Psalm 53 is similar to an earlier Psalm 14, written by David in his youth. Now, as a King and a wise man, he found men to be no better than when he was a young Shepherd and soldier. There were still many evil, corrupt men and women in his kingdom who foolishly followed their own ways, instead of the ways of the Lord.
And it continues today - for there is still only one way to live a righteous, godly life. Only one way to find your way to Heaven, no matter what anyone may tells you - through having a relationship with Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour.
"Jesus said: "Have I been with you for such a long time and still you do not know me?" John 14:9
WHAT IS A FOOL? - Read Psalm 53:1-3
There are two kinds of fools:
* Those who make you laugh - like clowns in the circus.
* Those who are stupid - specifically as David talks about here who `deny the existence of God'.
Some of us,these days, would call them `atheists', but some atheists would not call themselves fools, for they have real intellectual reasons for not believing in God. Some may even believe in God in `theory', yet their actions don't match their words.
It may seem like an exaggeration to say "they are corrupt and their actions are evil; that not one of them is good"; but David repeats this statement in Verse 3: "all have turned away and become corrupt. Not one of them is good, not a single one."; so I believe he really wants us to take a close look at what he is saying here.
I don't believe David is saying that every atheist lives a corrupt live, or that every believer is perfect. But there is certainly a moral difference between those who take God seriously in their lives and those who don't.
We know that because of what Adam and Eve did in the Garden of Eden, we are a fallen race. Sin entered the world and it may sound scary, but because of this, it is `our first instinct to do bad rather than good'.
* The path of least resistance leads to bad.
* It is often easier to encourage someone on the path of bad rather than good.
* Many of our good deeds are tinged with selfish, bad motives
Ultimately, the result of denying God will lead to iniquity and corruption!
The good news is that God has not forgotten us. David reminds us that God is looking down from Heaven, not only as a judge, but as a merciful, compassionate God. He cares about His creation and has a plan for the lost and corrupt, for the world that has turned away from Him. And of course, He is always watching over `those who seek Him'.
"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that came through Jesus Christ." Romans 3:23&24
"For I know the plans I have for you," says the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a future and a hope." Jeremiah 29:11
WILL THIS PEOPLE EVER LEARN? - Read Psalm 53:4-6, Joshua 10, Judges 7, 1 Samuel 13.
Will the evildoers and lawbreakers ever learn? We see them on the news every night - those who have little remorse for their actions, and as David puts it, have `no desire to follow God'. And the truth is if you 'do not call on God in PRAYER', and seek a relationship with Him and His Son Jesus, then yes it may seem that `you are a people who will never learn'.
"Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." Jeremiah 29:12&13
David was wanting his people to trust in the God he knew - the God whose omnipresence and faithfulness had become real to him in stories of old, and from his own experiences.
"The Lord threw them into confusion before Israel, who defeated them in a great victory in Gibeon. Israel pursued them along the road going up to Beth Horon and cut them down all the way to Azekah and Makkedah. As they fled before Israel on the road from Beth Horon to Azekah, the Lord hurled large hailstones down on them, and more of them died from the hail than were killed by the swords of the Israelites" Joshua 10:10&11
"So Gideon took the men to the water. There the Lord told him: "Separate those who lap the water with their tongues like a dog with those who kneel down to drink." Three hundred men their with their hands to their mouths......The Lord said to Gideon: "With these 300 who lapped I will save you and give the Midianites into your hands"....... When the 300 trumpets shouted the Lord caused the men throughout the camp to turn on each other with their swords." Judges 7:6&7, 22.
"So Jonathon said to his armour bearer: "Climb up after me, the Lord has given them into the hand of Israel." Jonathon climbed up, using his hands and feet, with his armour bearer right behind him. The Philistines fell before Jonathon and his armour bearer followed and killed behind him....... Then panic struck the whole army - those in the camp and the field, and those in the outposts and raiding parties - and the ground shook. It was panic sent from God."
1 Samuel 14:12,13,15.
David had, with God's help, also defeated the Philistines, as a young boy and a soldier himself. He knew that God would continue to `scatter the bones of evil people', if they would never learn, and continue to reject and despise Him.
SALVATION TO COME - Read Psalm 53:6.
Although it was hard to see at this present time, David knew that a Saviour would come and bring victory and deliverance to his people. We know that SAVIOUR is JESUS CHRIST, and we know that He has come for us and for all God's people.
David anticipated this coming deliverance with great joy and He called on His people to share it with Him.
"When God restores His people, Jacob will shout with joy and Israel will rejoice." Psalm 53:6
CONCLUSION
"For God sent His son into the word, not to condemn the world, but that the world might be SAVED THROUGH HIM." John 3:17
We too can sing our praises to our God, who sent His Son Jesus Christ to be our Saviour. We no longer need fear judgement, we no longer need to be overwhelmed by sin; for we have VICTORY AND DELIVERANCE in all areas of our lives. All we need to proclaim is: `THERE IS A GOD! THERE IS A LORD! HIS NAME IS JESUS and HE IS MY SAVIOUR!"
Enduring Word (2011) David Guzuk
www, Easy.english.info (2001) "Will They Ever Learn?" Gordon Churchyard
Holy Bible, New Living Translation (2007), Tyndall House
New International Version (2011), Biblica Inc.
