The Fool’s Testimony: There Is No God

(Theme: Selections from the Psalms—Faith Set to Music)

“The fool has said in his heart, ‘There is no God.’ They are corrupt. They have done abominable works. There is none who does good. The Lord looks down from heaven upon the children of men, To see if there are any who understand, who seek God, They have all turned aside, They have together become corrupt; There is none who does good, No not one.” -Psalm 14: 1-3 (NKJV. Read Psalm 14).

Psalm 14 is another in the “Wisdom” Psalms classification, one that probes the mysteries of life. This psalm is attributed to David as author. It is a dark Psalm, for it deals with a common theme, atheism, or unbelief in Almighty God. This Psalm is as timely in our day as in the day of King David. There are those in every age who say, “There is no God.”

In our society, great precedence seems to be given to actions that might offend unbelievers. For example, new coins being commissioned and minted today do not bear the motto, “In God we trust.” The Ten Commandments cannot be displayed in public buildings because some will be offended by these laws from God’s own Word. In seeking to rewrite history, there are those who deny that America was founded on Christian principles. With David, we can sadly conclude: “There is none who does good, No not one” (Ps. 14:3). Certainly, “all have sinned and come short of the glory of God” (Rom. 3:23).

But the Psalmist gives an optimistic note. Despite evil everywhere and many who have turned aside from following God, he declares, “for God is present in the company of the righteous” (v. 5). God is also with the poor and is their refuge. This could also read “the poor in spirit,” or the humble—those who turn to God for help. David looks forward to the time when the salvation of Israel will come forth out of Mt. Zion and the Lord will restore His people. God and not evil will finally triumph.

The wisdom about life gained from this Psalm is that holiness is the high road and the one who walks in that way must make a conscious choice to do so. “Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you,” said Jesus in Matthew 6:33. God calls us to be holy. A positive goal for the life of a Christian is holiness and righteousness. We should make decisions in all our activities as though God is our companion—for He is. The fool does not acknowledge God or even believe in God. The wise person has God at the center of his life.

c Ethelene Dyer Jones; Thursday, May 20, 2010