Psalm 53 - "No, Not One"

Psalm 53 is almost a verbatim repeat of Psalm 14. When God repeats something in Scripture, it is for a reason, and it should definitely get our attention. Even in this chapter we find several phrases or words repeated. “They are corrupt” in both verses 3 and 5. “There is none who does good”, also in verses 1 and 3. Remember when we looked at the previous Psalm 52, we talked about how God is good all the time. “Why do you boast in evil, O mighty man? The goodness of God endures continually” (Psalm 52:1). But here in Psalm 53, we are told that “man is corrupt, does not seek God, and cannot do good”. “No, not one.” Because of the corruption of our hearts, we live as if there was no God. We become a slave to sin and in bondage to Satan and the world. We live in constant fear and instead of running to God, we hide and run from Him. Isaiah said it this way in Isaiah 53:3 & 6: “He is despised and rejected by men, A Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. And we hid, as it were, our faces from Him; He was despised, and we did not esteem Him…. All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, everyone, to his own way; And the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.” We live in a time and a culture that denies and rejects the God of the Bible.  As a result of their corruption and wickedness, they even deny His existence, and they hate and despise those who do believe. “They eat up my people as they eat bread, and do not call upon God…” (v. 4).  Because the righteousness of Godly believers, who love and live for Jesus, is a condemnation to their ungodly and evil ways, they do not want them around. It is no wonder that Christians have always been persecuted. They hated and killed the most perfect Person Who ever lived, Jesus Christ. And they hate and persecute those who follow Jesus. This is the spirit of the Antichrist that is prevailing today in America! They are living a lie! A life that is empty and vain with no real meaning.  1 John 2:22 tells us the mark of the Antichrist: "Who is a liar but he that denies that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denies the Father and the Son." Atheism is a characteristic of Antichrist. In the last days the forces of atheism will be headed up in him. Of him Paul wrote: "Who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sits in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God" (2Thess. 2:4). This psalm ends with an expression of longing on the part of the believing remnant. Oh, that the salvation of Israel would come out of Zion! When God brings back the captivity of His people, Let Jacob rejoice and Israel be glad” (v. 6). Just like Jesus Christ is going to save Israel from the captivity of Antichrist at the end of the Tribulation, we can be delivered from the bondage of sin and Satan by the death and blood of Jesus today! Hebrews 2:14-15 assures us: “Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. Salvation for all has come out of Zion! Jesus Christ will give hope and eternal life who anyone who repents and by faith receives Him. Today if we trust Him, we can “rejoice and be glad” (v. 6). God bless!