Category: PSALMS

Re:Verse passage – Psalm 14:1-7 (day seven)

The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God.” Psalm 14:1

Atheism masks itself as intellect when in reality it is ignorance.  Only a fool can look at the world and believe that this is all a coincidence. On the contrary, the existence of the universe means there must be a Creator. The existence of design in the universe means there must be a Designer. The unique nature and character of humanity means there must be a God who is relational. The existence of morality means there must be a God who provides moral law. Yet, a “Big Bang” is the reason to explain all of these things, right?

What might be even more foolish than atheism is the person who will sit in a pew today and live tomorrow in the same way they did yesterday. Moralistic Therapeutic Deism plagues our congregations. Is church simply a place for us to attend to make us feel better and help us to be good? No one is good, not even one. Church attendance cannot cover up the actions of the heart if those actions continue to say, “There is no God.”

Re:Verse passage – Psalm 14:1-7 (day six)

Good afternoon, church family. I am writing on Friday evening, Kenya time. Our week on mission has been full of joy and fruitfulness…but mentally, physically, and emotionally consuming. Thank you so much for your patience:

Psalm 14 paints a bleak picture of humanity. People ignore God. They pursue their own ways. Corruption spreads like a disease through society. It’s a psalm that feels surprisingly relevant. But then David ends with a longing:

“Oh, that the salvation of Israel would come out of Zion!” (Psalm 14:7)

In other words, David looks at the brokenness of the world and says, “Our hope must come from God.”

Zion was the place where God dwelt with His people. David knew that salvation wouldn’t rise out of human reform, political strength, or moral improvement. It had to come from God Himself.

And it did.

Centuries later, salvation did come from Zion, not just as an idea or a movement, but as a person. Jesus came to rescue a world that could not rescue itself.

Psalm 14 reminds us of two truths we must hold together. First, the world is more broken than we often admit. But second, and more importantly, God’s salvation is greater than the world’s brokenness.

When we look at the confusion, violence, and rebellion around us, we might feel the same cry rising in our hearts:

“Lord, let Your salvation come.”

And the good news of the gospel is that it already has.

Re:Verse passage – Psalm 14:1-7 (day five)

The phrase, “There is no one who does good” is repeated twice in this Psalm. When you read this and then read it again what happens in your mind and your heart?  Are you defensive?  Are you convicted?  The psalmist moves from the singular (the fool) to the plural (they have all). Just when you might think he is only referring to someone else, we realize he is talking about all of us. The fool won’t/can’t see the “foolishness” in their own life and heart. But through the work of Christ (come from Zion- see verse seven) God’s people do. And when we confess and repent, we find grace and peace in the humbling truth about the human race.

The fool does not feel his corruption, but the person in Christ does. The fool does not perceive the light of salvation, but the person in Christ does. The fool does not know his own wretchedness as he ought, but the person in Christ does. The person in Christ, despite the attacks of the opposition of the wicked, can rest in the reality that the Lord acts faithfully on his behalf.   Daniel Akin

Re:Verse passage – Psalm 14:1-7 (day four)

This Psalm paints a picture of God looking down on creation and finding no one who is righteous, no one who is holy, no one who is committed to justice. It ends with an expression of longing – longing for God to send the Promised One, longing for God to restore his people as he promised, longing for the restoration of the earth. As we continue through this season of Lent, we enter into that longing with the psalmist. We long for the salvation hope that will come on Easter morning. We long for the day still to come, where Jesus will return to make all things right.

Unlike the psalmist, we live in a world that Jesus has already walked. We live in a world that has seen the life, death, resurrection, and ascension of Christ. When we surrender our lives to Jesus, we are clothed in his righteousness. We aren’t righteous in our own right, but we are covered by the righteousness of Christ and therefore made acceptable before the Father. As we await Christ’s return, we seek to live in a way that matches our new clothes of righteousness. Praise God for fulfilling his promises!

Re:Verse passage – Psalm 14:1-7 (day three)

¹¹ The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds; there is none who does good.

The overall theme of this Psalm is that the world is full of people that do not believe there will be any accountability for their actions (no God). These foolish people live in a way that serves themselves, rather than in a way that serves the Lord. They have turned their backs on following the Lord, choosing again to serve their own desires. In reading this, it is easy to write these people off and to think that I (we) have done a pretty good job of following the Lord in all that He has commanded.

But aren’t we all guilty of choosing ourselves over God every day? Aren’t we guilty of falling into the traps of sin, forgetting briefly who we are and who we are supposed to follow instead of our own selfish desires? The Apostle Paul reiterates this fact in his letter to the Christians in Rome when he reminds them that all of us have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. We are all fools, at times, choosing our own way instead of following God.

As we read this community lament for the world around us this week, be sure to check your own heart, as well. May we not be foolish, but instead, follow the Lord in all that we do!

Re:Verse passage – Psalm 14:1-7 (day two)

The Lord has looked down from heaven upon the sons of men
To see if there are any who understand,
Who seek after God. v. 2

Isn’t it a wonder that God has given to us a curious nature, and a mind that seeks to understand the world? It is this curious nature that often moves the needle of our knowledge of the cosmos, and it is that nature which gets us into theological conundrums. It seems the more we know, the less we rely on God. Let’s be clear, God didn’t make a mistake when he gave us all a sense of wonder. He does ask us to acknowledge him in our limitations, our lack of understanding, and even in the things we do understand. The more we know should not diminish our dependence on God; rather it should reveal to us more of his incredible grace and mercy. Verse two tells us God is searching for those who are humble in their wisdom. May we always seek knowledge and understanding, and may we never cease to marvel at God’s supreme authority.

Re:Verse passage – Psalm 30:1-12 (day seven)

You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; Psalm 30:11a

As we have read this week, every time I get to verse 11 I find myself clapping and singing, “You are the Only One who can!”

Elevation Worship is not a musical group that we pull music from very often at FBCSA. However, they partnered with Brandon Lake to produce a song called “Graves into Gardens” that has a bridge that reads like this:

A word from Limuru, Kenya:

What amazes me is the range of emotions David expresses in this Psalm. He goes from immovable confidence to total despair.

In this Psalm, David models for us the cares we can bring to God. His shoulders are big enough for joy and desperation, fear and confidence. In fact, God expects us to bring what we feel to him.

Church planter and author Jeff Vanderstelt said, “Our feelings are an indication of our need. If we don’t take them to God, those needs will be met in unhealthy ways.” (Paraphrase)

Christian, take all your cares to the Lord. His shoulders are big enough.