Scripture for Today:  Psalm 14:1 “The fool has said in his heart, ‘There is no God.’  They are corrupt, they have committed abominable deeds; There is no one who does good.”

There are days I need one of these jesters to make me laugh!  In times past royalty had the luxury of having a court jester always available for just that purpose.  In medieval times the court jester, also called a “fool,” would wear brightly colored clothes and bizarre hats in a motley pattern.  His job was simply to entertain.  His was a privileged position in the court as he could mock and revile without penalty.

Today’s verse describes a different sort of fool; the one that in his heart says that there is no God.  This fool might even mock God.  But for him, there is a penalty that awaits.  God says He will not be mocked (Galatians 6:7).  Today’s verse is repeated almost word for word in Psalm 53:1.  Descriptions of a fool are found throughout Scripture, especially in Proverbs.  But this description is one that surprises!  His foolishness is not so obvious at first glance.  The foolishness is within his heart.

Fools not believing in God are perhaps lauded for their intellect and sophistication.  They may appear modern and reasonable.  Their lives may exude success.  They may even be the darlings of the media.  But their behavior manifests what is in their hearts.  Without God, they are enslaved in their sin.  Their eventual end reveals their foolishness in rejecting God.  This is a strong message and not a popular one.  But it is the “bad news” that the “Good News” addresses!  We were all fools before bowing our knee to our Mighty God.

Thank you, Lord, for Your grace that transformed this fool into someone wise!

(Look familiar?  This is a summer re-post due to ministry schedule.)