Passage: Psalm 14
The Big Idea
“The fool has said in his heart, ‘There is no God.'” Psalm 14 describes humanity left to itself: corrupt, gone astray, unwilling to call on the Lord. Paul quotes it to show that all have sinned (Romans 3:10-12). But the psalm ends with longing for salvation from Zion, and joy when God restores His people.
Reflections
The fool says, “There is no God” (v. 1). My flesh acts as if it’s on its own, walking naked through the garden of life, dependent on no one. It’s corrupt and does corrupt things. There’s never been a different outcome.
The Lord looks down from heaven (v. 2). God sees everything we do: the weakness and failure of every person on earth, billions of people He loves and watches.
They have all turned aside (v. 3). Every human is under the same curse. We’ve all strayed from God, so all we’re left to depend on is ourselves. We push through the world with power or whatever feels right at the time, and it all fails.
They do not call on the Lord (v. 4). The flesh would rather keep doing evil than call on the Lord.
They are in great fear (v. 5). Somehow the flesh knows God isn’t with it. There’s dread in feeling like God’s enemy, because I’m not righteous on my own.
You shame the counsel of the poor (v. 6). People who trust the flesh mock those who admit they need God. Trusting the Lord seems ridiculous to the self-reliant. But the Lord is his refuge.
Oh, that salvation would come! (v. 7). The only salvation that matters comes from God. He can and will free His people, those who trust in Him. And the simple response of the weak will be joy. Be still, and wait for the salvation of God.
Grace Takeaway
Psalm 14 leaves no room for pride: none of us is good on our own. But that’s exactly why salvation had to come from Zion, in Jesus. Call on the Lord, and rejoice in the salvation He gives.
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