Although Psalm 53 is Psalm 14 with a couple of minor changes, there is much to be learned and applied.  David still believes it is foolish to believe God does not exist.  He says, “The fool says in his heart, there is no God” (v. 1a).  That’s still true today.  Only a fool would not believe in God!  The irony about atheists is that they talk more about God than anybody!  David says the one who claims there is no God is corrupt, vile, and does no good (v. 1b).  Without God, that’s how we all are!  I would caution those who are swayed by the atheist by the words of Paul in Colossians 2:10, “Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.”  The opposite of foolishness is wisdom.  That’s why Proverbs 1:7 says, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.”  Wisdom is having a holy fear (awe) of the Lord. 

Psalm 53:2 says, “God looks down from heaven on all mankind to see if there are any who understand and any who seek God.”  When He looks down, does He see you seeking after Him?  Does He see you gaining an understanding of Him?  Or does He see you as the person in verse 3?  It says, “Everyone has turned away, all have become corrupt.”  Do you “devour God’s people” and “never call on God” (v. 4)?  Don’t be wise in your own eyes (Proverbs 3:7).  Fear the Lord!  May the Lord find us seeking Him!  He will scatter, put to shame, and despise those who do not fear Him and attack His people (v. 5)!  May that warning draw you to Jesus!

Verse 6 sums up the life for those who follow and trust in God.  God brings salvation, restoration, joy, and gladness!  The person who does not believe in God does have faith but has placed it wrongly in disproving God through atheism.  I urge you to place your faith in God through Jesus His Son.  Christians are urged to “test everything; hold fast what is good” (1 Thessalonians 5:21).  We sometimes doubt (Jude 1:22).  We don’t blindly believe but have “received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so” (Acts 17:11).  We clearly see God in creation (Romans 1:20-21) as “the heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork” (Psalm 19:1). 

To the atheist, I write this.  You’ve spent so much time thinking about God negatively, why not open your heart and mind positively towards Him?  You’ve reasoned there is no God, but God is now saying to you, “Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord:  though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool.”  Redirect your faith in the living God because “without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.” You don’t have to always have all the answers to place your faith in God because He is the answer.  Just as Jesus told Thomas when he needed evidence of the resurrection, “Because you have seen me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed” (John 20:29).  God’s nonexistence cannot be proven.  That’s why atheists are still arguing their points today.  Faith in God brings peace, hope, and joy disbelief could never provide.  If Christians are wrong, then their faith in Christ has caused them to miss heaven and death is the end.  But what if you’re wrong?  Your disbelief in Christ will cause you to actually miss eternity in heaven!  That’s a foolish risk I’m not willing to take.

Questions:

1. Are you at peace believing there is a God or constantly in an uproar about those who do believe there is a God?
2. Have you placed your faith in God, the One Who knows it all, or has your disbelief caused you to be the know-it-all?
3. What is keeping you from believing in God?  Why not ask God to help you believe?

Prayer:

Lord, I choose to believe not only in You existence, but I will seek a relationship with You.  Help me in my doubts.  Help me clearly see You even in creation.  Reveal Yourself and plan for my life as I read Your word and pray to You.  Help those who do not believe to choose Christ.  In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

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stephenrharrison

Stephen and his wife Haley have called Arkansas home all of their lives. Stephen has served in several ministry roles over the last 25 years and as a lead pastor for the last 8 years. Stephen attended Williams Baptist College and earned a BA in Biblical Studies from Ouachita Baptist University, an MA, MDiv, and DMin in Christian Leadership and Pastoral Ministries from Liberty University. When not pastoring, Stephen enjoys running, cycling, reading, writing, camping, fishing, and spending time with his family.