I remember being taught from a young age never to call anyone a fool. Although not labelled in the same category with swear words, this four-letter-word was also taboo in our vocabulary. With synonyms like silly, stupid and senseless my parents warned us against attaching these descriptions to a person. We could say a decision or action was foolish, but we couldn't directly call anyone a fool.
David in this Psalm not only has the freedom to use the word "fool", but through the prompting of the Holy Spirit as he writes, attaches it to everyone and anyone who claims there is no God. Evidence of our Creator is so vast, that those who deny His existence can only be described as lacking common understanding and reason.
Where do we see God? Look around. I remember singing the following lyrics in my younger years: "In the stars His handiwork I see, On the wind He speaks with majesty". One of my favourite Steve Green songs is titled "Symphony of Praise". The song shares all the ways that the earth declares God's glory moment by moment, day after day. If you need a reminder of who God is, Louie Giglio has an incredible teaching entitled "Indescribable" (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qh4HcVY2_KE). Paul tells us in Romans 1:20, "For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities - His eternal power and divine nature - have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse."
And that is why those who deny God are called fools. This refusal to believe is not just a dismissal of a Deity, but a personal decision of unbelief. Fools refuse all the evidence of the existence of God. This rejection is not only intellectual, but as David wrote, it's "in their hearts". It's not just thought, but heart.
The original Hebrew word for "fool" being used here actually emphasizes not the lack of intelligence, but the presence of sinfulness. This verse is stating that it is a wicked thing to deny God. This evil is actually described in the second half of the verse saying, "They are corrupt, and their actions are evil; not one of them does good!" This foolishness is a lack of desire to live righteously, leading someone to reject God.
In my late teens there was a gospel singing group called "Silverwind". Lyrics in one of their songs actually addressed those who reversed the truth in today's text, calling Christ-followers fools for believing in Him. Over 40 years later I still recall and rejoice in the words of the chorus: "He is no fool who gives what he can't keep, to keep what he cannot lose, He is no fool who wants to have Jesus and everything else refuse...The wisdom of God you'll not understand if you're just a worldly man, But God has made the foolish thing to confound the wise."
Loving the Lord and living for Him is not a foolish response to Christ's invitation of salvation, it is the wisest decision you will ever make. Don't find yourself being called a "fool" today. The choice is yours.
(Now, humour me a little. A blast from the past, but a truth that endures:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wdNdt655CDQ)
1 comment:
Thank you Joy for sharing all that God places in your heart. Using lyrics from the song,,, I am in love with Christ and I’ll be in love for the rest of my life! Gail
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