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1 The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, their deeds are vile; there is no one who does good. 2 The LORD looks down from heaven on all mankind to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God. 3 All have turned away, all have become corrupt; there is no one who does good, not even one. 4 Do all these evildoers know nothing? They devour my people as though eating bread; they never call on the LORD. 5 But there they are, overwhelmed with dread, for God is present in the company of the righteous.6 You evildoers frustrate the plans of the poor, but the LORD is their refuge. 7 Oh, that salvation for Israel would come out of Zion! When the LORD restores his people, let Jacob rejoice and Israel be glad! (Psalm 14 NIV Bible)
Happy Thursday, dear Friend! May God lead us to a closer and deeper understanding of His love and plan for us as we spend time together with Him. May we continue to pray for brother Dieringer's son-in-law as he faces cancer treatments. Let us pray for Mr. Rafe Jackson and his wife, Pam, who cares and drives Rafe to Austin for this treatment. May God bring healing and peace to the Jackson family. Also, please pray for the family of The Rev. Bill Nogues and his wife, Lillian, both died in the last few days of a respiratory illness. Bill was an early leader of the Walk to Emmaus retreats in the Southwest Texas Conference of the UMC, and I was honored to have served alongside him in those days.
David has a name for those who do not believe in God, fools. He pulls no punches, and he's honest about his assessment about those who choose to not believe in God; fools. He also says they are corrupt and are vile people because of the deeds are vile. And then he groups with these fools, those who are not capable for doing good. And he further says that God may hold that same opinion about that group of people.
If you're like me, I was blessed to have been raised in a household where the reality of God was never doubted. I am thankful for that. Have I ever doubted? I have had my doubts about circumstances or events, but never about God not being real or ever present with me. Do I have a list of questions that I have for God? No, I'm not that well organized, nor has my faith wavered to the point where I still question or would question God. I'm more in the Paul camp where I see myself still marveling about God's love and grace towards me, me another one who could stand with the chiefs among sinners. But I would stand alongside those who would say that God is the source of hope.
We can believe in God intellectually while being practical atheists in our daily choices. We can affirm His existence on Sunday while ignoring His presence Monday through Saturday. The fool is anyone who compartmentalizes God out of the decisions that really matter—career, relationships, finances, priorities.
David's evaluation is devastatingly comprehensive: "They are corrupt, their deeds are vile; there is no one who does good." This isn't hyperbole—it's reality. Left to ourselves, without God's transforming presence, we naturally drift toward selfishness, pride, and moral compromise.
"The Lord looks down from heaven on all mankind to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God." Picture this cosmic scene—God scanning the earth, searching for hearts that genuinely seek Him, minds that truly understand what life is about, lives that reflect His character.
What does He find? "All have turned away, all have become corrupt; there is no one who does good, not even one." This isn't God being pessimistic—it's God being realistic. The human condition apart from divine grace is universally broken.
But notice something beautiful: God is looking. He's searching. He's hoping to find those who understand and seek Him. This isn't the distant observation of an indifferent deity—it's the loving gaze of a Father looking for His children to come home.
"Do all these evildoers know nothing? They devour my people as though eating bread; they never call on the Lord." David identifies a particular kind of foolishness—those who exploit the vulnerable while ignoring God. They "devour" God's people with the casual indifference of eating a meal.
This challenges us to examine our own hearts. Where might we be taking advantage of others' weakness or vulnerability? Where do we consume blessings without gratitude, enjoy privileges without responsibility, benefit from systems that harm others while never calling on the Lord for wisdom or justice?
The oppressor's greatest folly isn't their cruelty—it's their assumption that God isn't watching, that He doesn't care about the marginalized, that there will be no reckoning for injustice.
"You evildoers frustrate the plans of the poor, but the Lord is their refuge." Here's the psalm's first note of hope. While the powerful may oppress and the wealthy may exploit, God positions Himself as the defender of those who have nowhere else to turn.
This is both comfort and challenge. If you're among the vulnerable, the marginalized, the powerless, know that God sees your situation and offers Himself as your refuge. If you're among the privileged, the powerful, the comfortable, remember that God's heart beats for those you might overlook.
The Lord's commitment to justice isn't abstract theology—it's personal reality for those who cry out to Him from places of pain and powerlessness.
While Psalm 14's diagnosis is harsh, it contains a profound invitation. If we're all fools by nature, if we've all turned away, if none of us does good—then we're all equally in need of grace. The psalm levels the playing field: we're all broken, and we all need the same salvation.
This creates space for humility instead of judgment, for compassion instead of condemnation. When you recognize your own foolishness, you can extend grace to others caught in theirs. When you acknowledge your own tendency to live as if God doesn't matter, you can invite others into the life-changing reality of His presence.
The beautiful truth hidden in this psalm is that while we were not seeking God, He was seeking us. While we were turning away, He was drawing near. While we were doing wrong, He was planning our restoration. This is the gospel in miniature—God's relentless pursuit of those who don't naturally pursue Him.
If you've experienced God's transforming grace, you've become part of the answer to David's prayer. You're evidence that salvation has come, that restoration is possible, that there are indeed those who understand and seek God. Your life becomes a testimony that the universal diagnosis of foolishness doesn't have to be the final verdict.
PRAYER: Lord, we confess that we have all played the fool, living as if You don't matter, making decisions as if You're not watching, treating others as if You don't care about justice. Thank You that even while we were turning away from You, You were seeking us. Come quickly, Lord Jesus, and complete the restoration You've begun. Until that day, help us live as people who know that salvation has come out of Zion, who rejoice in what You've done, and who long for what You will do. In Your name, Amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! OUR CALL TO ACTION: This week, examine one area of your life where you might be living as a "practical atheist"—making decisions as if God's presence and perspective don't matter. Ask Him to transform that area and to help you live with the consistent awareness that He sees, He cares, and He will ultimately set all things right.
I love you and I thank God for you,
Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.
