-----------------------
Msg #552 Wednesday, April 01, 2009
To subscribe to these weekly devotions,
send an email to: eedify@calvaryroswell.com
-----------------------
The fool has said in his heart,
“There is no God.” (Ps 53:1)
Happy Atheist’s Day! Ok, I am sure that was not the first…or the last time you have heard that line today J. Obviously, today is April 1st – known often as “April Fool’s Day”. Here in our text….it tells us that the fool is the one who says there is no God….thus….Happy Atheist’s Day.
It is foolish to say there is not a God. To believe there is not a God makes one a fool. Jim is not saying that, God is. The creation itself shouts out with its order, symmetry and complexity: There is a God! If there is a design, there is a designer. There is a universe, so there must be a universe maker. This is obvious. When someone disagrees with this…God says they have moved into the category of a fool. Rational reasoning and thought are put aside in such a one. This is important to understand, because so many try to argue an atheist out of their folly…but Biblically, they have forsaken wisdom and embraced folly.
The wise man’s eyes are in his head,
But the fool walks in darkness.. (Ec 2:14)
Arguing with a fool is rarely helpful. Far better, to pray that God would supernaturally open the eyes of the one being foolish to see what is so obvious – there is a God!
It is foolish to say no to God. It is interesting to note that our passage has a double meaning to it. Yes, it includes the thought of denying God’s existence. Yet, notice in the text that the words “there is” is in italics. Why is that? The translators of the Bible have put the words in italics because they are not really a part of the original text. As the translators were translating from Hebrew into English they would occasionally come across phrases that if translated literally formed poor structure and even understanding in English. When they came accorss this, they would occasionally add English words to make the sentence flow better, yet when they did so, they would put the added words in Italics, so that the reader would know what was added. So…all that to say, if you read it literally, our text would read:
The fool has said in his heart,
“no God.” (Ps 53:1)
Folly is found in denying there is a God. Yet, folly is even more found in those who know there is a God and tell Him “no”. To know there is a God, the Biblical God – who is good, holy, perfect, loving and involved. To know that what God has for your life is as good as it can be…and yet to refuse His guidance, His direction – is utter foolishness.
I will hear what God the Lord will speak,
For He will speak peace To His people and to His saints;
But let them not turn back to folly. (Ps 85:8)
Today, on “April Fool’s Day” – can I challenge you – turn away from folly. It is foolish to say NO to God. Today, I simply call you to say YES to all that He has for your life. I call you to forsake folly…and live!
I will hear what God the Lord will speak,
For He will speak peace To His people and to His saints;
But let them not turn back to folly.
Surely His salvation is near to those who fear Him,
That glory may dwell in our land.
Mercy and truth have met together;
Righteousness and peace have kissed.
Truth shall spring out of the earth,
And righteousness shall look down from heaven.
Yes, the Lord will give what is good;
And our land will yield its increase.
Righteousness will go before Him,
And shall make His footsteps our pathway. (Ps 85:8-13)
May His footsteps – be your path. May you follow Him today and not play the part of the fool and refuse His guidance!
Jim
-----------------------------------
Wanna Blog??? Have questions or want to comment on this edification? You can do so at the E-edify Blog. Go to http://eedify.wordpress.com/
Subscribe??? If you'd like to subscribe or unsubscribe to this list, e-mail us at eedify@calvaryroswell.com
|
