Folly, Triumph, Character, Hope

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: Psalm 14-16

 

Psalm 16:11

You will show me the path of life;
In Your presence is fullness of joy;
At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

(NKJV)

 

A fallen world in chaos seeks answers and often turns to the foolishness of ungodly sources. This teaching lacks character and comes from corrupt people, as listed in 1 Corinthians 6:9-10. Instead of seeking answers from these sources, we must seek answers from the Word of God, which is truth (1 Thessalonians 2:13; 2 Timothy 2:15). This is our hope, a hope in the triumphant Lord Jesus Christ.

 

The main theme of Psalm 14 is the folly of the Godless and God’s final triumph. David begins the psalm by saying a fool says in his heart there is no God, saying they are corrupt, do abominable works with none of them doing good (Psalm 14:1). The Lord looks down from heaven to determine if any understand and seek God, but sees they have all turned aside, become corrupt and not a single one of them does good (Psalm 14:2-3). David wonders if those working iniquity, those who devour God’s people like food, have any knowledge and do not call on the Lord (Psalm 14:4). These workers of iniquity are in great fear because God is in the generation of the righteous (Psalm 14:5). These workers of iniquity shame the counsel of the poor but the Lord is their refuge (Psalm 14:6). David concludes the psalm declaring that salvation will come out of Zion when the Lord brings back the captives. Then Jacob will rejoice and Israel will be glad (Psalm 14:7).

 

Psalm 15 tells of the character of those dwelling in the Lord, beginning with the question of who may abide in the Tabernacle of the Lord and who may dwell in His holy hill (Psalm 15:1). The answer is one walking uprightly, working righteousness who speaks truth in his heart (Psalm 15:2). His character does not backbite with his tongue, do evil to his neighbor or take up a reproach against his friend (Psalm 15:3). His character despises a vile person, honors those fearing the Lord, swearing to his own hurt, and never changing (Psalm 15:4). This person also does not loan out money with interest or take bribes against the innocent. One who does these things will not be moved (Psalm 15:5).

 

In Psalm 16, David speaks of the hope of the faithful and the Messiah’s victory. David begins the psalm by asking the Lord to preserve him because he trusts in the Lord, his Lord, the source of goodness in his life (Psalm 16:1-2). David then praises the saints on the earth, the excellent ones in whom he delights (Psalm 16:3). The drink offerings of those placing their hope in another god will not be offered nor will their names be on David’s lips (Psalm 16:4). David finds his inheritance in the Lord his portion who has caused him to be in pleasant places, a good inheritance (Psalm 16:5-6).

 

David blesses the Lord, his source of good counsel, instructing in the night seasons of his life (Psalm 16:7). David sets the Lord before him at all times because He is his right hand, and David will not be moved (Psalm 16:8). David’s heart is glad, his glory rejoices, and his flesh rests in his hope in the Lord (Psalm 16:9). God will not leave David’s soul in Sheol and will not allow His Holy One, Jesus, to see corruption because He will rise from the grave (Psalm 16:10). Walking with the Lord is the path of life, in His presence is fullness of joy, and at His right hand are pleasures forevermore (Psalm 16:11). The Lord is triumphant, bringing hope to the faithful.

 

Psalms 14-16 are psalms of David, with Psalm 14 pointing out the folly of the Godless and God’s final triumph. He begins by pointing out that one is a fool who says in His heart there is no God, with the Lord looking down from heaven on the children of men and finding not one who does good. God is for the righteous, with the workers of iniquity having no knowledge. The Lord is triumphant with the Lord delivering them from their captivity so they can rejoice and be glad.

 

In Psalm 15, David states the qualifications for one abiding with the Lord. The requirements are to love the Lord and your neighbor just as the Lord stated in Luke 10:25-28. This is a solid foundation of character that shall never move from abiding in the Lord.

 

In Psalm 16, David states the hope of the faithful and the Messiah's victory. David asks the Lord to preserve him because he places his trust in the Lord. The Lord is his hope, and he knows the Lord will triumph with God not leaving His Holy One, the Lord Jesus Christ, in Sheol to see corruption (Matthew 28:6). In the triumphant Messiah, David finds the path of life, fullness of joy, and pleasures forevermore.

 

As children of God we must avoid foolishness and deceptive teaching that does not align with the Word of God because God is triumphant (1 Corinthians 6:9-10; Romans 5:1). Unfortunately, we live in an age when the teaching from many pulpits is designed to tickle the itching ears of those listening, making them feel good with little or no pointing them to Jesus Christ for salvation from their sins (2 Timothy 4:3-4). The Church of Laodicea was deceived, trusting in their wealth and prosperity to take care of them with no dependence on the Lord (Revelation 3:14-17). Sadly, this Church has locked the Lord out with Him outside knocking on the door to come back in (Revelation 3:20). Please join me in repenting of felling for deception and pray for a return to truth and dependence on God so revival can come to the Church with the Church turning its world upside down like the early church (Acts 17:6).

 

If you are reading this and have never prayed to accept Jesus as your savior, finding hope in the triumphant Messiah, I encourage you to pray with me now.

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

May the Lord challenge, convict, and empower everyone reading this post.