Psalm 14: All fall short

A conversation with Paul, who quotes Psalm 14 in Romans 3
A prayer of Confession


Fools say to themselves, “There is no God.”
“There’s no one to hold us accountable. We can do what we like!
Stuff old fashioned morals, we’ll do what we like!”
So they rip off the poor, devour human dignity like eating bread.

It’s easy to see corruption and perversion in others
If only we were as willing to see it in ourselves.

Paul rips through our self-righteousness:
“No one is right with God, not even one.
All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”
You and I and the worst offender are equally in need of saving.

The Lord sees all of us, looking for faith, humility, goodness.
He doesn’t find it here.
We can only cry - “Lord, save us from ourselves.”

What of boasting? Not a chance! What of keeping the rules? No! Good works? Definitely not!
One thing and one thing alone sets us right with God,
the sacrifice Jesus made for us, the gift freely given of himself.

O that deliverance for Israel would come from Zion!
Then Jacob will rejoice, Israel will be overjoyed!

(Romans 3:22-28)

​Psalm 14: “There is no God”
 
“There is no God!” everyone says.
“I can do what I like!” everyone thinks.
“Who cares about God?” everyone asks.
“I’m here for me, I don’t answer to anyone!”
God looks for faith, will he find it anywhere?
God looks for care for the poor.
God looks for love, will he find it in me?