Back to the Psalms again! In today’s reading, Psalm 53 stood out to me. It is almost identical to Psalm 14. Both Psalms do not glamorize humanity. They do not look for that so-called spark of goodness in man. Instead, they offer a clear-eyed assessment of man, the one God sees when He looks down from heaven upon the human race.
Psalm 53:1 begins by defining the fool. According to God, a fool says there is no God in their heart. We also know from the Bible (Luke 6:45) that the mouth speaks out of the abundance of what is in the heart. So, someone who thinks in their heart that there is no God and a person who speaks with their mouth there is no God are fools. In the Bible, the fool is not someone with a low IQ (Intelligence Quotient). Many intelligent people in this world are fools because they say to themselves in their hearts there is no God.
This raises an interesting question: Does the fool believe there is no God? Interestingly, Psalms 14 and 53 never say they believe there is no God; instead, they say, in their hearts, there is no God. If we compare this with Romans 1:18-20, we have a better picture of what is happening.
For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. (Romans 1:18–20, ESV)
Those who say there is no God do not honestly believe that. They are simply trying to suppress the truth revealed in their hearts. They are lying to themselves, and they know it! That is foolishness. They are fools. Furthermore, the Psalmist says in Psalm 53:2-3 that there isn’t anyone who is truly wise. All have turned away, and all have become corrupt. What an indictment against all of humanity. Ouch!
So, what’s the solution? According to the Apostle Paul, the solution to this folly is the Gospel!
For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. (Romans 1:16, KJV)
Ultimately, the solution to humanity’s foolishness, the evil and corruption we see everywhere, is the radical changing of the heart. Only one thing can radically change such wickedness of heart: God! The very One that the human heart will lie to itself about is the One that delivers it from its foolishness unto wisdom through salvation in Jesus Christ.
Is it not amazing that there is an answer to the darkness, corruption, foolishness, and violence around us? Is it not amazing that the One we try to deny decided to love us anyway and offer us hope, salvation, and wisdom? Is it not amazing that when the Gospel impacts someone’s life, it radically changes them? Believer, let’s praise our Saviour for the power of the Gospel, for how it changed our lives and made us wise, and is still making wise the foolish who will believe!
Thank you for joining me as I read and journal chronologically through the Bible! This devotional reflection comes from Psalms 50; 53; 60; 75.