Psalm 53 - Dread

Psalm 53:1, 5 NIV

The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” 

They are corrupt, and their ways are vile; 

there is no one who does good. 

But there they are, overwhelmed with dread, 

where there was nothing to dread. 

God scattered the bones of those who attacked you; 

you put them to shame, for God despised them.

Psalm 53 is nearly exactly the same as Psalm 14. Verse five is different. Whereas Psalm 14 speaks of the unbeliever's dread in relationship to God's presence among His people, Psalm 53 mentions God destroying them.

I'm especially captivated by these words.

Psalm 53:5 NIV

But there they are, overwhelmed with dread, where there was nothing to dread.

This is saying something about the human condition when we live estranged from God. Unbelief causes this inner dread, but unconfessed sin and disobedience to God's will causes this too.

When my wife leaves town for the week I feel the separation anxiety. I begin to feel the dread hours before she packs to go. In the same way when we sense a distance between us and God, it causes some level of emotional distress.

This is actually a good thing. This existence points to the reality of God. It's what the apostle Paul called the wrath of God upon the sons of disobedience. (Colossians 3:6)

I spoke to an agnostic yesterday. The theological position on the existence and nature of God is, "I don't know." The atheist says in his heart, "There is no God." The rest of us who believe, and that majority shrinks with each generation here in America, need to realize we are no better. It is only through Christ Jesus that this dread is replaced with inner joy. It is only through faith in the good news that our estrangement from God is ended.

Ephesians 2:3-5 NIV

All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath. But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.

The next time you feel dread within perhaps you've drifted away from God. Perhaps your choices and your leisure distractions are building a wall between you and the Love that saves. Come home to your Father's house. He'll help you tear it down.