Nothing New About Atheism
Opening Prayer
Almighty and Everlasting God, I bow to acknowledge You as the only true God, and I worship and praise You now.
Read PSALM 14:1-7
[1] For the director of music. Of David. 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 the sons of men to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God. [3] All have turned aside, they have together become corrupt; there is no one who does good, not even one. [4] Will evildoers never learn- those who devour my people as men eat bread and who do not call on the LORD? [5] 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 the fortunes of his people, let Jacob rejoice and Israel be glad! Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of International Bible Society.
Reflect
Who is the "fool" and what is that person like?The first three verses of this psalm are quite stark! Surely not everyone is that corrupt. Yet we read these same verses last week as they are quoted by Paul in Romans 3. We are being given a God’s-eye view of humanity. Whenever we live a day in which we give no thought to God and run our lives to please ourselves, then we are among those described in the early part of this psalm.
Many of us live where the prevailing culture encourages us to act this way. God is considered an old-fashioned idea. There’s nothing new in this. The problem is described in Genesis 3, and the rest of the Bible gives us real-life examples of such practical atheism. By v. 4 an apparent contradiction emerges: there are some people who are good. These people are described as “my people” and in v. 5 as “the company of the righteous.” Out of the universal corruption of the human race it is possible to be right with God. The longing for salvation expressed by the psalmist (7) has been fulfilled in Jesus Christ. The unrighteous can be made righteous through faith in Jesus.
Apply
Are there ways in which you live as a “practical atheist”? Pray that you’ll always be in “the company of the righteous.”
Closing prayer
Lord God, save me from foolishness. Keep my heart set on You and my life a clear demonstration of my faith.
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