Reading the Word

Psalm 14:1–7 (ESV)

¹ 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.

Understanding and Applying the Word

Paul quotes from this psalm in Romans when he says, “…there is none who does good, not even one.” There, Paul argues that all people are sinners and have fallen short and therefore are deserving of God’s wrath. Thankfully, God has graciously sent his Son, Jesus Christ, into the world to take the wrath for our sins instead. Those who trust in Christ are forgiven and given eternal life.

However, there are many who continue to refuse. Instead, they rebel against God, even to the point of denying his very existence. Why? Because if there is a God, they know they stand condemned as a result of their sins. To admit that God exists is to acknowledge a greater authority and a need to submit to that authority. Many are unable to do that so they stubbornly reject the revealed truth of God and continue to trust in their own ways. Sadly, this denial will eventually lead to self-destruction.

God is a refuge for those who will seek him and turn to his Son for salvation. Let us do that today.

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