Psalm 53:1 Fools say in their hearts, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, they commit abominable acts; there is no one who does good. 2 God looks down from heaven on humankind to see if there are any who are wise, who seek after God. 3 They have all fallen away, they are all alike perverse; there is no one who does good, no, not one.

This is another psalm attributed to King David. It’s hard to know exactly who David is writing about here. In v.1 he mentions “fools” who say “There is no God”. I get the sense these people deny God, not so much with their words, but by their actions. “They are corrupt, they commit abominable acts”. One would expect persons who believe in God would not tempt God like this. But notice the persons he’s referring to are “they” not “us”. It would seem David does not include himself in this group of fools.

Well, I’ll admit I am often among the fools. I’m not proud of that fact, but I often want to go my own way rather than God’s way. Despite being claimed by God for Jesus’ sake I act as if I’m a spiritual orphan. I relate with the apostle Paul when he writes, “I do the very thing I hate”. This is the condition of sin from which Jesus came to set us free.

Lord Jesus, I am in bondage to sin and cannot free myself. By your grace, have mercy on me. Purge me Lord. Renew me. Cleanse me from my unrighteousness that I may serve you well. For it is in your holy name I pray. Amen.