Psalm 14, Hiding from God

January 14

Opening Prayer

God as I step into this time of prayer and meditation I want to let go of anything in my life that would keep me from hearing your voice. Fill my heart with your love and peace, and my mind attentive to your words. Amen.

Psalm 14

Psalm 14:1 ESV

1 The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds; there is none who does good.

Hiding from God

Nothing is more dangerous than the person who thinks they know all they need to know. The person who has determined they no longer want or need to learn in humility from another. Tragically this is even more true for those who have in their pride determined they no longer believe in God. The reality is no matter how far we hide from God he still sees us.

The Fool says inwardly, “There is no God.” This leads to his inability to do good. Worse than that their inward life is spoiled and ruined. When God is removed from our heart the emptiness that remains craves fulfillment and the flesh is quick to run to violence toward ourselves and others. We hear God’s warning in the ten commandments that a rejection of God will lead to the harm of yourself and others. (Exodus 20:1-17)

David takes us back to the first family when he calls us the sons of Adam, Psalm 14:2. He remembers our first foray into sin when we desired to know the world as God knows it. It was not a pursuit of God, but a rejection of God and a desire to be godlike ourselves. God looks for Adam and Eve and they are in hiding. God looks from heaven today for those who would seek after God (דרשׁ). Are we running to God seeking his face or are we still hiding in the bushes in sinful shame?

God sees how people are prone to destroy others for their own selfish gain. They feed upon God’s people like eating bread, Psalm 14:4. “Why does my sin matter to God or anyone else?” Becuase, we are not capable of keeping sin in check without God’s help. It may begin as a “personal” problem, but sin doesn’t stop at the borders of our mind or our body. It will consume everything and everyone around us. Think of the cycles of sin within families and society in general, they don’t just fade out over time. They are only put in check by the power and spirit of God actively involved in our lives and the lives of our neighbors. And that is the point of the Psalm, not that God sees our sin and ignores it, but that God sees a people trapped by sin and sends salvation!

When God is not ignored, when He dwells with the community and makes us righteous there is deliverance from our sin and the sin of others, Psalm 14:5. God is our castle fortress in the desert of sin. He protects us even when others are destroying the goodness of God in our world. David saw a day for the release of the captives and the restoration of the people of God and he rejoiced just in the thought of it happening. How much more the celebration of the saints who know the salvation of God through Jesus Christ our Lord!

Prayer

God we praise you for your mighty work in creation. All the blessings in life that you created. Yet, we know that our own sinfulness has spoiled your Eden. Our guilt and shame drives us from your presence, we find ourselves hiding from your love and forgiveness. God no matter what sins we have committed we ask for your forgiveness. God thank you for your free gift of salvation through your one and only son, Jesus. Thank you for setting our feet on a new path and protecting us from sin and evil. God we ask for your continued protection for our families, our neighbors, and that your love would overwelm the sin of this world. God thank you for being our creator, savior, and sustainer.