May 13, 2009
the Simple truth
Psalm 53
Jordan Bryan
Central Truth
A proper perspective of God is essential to a right relationship with Him.
Key Verse | Psalm 53:2–3
God looks down from heaven at the human race,
to see if there is anyone who is wise and seeks God.
Everyone rejects God;
they are all morally corrupt.
None of them does what is right,
not even one!
(Psalm 53:2-3)
Psalm 53
There Is None Who Does Good
To the choirmaster: according to Mahalath. A Maskil 1 53:1 Probably musical or liturgical terms of David.
1
The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.”
They are corrupt, doing abominable iniquity;
there is none who does good.
2
God looks down from heaven
on the children of man
to see if there are any who understand,
2
53:2
Or who act wisely
who seek after God.
3
They have all fallen away;
together they have become corrupt;
there is none who does good,
not even one.
4
Have those who work evil no knowledge,
who eat up my people as they eat bread,
and do not call upon God?
5
There they are, in great terror,
where there is no terror!
For God scatters the bones of him who encamps against you;
you put them to shame, for God has rejected them.
6
Oh, that salvation for Israel would come out of Zion!
When God restores the fortunes of his people,
let Jacob rejoice, let Israel be glad.
Dive Deeper | Psalm 53
I often find it very encouraging when God brings me back to the simple truths that He has revealed to me time and time again. He revealed one of these simple truths to me while reading Psalm 53. I was looking for an amazing "nugget" with which I could wow and impress you—imagining the emails and phone calls I would receive from people praising the great devotional I wrote. My words were going to be so powerful that lives would be changed. I probably would have titled the devotional "Look How Awesome I Am." You see, I am a believer who struggles with seeking the applause of men.
Fortunately, in my ignorance, God met me with His never failing truth. He began putting things in their proper perspective as I read, "None of them does what is right, not even one!" The simple truth that God revealed to me is that there is nothing good about this world apart from Him. I am a broken person, and I live in a fallen world full of broken people.
God is good; we are not. He can; we can't. He is eternal; our lives are a vapor. He has everything; we have nothing. This understanding is essential to the Christian life. We must have a proper perspective of God.
John 15:5 says it this way: "I am the vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in me—and I in him—bears much fruit, because apart from me you can accomplish nothing."
God, I pray that You consume me today. If I am the ruler of my life, I know that it will lead to destruction. Take control of my attitude, my thoughts, my words, and my actions. I simply want to rest in You and allow You to bear the fruit. Amen.
Discussion Questions
1. How often do you simply sit in awe of God?
2. What are some simple truths that you neglect?
3. What areas of your life are you trying to control because you think you know better than God?