Where did God come from? Who created him? The professing confused Christian who asked this question was not consciously rejecting God. She probably had not considered the implication of her questions, that if God was created then He can’t be God!
The implication is similar to the question in Psalm 115:2, “Why should the nations say, ‘Where, now, is their God?’” In other words, God doesn’t exist. Or if He does, He doesn’t care enough to protect His people.
One reason deniers deny God is because doubting the existence of God avoids verse 1 of this psalm, which says,
Not to us, O Yahweh, not to us,
But to Your name give glory
Because of Your lovingkindness, because of Your truth.
Glory belongs to God because He is God. (And what a God He is, full of loyal love and truth!) If He is from somewhere, like I am, then He is only created like me, so I won’t have to honor Him as God, submit to Him, or believe what He says.
But whatever is claimed, the reality is, “Our God is in the heavens; He does whatever He pleases” (3). “In the heavens” means He transcends all created things and is the only one with the right and power to do as He pleases. He is the “from” from which all other things come.
In contrast, created gods are from some other source. For that reason, they are neither reliable for trust nor worthy of our honor.
Their idols are silver and gold [made of material elements, not spiritual],
The work of man’s hands [manmade].
They have mouths, but they do not speak [unable to communicate, comfort, or counsel wisdom];
They have eyes, but they do not see [unable to know us and our circumstances, blind to truth];
They have ears, but they do not hear [unable to hear prayers];
They have noses, but they do not smell [unable to experience what we experience or enjoy the aroma of our worship];
As for their hands, they do not feel [unable to sense anything to control the world];
As for their feet, they do not walk [unable to go to anyone’s aid];
They do not make a sound with their throat [unable to teach truth or give wisdom].
Those who make them will become like them,
Everyone who trusts in them. (4-7)
Rejecting Yahweh, all that is left are helps or crutches that promise good but are powerless to deliver it. They cannot provide wisdom, companionship, intimacy, sympathy, truth, strength, or deliverance. Instead, their followers become like what they follow–yikes!
While it is acceptable to sincerely ask about God’s existence to understand Him better, God doesn’t allow us the option of viewing Him as created or “from” somewhere. Instead, God issues a command:
O Israel, trust in the Lord;
He is their help and their shield.
O house of Aaron, trust in Yahweh;
He is their help and their shield.
You who fear Yahweh, trust in Yahweh;
He is their help and their shield. (9-11)
The people of Israel, their spiritual leaders, and any Gentiles who turn to him are included. Reiterated three times, trust in Yahweh is a mandate. The result is also reiterated; unlike the fakes, God is able to save and protect (“help” and “shield”).
He is also personal, faithful, intentional, and kind. He wasn’t absent or uninterested.
Yahweh remembered us;
He will bless us;
He will bless the house of Israel;
He will bless the house of Aaron.
He will bless those who fear Yahweh…
May you be blessed of Yahweh,
Who made heaven and earth. (12-15)
However, the kind promise of special blessing is obviously not for everyone. “He will bless those who fear Yahweh.” (Of Israel and Aaron first, but also of any people, fearing Yahweh is the only path to blessing.)
People in Jesus’ day asked the same questions of Him. “Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph…? How does He now say, “I have come down from heaven?” (Jn 6:44). This Creator (not created) answered, “I am the living bread that came down out of heaven,” sent from the Father (6:51, 57).
The heavens are the heavens of Yahweh,
But the earth He has given to the sons of men.
It is not the dead that praise Yah,
And it is none of those who go down to silence; (16-17)
Where is God from? No one created God. God has always been. It is we who are created. He created heavens and earth. Owning the heavens, He is transcendent. Kindly, He has given earth as a stewardship for man to rule under God’s command and to God’s glory. Our rightful place is to submit and praise Him while we can on earth. Those who do not praise God as God need to examine their hearts, lest they be deceived and follow a man-made refuge. Those who trust in the Maker as God will enjoy His lovingkindness and truth (1). No wonder they, as verse 1 says, give Yahweh glory!
But as for us, we will bless Yah
From this time forth and forever.
Praise Yah! (18)
SeedSown 