Plan for: Thanksgiving | Advent | Christmas
Explore the folly of doubting God, the certainty of trusting in Him, and the wisdom of seeking Him, as illustrated in Psalm 14.
Good morning, beloved. Today we're going to be diving into the depths of Psalm 14, a passage that teaches us about the folly of doubting God, the certainty of trusting in Him, and the wisdom of seeking Him.
C.S. Lewis once wrote, "I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen: not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else." This encapsulates the essence of our topic today - that our faith in God can and should be as certain as the sun's daily rise.
Let's take a moment to read Psalm 14:
"The fool says in his heart, 'There is no God.' They are corrupt, their deeds are vile; there is no one who does good. The Lord looks down from heaven on all mankind to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God. All have turned away, all have become corrupt; there is no one who does good, not even one. Do all these evildoers know nothing? They devour my people as though eating bread; they never call on the Lord. But there they are, overwhelmed with dread, for God is present in the company of the righteous. You evildoers frustrate the plans of the poor, but the Lord is their refuge."
Let's bow our heads in prayer.
The concept of the folly of doubting God is introduced in the very first verse of Psalm 14, where it is written, "The fool says in his heart, 'There is no God.'" This verse speaks to the foolishness of denying God's existence, a sentiment that is echoed throughout the Bible.
Not just about denying God's existence: It’s also about doubting His power, His love, and His promises. When we doubt God, we are essentially saying that we know better, that we can handle things on our own, that we don't need Him. This is a dangerous and misguided mindset. It leads us away from the path of righteousness and into a life of sin and corruption, as described in Psalm 14.
The consequences that come with it: The psalmist writes, "They are corrupt, their deeds are vile; there is no one who does good." When we doubt God, we open the door to corruption and wickedness. We lose our moral compass, and our actions reflect this loss. We become self-centered, seeking only our own pleasure and satisfaction, without regard for others.
Robs us of the peace and joy that come from trusting in Him: When we doubt God, we are filled with fear and anxiety. We worry about the future, we stress over our problems, and we feel overwhelmed by the challenges of life. But when we trust in God, we have peace. We know that He is in control, that He loves us, and that He will never leave us nor forsake us.
Hinders our spiritual growth: When we doubt God, we are not open to His teachings, His guidance, and His correction. We are not receptive to the Holy Spirit. We are not able to grow in faith, in love, and in righteousness. But when we trust in God, we are like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither.
The missed opportunities for blessing and fulfillment: When we doubt God, we miss out on the blessings that come from obedience, from faithfulness, and from a close relationship with Him. We miss out on the joy of serving others, the satisfaction of living a life of purpose, and the fulfillment of knowing that we are loved and valued by our Creator.
Pastor, here would be a good place to share a personal story about the folly of doubting God.
The certainty of trusting in God is a concept that is deeply embedded in the scriptures and is a recurring theme throughout the Bible ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO