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"God looks down from heaven on the children of man to see if there are any who understand, who seek after God."

~ Psalm 53:2

 

God's Word is fitting and proper for any and all times and this psalm seems especially pertinent considering our current place in Genesis 6 from our sermon series on Origins.  Psalm 53 is nearly the mirror images of Psalm 14 (and so this blog post is a near mirror image of the Ps. 14 reflection).  There are further connections to Psalm 10:4, Romans 3:10-12 and many of the Proverbs.  I would encourage you to compare these psalms (53 and 14) in parallel to one another and explore the other references I mentioned as well. 

These psalms (53/14) make clear the truth of universal human sinfulness and of individual total depravity.  There are “none who do good.” (v.1c,3b)…all “are corrupt” (v.1b,3a)…all “doing abominable iniquity” (v.1b)…“those who work evil” (v.4a)…none have understanding (v.2b) or knowledge (v.4a)…none who “seek after God” (v.2b) or “call upon God” (v.4b).  The repeated use (or implication) of “all” and “none” makes inclusion inescapable for me and you and all people of all time. (See also Genesis 6:5,11-12)   Our hearts are desperately sick (Jeremiah 17:9) and in need of rescue and redemption.

So clear and certain is this truth (universal sinfulness and total depravity) that verse 3 is quoted by the Apostle Paul in Romans chapter 3.  This is a chapter on righteous within Paul’s great discourse and explication of the gospel.  Were it not for the grace of God to bestow his favor on any one of us, there would be no righteousness to be found among mankind (Gen. 6:8)

In the final verse of this psalm (v.6), David makes a plea for salvation to come.  Not a cry as in wishing that something would happen differently nor for something that will not/could not happen; but instead, a cry desperate that what he had full certainty would happen, would happen NOW.  David knew the promises of God for a Savior yet to come.  He trusted in God’s promise fully, banking his entire life upon it.

We know that salvation has indeed come out of Zion in the person and work of Jesus Christ, and not just for Jacob/Israel, but for all the world.  God’s grace is universally available through faith in his provision.  We too should fully trust in God’s promise and provision, banking our entire life upon it.