Psalm 14 1

AM Psalm 119:1-24; PM Psalm 12, 13, 14
1 Kings 3:1-15; Acts 27:9-26; Mark 14:1-1

KEY VERSE: The fool says in his heart, "There is no God." -- Psalm 14:1

The Fool's Heart
By Dorothy A. DeBisschop

"The fool says in his heart,'There is no God,'" the psalmist writes.  But for many years I never noticed that the fool is saying with his heart, not his voice or mind.

When General Lew Wallace was governor of New Mexico, he was not a believer.  At the suggestion of a fellow-atheist, Wallace decided to write a book "exposing" Christ as a deceiver.   But when Wallace studied the scriptures to learn more about Christ, he changed his mind. He did write a book, but it was far different than the one he imagined at the start.

The book was made into a movie -- BEN HUR, which was subtitled A Story of the Christ, is a book of faith.  The reading of the scriptures caused Wallace to change his thinking completely.

Another non-believer who became a Christian, C. S. Lewis, wrote, "A young man who wishes to remain an atheist cannot be too careful of his reading."  For Lewis, as for Wallace, a reading of the gospels convinced him that Christ was not a deceiver, but was, in fact, the son of God.

"The fool says in his heart, 'There is no God,'" the psalmist writes.  Notice that "the fool says in his heart," for atheism is as much of a choice as belief.  And belief is a matter of choosing with the heart -- for faith cannot be proven.

ACTIVITY FOR THE DAY:  Consider in your heart, all the reasons you have to believe in a God who is active in your life, and offer thanks to Him.

PRAYER:  Dearest Lord Jesus, When we wonder about God and what he is like, we have only to look to you and your life to see the love of God and to appreciate the grace of God extended to us.  Help us to be ever-mindful of your loving presence through this day.  Amen.