2006-02-19 - Psalm 14, Conclusion

Psalm 14, Part 5

It is insane to strive to live in this world without the reality of God in one's life. Certainly to come up against giants, that is circumstances, on one's own will simply mean being crushed flat. This is an insane world, and the most insane is the one who denies the existence of God.

As I noted to the individual as he sat in jail, to trying to survive in there without God would be crazy. He had absolutely no control over his external situation. But he could be free internally, if he allowed the Lord to work in his life, to bring something positive out of the negative. Otherwise he might as well give up.

So what about us? Obviously we not only believe in God, but we have accepted his gift of salvation. What then does the issue of atheism have to do with us, other than make us aware of some specific witnessing problems? Well, I'm afraid we too sometimes face the problem of practical atheism. We can become so caught up with the day-to-day, that God finds no real place in our thoughts, that is until we're up against the wall.

Isn't it crazy to try to live in this world on our own, when the Lord wants to live through us? In the final analysis, which is worse? Rejecting the actuality of God, or simply living as if He doesn't matter? By living as practical atheists, we not only undermine our witness, for those who observe us can see no difference between us and them - but we cut ourselves off from Him whom we need in order to function on a day-to-day basis.

Consider the Family: How can you deal with your children and be a godly parent, unless God is part of the process? And think of the many single parents. They don't really have to be on their own, if they remember the Lord is there with them. How can we grow in our marriages and be the godly spouses God desires us to be, unless we remember to include Him, the One who instituted marriage in the first place?

Consider the Workplace: How can we possibly deal with crazy jobs, bosses, and environments, to be godly employees - without the One who empowers us? As they say "there are no atheists in foxholes," but we certainly seem to act like atheists in the midst of the war of the work place.

Practical atheism creates a practical mess. Not only will we fail to live as God desires us to, but we will allow ourselves to become overwhelmed by life, to lose the joy that comes from dependency on the Lord, from accepting our direction from Him. But when we choose to live as the believers we are, we will truly be able to say:

"I delight greatly in the Lord; my soul rejoices in my God. For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels" (Isaiah 61:10).

So let us be aware of the danger of practical atheism. Let the Lord be an integral part of our life, day-by-day, moment-by-moment; then we will be filled with joy, living in trust in Him.

I am trusting Thee to guide me.
I am trusting Thee for power.
Thou alone shalt lead, Thine can never fail;
Ev're day and hour supplying Words
Which Thou Thyself shalt give me
All my need. Must prevail.
I am trusting Thee, Lord Jesus
Never let me fall;
I am trusting Thee forever,
And for all. ³

³ "I Am Trusting Thee, Lord Jesus," Text by Frances Ridley Havergal, Music by Ethelbert W. Bullinger.

Comments or Questions?
Geoff

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