“Fools say in their hearts, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds; there is no one who does good. The Lord looks down from heaven on humankind to see if there are any who are wise, who seek after God. They have all gone astray, they are all alike perverse; there is no one who does good, no, not one. Have they no knowledge, all the evildoers who eat up my people as they eat bread, and do not call upon the Lord? There they shall be in great terror, for God is with the company of the righteous. You would confound the plans of the poor, but the Lord is their refuge. O that deliverance for Israel would come from Zion! When the Lord restores the fortunes of his people, Jacob will rejoice; Israel will be glad.” Psalm 14

“The 14th psalm is a psalm of prophecy and instruction that teaches us that human doctrine and a life without faith is nothing but an abomination before God. If such is worship, it is only belly worship by which the ungodly fatten themselves, devouring the good of the people. They do not know or understand anything of the true worship of God, though they teach and praise the Law of God. Moreover, they profane and blaspheme God’s Word whenever it rebukes them at all. They will listen to nothing about trust or faith in God. These people must be resisted by prayer. This prayer shall be heard, as the last verse says, and the Gospel of Christ shall come. Thus this psalm reproves especially those who tormented the people with the Law. When it speaks of the help for Zion, it is promising or prophesying of the coming of Christ, for the Gospel and the Spirit have come from Zion. This psalm belongs to the First and the Third Commandments because it praises God’s Word, promises Christ, and also reproves the hypocrites and devouring teachers or belly-teachers. It is in the First and Second Petitions, in which we pray for His name and His kingdom.” (Martin Luther, Reading the Psalms with Luther)

Foolishness in the Bible can be considered sinful. The fool’s problem is not with his brain but his heart. The fool is capable of grasping higher things, but the fool does not possess real fear. This results in what many call “practical atheism.” Practical atheism is a recognition of the presence of a higher power, but no belief that it really matters. All this produces is a dualism that must be addressed, somehow — there is a creator but this creator is too removed to care. G-d says such a person is a fool.

Any of us can fall into this state of foolishness — living in fear that there might be a G-d, but not allowing that fear to change us. And as the recognition of the presence of G-d continues to pervade our reality — more fear creeps inside our very being. Perhaps this is why we should spend more time in prayer, and in the presence of the righteous. The more we hear and experience the Grace of G-d through the presence of Jesus, in his word and in the sacraments, the more we lose the fear — and allow the Holy Spirit to build faith in our lives.

PRAYER

Lord, from Your throne on high look with a pitying eye upon us poor, sinful mortals. Preserve us, that we not be led astray by infidelity or superstition, and grant us simplicity of faith to receive the Gospel of Your Son, who has the words of eternal life, that in Him we may be Yours in time and eternity. Amen.

“How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? How long must I bear pain[a] in my soul, and have sorrow in my heart all day long? How long shall my enemy be exalted over me? Consider and answer me, O Lord my God! Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep the sleep of death, and my enemy will say, “I have prevailed”; my foes will rejoice because I am shaken. But I trusted in your steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in your salvation. I will sing to the Lord, because he has dealt bountifully with me.” Psalm 13

“The 13th psalm is a psalm of prayer against the sorrow or sadness of the spirit that comes at times from the devil himself, or at times from those who act against us with spite and evil tricks. As a result, we are cast down and grieve when we see such evil aligned against us. But prayer is stronger than all misfortune. This psalm gives us an example by which we certainly may be comforted and learn in every kind of calamity not to become anxious or downcast, nor let these troubles eat at our hearts. Instead, we learn to turn to prayer, crying to God about all of these things. We know that we will be heard and finally be delivered, as James 5:13 also says: “Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray.” This psalm belongs in the Second Commandment and the First and Last Petitions, that we may be delivered from evil.” (Martin Luther, Reading the Psalms with Luther)

“How long Lord — How long?” This is more of an idiomatic expression used in the scriptures — because we trust that the Lord knows all — and we trust that the Lord has a timeline in mind. We, however, will never know G-d fully enough to have any idea of when — we just trust that it will be done. Amen.

The protection, refuge, and safety the writer once experienced in his life seems to have vanished. But even though he asks “How long”, his trust betrays his lament. The writer knows that all will be accomplished — but when, where, how and through whom often leaves us wanting.

This is a common feeling that most experience. When things go wrong or trouble comes, many times we say the very words, “Where is G-d?” What happened to the Lord watching over us? Why is G-d hiding G-d’s face? How long, Lord? No matter how long, we trust in your deliverance.

PRAYER

Lord Jesus, who by Your incarnation was a Man of Sorrows and acquainted with grief, graciously remember us who are yet walking in this vale of tears and who must enter Your kingdom through many tribulations. As You have promised to be with Your own and to support them to the end, grant us Your Holy Spirit, the Spirit of joy and of peace, to comfort our hearts and the hearts of all Your afflicted Christians with Your everlasting comfort. Amen.