Devouring People Like Bread

Psalm 14

This is another psalm by David and once again it takes the form of a lament. This time his lament is more commentary than prayer. He recognizes that in the sight of God there is no one who does what is good, that everyone has turned away and become corrupt. As usual, there is a contrast between the people of God and the "fools" who live as if God does not exist. The fools are opposed to the godly and are seeking to destroy them. The psalmist uses strong imagery: "They devour my people as though eating bread." However, the fools are overcome with dread since God is present with the godly. The implied claim is that ultimately the Lord will prevail. David ends with a longing for that time.
This fits very well into the teaching of the rest of Scripture. The teaching on the depravity of humanity is found everywhere, in Romans 3 for example, as is the teaching that God will ultimately prevail, especially in the Revelation of John. I don't live in a context where I have to cling to that hope very often. My life is pretty good and I don't face much in the way of opposition from people or even from Satan. I acknowledge that he is the tempter and I give into his enticements far too often but for the most part his opposition in my world takes the form of laying low and lulling people to sleep.
That is why the last line of v. 4 caught my attention: "they never call on the Lord." Unfortunately, this all too often describes my life. Because I don't face much opposition and because God has blessed me with abilities I can live much of my life as if I don't need God. I have a plethora of resources literally at my fingertips. The truth is that I don't really want God to put me in a situation where I am obviously and completely dependent on him because that scares me. I'd rather trust myself, which is absurd, isn't it?
David's trust, in this psalm, was utterly in God. God is the refuge of the godly, God is in the midst of the company of the righteous and it is God who will bring salvation from Zion and God who will bring joy and gladness to Jacob.