Yes, sadly I recognised I’ve acted not like a child of God but as that arrogant Pharisee!

In the Bible when something or someone is referenced to being "foolish", this means that this person is "someone who disregards God's word". How many times have I taken God’s word for granted, and have followed “my ways”, instead of being submissive an obedient, disregarding His word and or precepts?

 “Practical denial or neglect of His working in the world, rather than a creed of negation, is in the psalmist’s mind. In effect, we say that there is no God when we shut Him up in a far-off heaven, and never think of Him as concerned in our affairs. To strip Him of His justice and rob Him of His control is the part of a fool. For the Biblical conception of folly is moral perversity rather than intellectual feebleness, and whoever is morally and religiously wrong cannot be in reality intellectually right.” (Maclaren)

The phrasing of “said in his heart”, in this first verse also means “what he thinks”… that is to say, that one may believe in God in theory, yet be a practical atheist in the way he lives. Most of us before surrendering our life to Jesus were in that situation; we had our “personal” beliefs and or religion and thought we were “good people”.  Sadly this is also the condition of our family members and friends, who are not saved!

In the following verses 14:2-3, we read:

“The Lord has looked down from heaven upon the children of me to see if there are any who understand (act wisely), Who [truly] seek after God, [longing for His wisdom and guidance]. ³ They have all turned aside, together they have become corrupt; There is no one who does good, not even one.”

Someone who is leaning on his own merits and or religion will not seek God unless he is in a desperate situation, waiting to receive His favor through rituals and practices, as if He were the genie of a lamp! This person is not seeking the True God of the Bible but seeking an idol, and as a consequence he “does no good”! (Romans 3:10)

“What a picture of our race is this! Save only where grace reigns, there is none that doeth good; humanity, fallen and debased, is a desert without an oasis, a night without a star, a dunghill without a jewel, a hell without a bottom.” (Spurgeon)

As we continue reading in the next final verses David mentions he and God’s people are surrounded by enemies and persecutors, but he also realizes: “For God is with the [consistently] righteous generation. (v.5b) and “… the Lord is his safe refuge.” (v.6b) Yes, let's not lose hope, He is in control!

David closes this Psalm by expressing his great longing that God would bring the victory and deliverance He had promised to His people; here “captivity” is used in a general sense, speaking of any time or situation where God’s people are oppressed and bound. This Victory from captivity was given to us only through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Oh what love our heavenly Father has for us!

Jesus said in Luke 4:18,19

18 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me (the Messiah), because He has anointed Me to preach the good news to the poor. He has sent Me to announce release (pardon, forgiveness) to the captives, And recovery of sight to the blind, To set free those who are oppressed (downtrodden, bruised, crushed by tragedy), 19 to proclaim the favorable year of the Lord [the day when salvation and the favor of God abound greatly].”

Let us pray: Thank you Heavenly Father for your Saving Grace through the Sacrifice of Your Precious Son, Jesus! Thank you for Your Word which is alive and active (Heb. 4.12); may I use it diligently to seek you and worship you. May I keep it in my heart so I can share it with boldness to those who are still captive in their sins! That they too, may know You as their Deliverer and their Safe Refuge! In Jesus Name I pray. Amen.

Mari