Psalm 14.1 The fool
says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, their deeds are vile; there
is no one who does good. - David
I read this today and said inwardly, “Oh No! I know someone personally who says in his heart, ‘There is no
God!’” I think for the first time in my life, I came to a conclusion that I didn’t want to come
to: someone I know (and love, and care
for) has made a conscious decision to deny God. The word mercy, while prevalent throughout
Scripture, is not found in Psalm 14. That thought made me sad. It alarmed me.
It is one thing to know of God yet never have anything to
do with Him; but it is another to deny Him his deity and existence. (Frankly, I’m
not comfortable with either scenario.) But isn’t this the essence of the
magnitude of man: endowed by his Creator with inalienable rights, talents, and
skills; yet a steadfast denial of God and His provenance?
With regard to the person in question, I believe more in
his denial of the Church and her place, than in his utter denial of God. But one
thing that is hand-in-glove in a denial of God: the denial of His people; a
true and smug disdain for those who seek God’s truth and the life and
friendship He offers. God-haters are also people-haters. That’s tragic in a
variety of ways.
The word fool
in Psalm 14 is a Hebrew word that denotes moral
deficiency. We are all deficient in myriad ways. but moral deficiencies are
the worst. There is no edit-button
when morals are deficient. Decisions are based simply on personal feelings and
preference, and there is no consideration for the effect those decisions may have
in the lives of others. With little or no morals, one is left to his whims with
no regard for the result. The consequence of a lack of morals could be compared
to telling a raging, charging bear to: “STOP!” “SIT!” The bear knows no, no.
When we think of those who deny in their heart the
existence and presence of God their moral deficiency ought to alarm us. It
alarms me because I know of some that I am especially fond of who would spit in
God’s face had they the opportunity to do so. Ah, but because they deny God’s
existence, there is no face to spit
into… I don’t believe in a-theism; I do believe in unbelief.
And then, this changes my prayer. My prayer changes from,
bless this person, to, Lord, somehow,
someway, save this person. Unbelief
and denial are not just perspectives – they reveal a heart that is corrupt,
sick, and dangerous. I don’t want to
believe it’s true, but it’s true…
So, Lord, now I pray, in desperation, that their denial proves
false. I know it’s false; You know it’s false. My prayer is that they come to the place where they know it’s false. Let it not be said
that they are a true fool. May they simply be
fooled, ah, but may they be saved from their foolery. I pray in hope Lord of Your
of mighty power to influence. May it be so. Amen
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