"The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God" (Psalm 14:1); or rather, "No God"; in other words, it is not want of understanding, but moral corruption, the state of the affections, that leads to atheism. The impenitent sinner desires that there should be no God to bring him into judgment, and thus seeks to persuade himself that there is none. He "that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved" (margin, discovered). He loves darkness rather than light, because his deeds are evil. And hence Psalm 14 goes on to describe the moral condition of the man who has succeeded in persuading himself that there is "no God." "They are corrupt, they have done abominable works." I have been led to these reflections by a remarkable incident.
A Christian woman in conversation with an atheist said, "You will find infidelity a rotten plank some day."
This man had accosted her in very offensive language interlarded with oaths and curses. He had formerly been a religious professor, and was well acquainted with the "letter" of Scripture. The woman whom he had addressed, having seriously expostulated with him on his profanity, added a solemn reference to the name of God. He replied, first by a denial of His existence, and then with an impious challenge to his Creator to prove His existence by "smashing him to pieces." These words were deliberately repeated, and in louder tones, as the woman whom he addressed fled in terror from his presence, while the blasphemer called upon her to take his message to "her God."
On the very next morning, which was Sunday, this wicked man was with some of his infidel companions, on his way to a neighboring town, in his usual health and spirits, when he suddenly fell to the ground with a shriek. The poor stricken blasphemer was carried home and, on reaching there, immediately requested that an evangelical clergyman, whom he had formerly known, might be sent for. On the arrival of the minister, his first words were, "O there is a God—there is a God—the Lord be merciful to me a sinner." The Christian minister spoke to him of the grace of the Lord Jesus, and before he left his bedside the poor penitent found peace. The passages of Scripture especially used by the Spirit of God for blessing to his soul, were 1 John 1:77But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. (1 John 1:7), "The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin," and John 6:3737All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. (John 6:37), "Him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out." He died in a few days, constantly rejoicing in the Lord, but none of his infidel friends came near him.
May the Lord graciously grant that the striking exemplification of the truth which this narrative affords, that His all-seeing eye marks the footsteps of the transgressor, and that "There is no darkness, nor shadow of death, where the workers of iniquity may hide themselves" ( Job 34:2222There is no darkness, nor shadow of death, where the workers of iniquity may hide themselves. (Job 34:22)), may not be without fruit for His glory, and the conviction and conversion of sinners.