Sarah Patton invites us to pray this week…
Psalm 14 depicts a dark time of corruption and evil. The psalmist cries out that all have turned away from God; no one does good, not a single one. The psalmist describes a dismal condition of the human race.
Praying with Psalm 14 in community, many emotions arose as we wrestled with this bleak picture.
“The psalmist is condemning everyone, especially anyone struggling to believe.”
“The psalmist sounds like one of Job’s friends.”
“Is there really not anyone seeking God?”
What rises up in you as you read the hard words of this psalm? Pause and wait. Notice how you feel it in your physical body and for what you sense in your inner being. Let yourself be with what comes, knowing that God is with you.
The longing to find hope emerged in our meditations. Searching the psalm, evidence of God’s love surfaced. One listener savored the picture of God looking down in love. Another rested in knowing she is safe at home with God. Another held on to the hope of God restoring his people, pondering how that might happen in seemingly hopeless situations, yet clinging to the promise.
Linger again with the psalm. Notice any stirrings of hope you might feel. Savor any words of comfort. Maybe you are still struggling with the hard words and longing to find hope. Be with whatever comes, offering it to God. Rest in the safety of being with God, loved, accepted, and welcomed just as you are.
Psalm 14 NRSV
Only fools say in their hearts,
“There is no God.”
They are corrupt, and their actions are evil;
not one of them does good!
The Lord looks down from heaven
on the entire human race;
he looks to see if anyone is truly wise,
if anyone seeks God.
But no, all have turned away;
all have become corrupt.
No one does good,
not a single one!
Will those who do evil never learn?
They eat up my people like bread
and wouldn’t think of praying to the Lord.
Terror will grip them,
for God is with those who obey him.
The wicked frustrate the plans of the oppressed,
but the Lord will protect his people.
Who will come from Mount Zion to rescue Israel?
When the Lord restores his people,
Jacob will shout with joy, and Israel will rejoice.
For Reflection and Prayer:
Was there a word, phrase or image which caught your attention you as you listened to or slowly read the text? Quietly reflect on this with Jesus.
Notice any felt sense that seems to emerge as you linger with this passage. It might come as a bodily feeling, emotion, metaphor, picture, gesture or sound. See if you can describe it and simply be with it with patient curiosity. Be open to whatever more might emerge.
Perhaps you might want to draw, color or journal your conversation.
As the time of prayer comes to a close, share some quiet moments with Jesus, simply resting safely in his presence.
Psalm 14 (TPT)
Only the withering soul would say to himself,
“There is no God.”
Anyone who thinks like this is corrupt and callous,
devoid of what is good.
Yahweh looks down in love,
looking over all of Adam’s sons and daughters.
He’s looking to see if there is anyone who acts wisely,
any who are searching for God and wanting to please him.
But everyone has wandered astray,
walking stubbornly toward evil.
Not one is good; he can’t even find one.
They live in luxury while exploiting my people!
Won’t these workers of wickedness ever learn?
They don’t ever think of praying to God.
Overwhelmed with Dread
But look at them now, in panic, trembling with terror.
For God is on the side of his godly lovers.
Yahweh is always the safest place for the poor
when the workers of wickedness oppress them.
How I wish that Israel’s rescue
would arise from the midst of Zion!
When Yahweh restores his people,
Jacob’s joy will break forth
and Israel will be glad!
