Exodus 39; Psalm 53 “Fools and Fear”

 Read: Exodus 39; Psalm 53

Verses chosen for meditation: Psalm 53:2-3; 6

² God looks down from heaven on the children of man to see if there are any who understand, who seek after God. ³ They have all fallen away; together they have become corrupt; there is none who does good, not even one.

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.

    

REFLECT

Some studies concluded that this psalm is essentially a repetition of Psalm 14, with a few small modifications, probably intended to give faith and courage to Israel in the midst of a national challenge such as the threat of invasion or a siege.

The passage describes God is the One looking for person who seeks Him, those who are wise and worship Him (v 2). God concluded that there is none of such person, verses 1 and 3. God regarded such people as evildoers who continue with their iniquities and have no FEAR of God (v 4).

Fear can be said as a natural human response. It is not necessarily bad. Fear can be useful, for example the fear of God is good. Because those who have no fear of God tend to live in vile ways. Their lifestyles often get them into trouble. Worst of all, when calamities or misfortunes strike, they have no one to turn to. They can’t turn to upwards to the Divine because “there is no God”. Typically, they end up living barren and defiled lives, into their own immoral ways.

Bible teacher Ray Stedman once mentioned in his blog, “To fear God is a full-orbed truth. It means not only to respect God but also to acknowledge His presence in your life, not merely at the end of your life someday, but now. To fear God is to know that He sees all that you do and that it is His hand that sends circumstances into your life.”

In truth, we are the “fools” God is seeking. David has confidently declared this way in verse 6 that “salvation for Israel would come out of Zion”. David knew that God was a refuge for His people and that the workers of iniquity would never win. Yet that was hard to see at the present time, so David expressed his great longing that God would bring the victory and deliverance He had promised to His people. God shall save His people; God shall be on their side if they seek Him.

For those who fear Him, they know salvation and help will come from God. Though misfortunes may strike, but God will restore. No wonder God’s people rejoice and are glad regardless of their fearsome situations.

RELATE

While man may wish to forget about God, God never forget about man. He is always observing man, looking down from heaven upon the children of men. In fact, He is looking for those who desire to seek Him. Contrary, man and “fools” are so often self-righteous and too arrogant to admit their own limitations and come before the Divine One. Instead, they prefer to rely on themselves to go through life situations.

Unlike a “fool”, I am someone who actually “stumbled” into knowing God, with mere simplicity. I had no knowledge of who Jesus is and had no specific need to seek God back then. But I was invited to receive Him by faith after hearing a testimony. Thank You Lord, You have found me instead!

Question to ask, “Are you still rejecting God or do you treasure your salvation? Be assured, God has not and will not give up on anyone if we so desire to seek Him. It is all because of His grace.

REST

Lord, help me not be the “fool” who rejects You but instead experience Your grace. It is only through Your grace that I receive love instead of condemnation, and mercy instead of judgment. Amen.

Vincent Lee