Psalm 14
1 To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David.
The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds, there is none who does good. 2 The LORD looks down from heaven on the children of man, to see if there are any who understand, who seek after God. 3 They have all turned aside; together they have become corrupt; there is none who does good, not even one. 4 Have they no knowledge, all the evildoers who eat up my people as they eat bread and do not call upon the LORD? 5 There they are in great terror, for God is with the generation of the righteous. 6 You would shame the plans of the poor, but the LORD is his refuge. 7 Oh, that salvation for Israel would come out of Zion! When the LORD restores the fortunes of his people, let Jacob rejoice, let Israel be glad. (ESV)
The characteristics of the fool:
- Their Wilful Folly (vv 1-3).
The fool spoken of in this Psalm is the Hebrew word ‘Nabal’ – a fool that lacks spiritual wisdom and insight, not seeing the need and poverty in the world and only thinking of themselves. By leaving God out of their lives, they cause their inner person to become more corrupt in the heart (v 1) in the mind (vv 2,4) and in the will (v 3).
The whole world stands guilty before God (Rom 3:9-26). Each one of us has a fallen nature that we cannot change ourselves – individually or altogether. We can only be saved by the grace of God as revealed in the Lord Jesus Christ. - Their Sudden Fear (vv 4-6).
God has given enough evidence in the heavens above, the earth below and creative beings around us. It is foolish not to believe in God’s existence. The death of unbelievers brings them into God’s presence which will bring about their sudden fear. - Their Joyless Future (v 7).
When Jesus Christ returns He will defeat His enemies and cleanse the earth completely.
The wicked has no future with the Lord. Those who reject Him will spend an eternity without God, honestly being able to say in hell: ‘there is no God…here!’
Three proofs of God’s existence:
a. The person and work of our Lord Jesus Christ.
His miracles showed love and compassion – restoring the body and souls of people.
He is the only One who raised Himself from the dead.
b. Our God’s creation.
b. The Written Word of God.