There Is No God

I’ve called April 1 Atheists’ Day because Psalm 14 and Psalm 53 begin, “The fool says in his heart, ‘There is no God.'” But, not only atheists but backsliding Christians (2 Peter 2:20-21) and those who don’t seek God fall into the category of fool, according to the rest of this short psalm.

I. Romans 3:9-24. The application of Psalm 14 and Psalm 53 is made here. After describing how we are all alike under sin, this New Testament passage explains how God’s righteousness is made available through Jesus’ work on the cross for those who do seek Him.

II. Hebrews 10:26-31. As the wicked eat up the generation of the righteous, we understand that God gives salvation to all who call upon His name (Romans 10:9-13). Those who sin after the knowledge of the gospel will face judgment as they should know better.

III. Matthew 13:36-43. The last verse of these psalms proclaims that those who do seek God will find restoration, rejoicing, and gladness. Salvation came into Zion (John 12:13-15) and would indeed go forth from there (Acts 1:8). The righteous will shine like the sun.

By your living, do you say in your heart, ‘There is no God’?

No finer prayer

Lord who cares,

This prayer, no finer made, is mine:
“I believe; help my unbelief.”
So many times, O God, you proved
Your power and will to change our lives,
Forgive our sins, and reconcile.
Without a shadow of a doubt,
I know you live and move and act.
But still — yes, still! — after all these years,
My faith wavers and worry moves in,
Like storm clouds rolling in from the sea.
Ah!, my God, whose glory shines —
Forgive my foolish human sight.
Remove the ifs from my trembling lips,
That thanks may flow before the fact.
Lord, I believe! In you I trust.
When darkness comes, give me faith at last.

In the Man of the Cross, amen.

I believe, I know

Faith prayer

Lord Almighty, I believe,
Forgive my unbelief;
For lack of trust in you I grieve,
Of sins this is the chief.

My eyes can’t see, for all their strength,
The plans that you have made,
Nor love in all its depth and length
That marked my sins as paid.

Your gentle presence I cannot feel,
To touch my senses fail;
My hazy sight can’t but conceal
Your hand within the gale.

But this I know: You move and speak,
You answer when I kneel;
Your wing protects the small and weak—
I know my God is real.

JRMatheny