itself, but the heart posture it helps cultivate. For me, it’s been a practical way to remove distractions and remind myself that I’m coming before a holy and gracious Father who invites me to cast every care upon Him.
Perhaps the greatest takeaway from this week, though, isn’t the specific things we each chose. It’s the gift of having brothers in Christ who encourage one another to pursue Jesus more faithfully. We celebrate victories together, confess struggles together, pray for one another, and lovingly challenge each other when needed. In a culture that often encourages isolation and self reliance, having a community that points one another toward Christ is invaluable.
I know not everyone has a men’s group or women’s group like this, but I truly believe every believer should seek out that kind of biblical community. We weren’t designed to walk this journey alone. We need people who will celebrate God’s faithfulness with us, ask the hard questions, hold us accountable when we drift, and continually point us back to the Gospel. I’m incredibly thankful for the men God has placed in my life, and I pray I can be the same kind of encouragement to them that they have been to me.
And always remember, God loves you, and so do I.
Connection Church in Sioux Falls is a gospel-centered community committed to helping people follow Jesus through authentic relationships, biblical teaching, and everyday mission. Rooted in historic Christian belief and aligned with gospel renewal movements, the church exists to see lives transformed by Jesus. Learn more: https://siouxfallsconnection.com/who-we-are
