The secret atheist needs to repent

The wicked fool says in his heart, “There is no God.”
They act corruptly, they commit abominable deeds;
There is no one who does good.
Yahweh looks down from heaven upon the sons of men
To see if there is anyone who has insight,
Anyone who seeks after God.
They have all turned aside, altogether they have become worthless;
There is no one who does good, not even one.
Do all the workers of iniquity not know,
Who eat up my people as they eat bread,
And do not call upon Yahweh?
There they are in great dread,
For God is with the righteous generation.
You would put to shame the counsel of the afflicted,
But Yahweh is his refuge.
Oh, that the salvation of Israel would come out of Zion!
When Yahweh restores His captive people,
May Jacob rejoice, may Israel be glad.

Psalm 14

Introduction

This is a difficult Psalm to wrestle with. David seemingly contrasts two sets of people: the wicked against the righteous. But in doing so, he also exposes the fact that everyone resides in the first camp: “There is no one who does good, not even one.” If that is the case, then how can there even be a “righteous generation”? If everyone turns aside from God, then who is it who call out to Him?

Perhaps the Psalm does not merely contrast two opposing sides against one another, but instead demonstrates the path to righteousness through repentance. David recognizes that even in himself, there is unrighteousness that can only be dealt with by turning to God.

Before repentance, though, comes the sin. And since everyone has sinned, we need to recognize what we are doing when we are sinning.

Sinning is Atheism

In Romans 1, Paul lays out the state of the unbelieving heart. He says that every single person knows there is a God, and that God created them to be in a right relationship to Himself. But people will suppress this truth in unrighteousness and choose to worship created things rather than the Creator. Here, it is made clear that despite an outward denial of God, inwardly even the most unrighteous person is aware of Him. This makes them, “without excuse” on the day of judgment.

This Psalm reverses that paradigm. Regardless of someone’s outward claim of faith, sinning makes us into a “wicked fool.” When we sin, we are placing a bet: that God will not or even cannot punish us for it. Think back to some time you have sinned secretly, especially one against another person like stealing, vandalism, or gossip. If that person were standing there watching you, would you have committed that sin? Most likely, the answer is, “no.” That is because we naturally fear the consequences that would arise from such a brazen act. But since the person was absent, you felt either emboldened or apathetic about the sin. At least in the moment.

This is exactly what we are doing when we commit any sin. We are behaving as though God was not watching, since every sin is against Him. But if God is omniscient and sees everything, then to act as if He cannot see is to effectively act as an atheist. This is why we are called “wicked fools,” and in our hearts we say, “there is no God.” But thankfully, we have a kind and patient Father who offers us a path to restoration.

Will you call upon Yahweh?

The one who refuses to repent and remains fixed on his unrighteousness is described in this Psalm as one who does, “not call upon Yahweh.” And the only outcome for such a person is “great dread” where God will put them to shame and ultimately destroy them.

The Psalm goes on to explain that God is the refuge of the afflicted and the restoration of His captive people. At this point in Israel’s history, they were not made captive by anyone. So what could David mean here? Well, in John 8, beginning in verse 31, Jesus is teaching the people that, “If you abide in My word, then you are truly My disciples; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.” Those listening object, saying, “We are Abraham’s seed and have never yet been enslaved to anyone.” Then comes the bomb-shell: “Everyone who commits sin is the slave of sin.”

Since everyone sins, everyone is a slave of sin. And a slave must obey his master. The only way to enter into righteousness is to be freed from that slavemaster and return to the true Master who does not merely offer a different kind of slavery, but offers freedom and adoption as sons (Ephesians 1:5). And the only cost to this is calling upon the Name of the Lord.

In Romans 10, Paul quotes Joel 2:32, saying, “Everyone who calls upon the Name of Yahweh will be saved.” That is the same message given here in Psalm 14. Call upon Yahweh and He will restore you, His captive people. And do not forget: Jesus was given the Name above every name (Philippians 2:9). He is God, and the path to righteousness lies solely in Him. Call on the Name of Jesus and be set free from your sin. Remember God, and repent of your sin. He is faithful to forgive (1 John 1:9).

May the Lord bless you and conform you into the image of His Son.