From Psalm 14:1 Fools say in their hearts, "There is no God." They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds; there is no one who does good. 2 The Lord looks down from heaven on humankind to see if there are any who are wise, who seek after God. 3 They have all gone astray, they are all alike perverse; there is no one who does good, no, not 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 shall be in great terror, for God is with the company of the righteous. 6 You would confound the plans of the poor, but the Lord is their refuge. 7 O that deliverance for Israel would come from Zion! When the Lord restores the fortunes of his people, Jacob will rejoice; Israel will be glad.
What do you really think, David, about those who do not believe in God? Verse one answers that quite clearly; they are fools. The psalmist goes on to detail just what they do to prove both their foolishness and their misguided ways; they are corrupt and they do abominable deeds. They have gone astray, he continues, they are perverse, not one of them does good, "no, not one." The theme follows the other passages for this week's lectionary texts; humankind choosing to be estranged from God and then suffering the result. God seeks who might be trying to do or be good, and finds none. The psalmist knew it was as easy as calling out to the Lord, but out of their lack of knowledge find themselves farther away from God, for God is in the company of those who seek to live right. The evil might try to further harm the poor, but the poor have God as their refuge. Yet, even the psalmist held the belief that one day deliverance from evil would come and the Lord would restore the fortunes of His people from among Jacob and Israel.
Do you hold that hope? Do you do your part to call people back to God? Our message should be one of love and caring, that God indeed exists and stands ready to enter into relationship with those who call upon God. Full restoration to righteousness is ours when we seek God. Don't give up. Stand steady.
PRAYER: Living God, move among us who strive to serve You and Yours. Strengthen our hope that we might indeed bring Your love and message to those who do not yet believe. This I pray in Christ Jesus, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
