When religious people forget what street they grew up on, they get proud.
This is Paul remembering where he came from. You’re a close second in my book!) I don’t think this statement is proof that Paul just had really low self-esteem. After all it was Paul who was able to say, “I am the worst of sinners.” And he was the greatest church planter the world has ever seen. I know it’s not a whole lot of fun, but I wonder if it doesn’t do our hearts and our souls some deep good to sit with this verdict. Maybe that hits a little closer to home.Īnd just in case we’re tempted to somehow wriggle out of this assessment, the final verdict thunders down, “there is no one doing good, not even one.” As one author wisely observes, “We like to cherish the thought that we may be exceptions,” but there are no exceptions here. No one is “seeking God,” cries the psalmist. This kind of biblical foolishness also expresses itself more subtly as a lack of desire to know and enjoy God. It is a practical atheism that lives life as if God doesn’t matter. This is not necessarily the atheism on display your favorite Christian movies (think, God’s Not Dead). This kind of biblical foolishness is on display in the nameless atheist of verse 1 who says in his heart “there is no god.” Notice where this creed is spoken. In the Hebrew Scriptures this word “fool” ( nabal in Hebrew) doesn’t refer to someone who is lacking intelligence but to someone who is lacking God-one who does not trust or fear or even acknowledge Yahweh. Calling someone a fool sounds old-fashioned or cruel. My guess is you don’t often use this word in everyday conversation. In verses 1-3, we find Yahweh peering down from heaven, intently searching the earth to find some good people. There’s treasure to be found at the end of this seemingly hopeless road. Don’t let the boarded up houses and broken glass scare you away too quickly, though. You might disagree with that assessment of course (we like to think we’re generally “good” people, don’t we?), but then again you’re not the one writing the psalm. It seems we all grew up on the corner of Foolish Drive and Corrupt Lane, on the second block east of Apathetic Ave. It’s no clean, quiet street lined with picket fences and petunias. One feature is unmistakeable though, and thats the volume at which Psalm 14 shouts “Don’t forget where you came from!” It seems to offer a little bit of everything. Dust you are and to dust you will return.Īccording to Bible geeks, Psalm 14 doesn’t fit neatly into any of the normal categories for a psalm. I’d like to think that the reason I can so easily bring to mind these addresses is that human beings are hardwired to know where we come from. I don’t know if this is just my experience or if this is universal. I can almost hear my 8-year-old self still getting it all straight in my head… N-A-V-A-H-O. Then before second grade, we moved to 3799 Navaho. Read Psalm 14 in preparation, and stay thirsty for Jesus, my friends! – Pastor Philip Today’s Thirsty Thursday is a reflection on Psalm 14 and was written by my oldest son, Matthew Rose.
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