2006-01-22 - All Men Will Hate You

Psalm 14, Part 3

Verse 3: David seems overwhelmed, as he perceives God looking down, searching any who are seeking Him. There are none to be found. This is a poetic generalization, but nevertheless it reflects the state of a humanity who are in total rebellion against God. And this state of rebellion is true of all, not just the atheist.

Keep in mind David isn't speaking just of the world in general; he is also talking of those who have claimed the name of God, but whose lives reflect a different reality. Dr. Vernon McGee notes that Paul quotes this verse in Romans 3:12 to make it clear that this is the condition of all human kind, even us at one time. ²

"All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one." It is for this reason that all need Christ.

Verse 4: But instead of seeking God, the wicked attack the righteous. They manifest a hatred against those who follow the Lord. And so they strive to bring destruction upon the righteous. Remember, Jesus said to us:

"All men will hate you because of me, …" (Matthew 10:22).

It seems the anger and venom of the atheist against the believer comes from an innate knowledge that not only does God exist, but one day they will stand before Him condemned. The atheist has become his own god, and therefore bought in to the very first lie. He doesn't intend to share the authority of his life with anyone. And as a result, his anger is fierce against anything or anyone who will expose his insanity for what it is.

To be continued.

Comments or Questions?
Pastor Geoff

GKragen@cfdevotionals.org
http://www.cfdevotionals.org

² McGee, J. Vernon, Thru the Bible with J. Vernon McGee, Vol. 2, Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1982, p. 691