By Teman Knight
Adjunct Professor of Old Testament and Hebrew, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary
PURPOSE ABANDONED
Psalm 8:1–6, 14:1–7
God created us to glorify and worship Him. This is the chief purpose of people and is far greater than any purpose we might devise for ourselves. However, our sin keeps us from living out that great purpose. Ever since Adam and Eve sinned in the garden, we have set ourselves up to play God and determine for ourselves what is good and what is evil. We follow our own selfish desires and go our own way instead of submitting to God’s will and plan for our lives.
We were created to bring God praise and glory. (8:1–6)
The psalmist is amazed that in the splendor of God’s creation, He chose humanity to be the crowning point. People were created in God’s image with God personally forming man out of the dust of the ground and breathing life into him. However, we know that man failed to live up to this and fell into sin. The Hebrew words reflect this idea in their description of man. “Enosh” means “weak man,” and “atham” indicates “man of the ground.” Man is simply a lump of clay that God formed and gave life. Yet even with all of man’s frailties and shortcomings, God amazingly remembers us and looks after us.
Human beings have two responsibilities identified in this passage. The first responsibility is to praise and glorify God. We are to join all creation in making His name great in all the earth. The second task identified here is to rule over creation and use it to glorify Him. This task was also given to man in the creation account found in Genesis. Humanity’s place in creation and the tasks we have been given are special, but our own weaknesses will lead us to fall short of God’s purpose.
We have turned away from God and His purpose for us. (14:1–3)
The arrogance of a foolish man is demonstrated by both his beliefs and his actions. He denies the very existence of God, failing to recognize the Creator and all that He deserves. Many may not even vocalize their denial of the existence of God but will demonstrate this belief by living as though God is not real. The Hebrew word for fool is “nabal,” which means “to wilt or fail.” To deny God is the shameless act of someone who has failed to meet God’s intended purpose.
A fool is a person without any sense of moral values or social obligation. “They are corrupt; they do vile deeds” (v. 1). The psalmist is clear that we have all come up short. We have turned away from God’s plan to instead follow our own desires. If we fail to seek God and fulfill His purpose, the consequences are dire.
When we turn to God as our refuge, He restores us. (4–7)
Those who fail to seek God or call on the Lord will be filled with dread. They will face the overwhelming consequences of their foolishness, which the Bible clearly teaches us is death and hell. However, hope still exists. God offers restoration and refuge for those who turn back to Him. When we turn to God through His Son, Jesus Christ, we will find refuge from our sins in His forgiveness. Our broken relationship with God will be restored. Then we can join God’s people and celebrate our deliverance. So let us rejoice and be glad because of God’s salvation and live our lives with purpose.
Share with others: