Sons of men

Psalm 14:2–3 (NASB 95)

      2 The LORD has looked down from heaven upon the sons of men

      To see if there are any who understand,

      Who seek after God.

      3 They have all turned aside, together they have become corrupt;

      There is no one who does good, not even one.

Examine / Explain

A lament of David of man’s wickedness and the salvation in God.

How do I apply this to my life?

Sons of men versus the sons of God. A son of man doesn’t seek after God. He will prey on those around him. They do not seek help from the Lord. The world’s weight is on their shoulders, and they can’t breathe. They lack wisdom and can find no peace or shelter. So a son of God must be the antithesis of a son of man. He seeks after God; he will pray with those around him to lift them up. He knows that he cannot make it on his own and must have the help of the Lord to get through the day.  He can feel light as a feather because he has joy and hope for the things to come. He seeks wise counsel. He will find peace and shelter in the shadow of the God almighty. So, where do I fall in the description of these two men? Where do I find peace? Do I find peace? When I lack wisdom, where do I turn? My own understanding? Seems foolish. How do I treat my neighbors? Do I rip them apart and eat them like bread? I know I do sometimes. Those whom I disagree with. Those whom I want to be right with. The situations that make me uncomfortable are their fault, right? Wrong. My flesh will turn on those and the things around me that make me uncomfortable because I don’t feel in charge or in control. Am I God? My flesh wants to be. But I must surrender and submit to God’s will. I seek Him instead of trying to be Him. A son looks to his father, for help and guidance. A son knows that he is a son. There is no doubt in his mind of the Father’s love. Why do I struggle with doubt? Why do I feel uncertain about my place? Do I not believe it? Or is it that I don’t understand His love? Where is my model? In Jesus.

What is my response?

Father, I am a son of God. Even though there are times I behave as a son of man, I know my hope and salvation is in You! Help me understand my place. Help me seek Your wisdom. I want to be a man lifting others up instead of tearing them down. I want to rest my Lord. I want to be who you called me to be. I’m tired of trying to do so I can be seen. I’m tired of looking for acceptance of what I can accomplish. I want to deeply understand what it means to be a son of the living God. Can I handle the sacrifice that it is going to take? Is that my problem? I still have idols between us, so I can never actually understand what it means to be something because I’m trying to appease idols. I’m still working for salvation or acceptance because I can’t see past my guilt and shame. I can’t accept the fathers love because I still believe I am unlovable. I am tired of living in this state. CHANGE ME! I surrender it all to You. I must die daily to Your will and believe I am loved. Amen.