Fools say in their hearts, "There is no God." They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds; there is no one who does good.

The LORD looks down from heaven on humankind to see if there are any who are wise, who seek after God.

They have all gone astray, they are all alike perverse; there is no one who does good, no, not one.

Have they no knowledge, all the evildoers who eat up my people as they eat bread, and do not call upon the LORD?

There they shall be in great terror, for God is with the company of the righteous. You would confound the plans of the poor, but the LORD is their refuge.

O that deliverance for Israel would come from Zion! When the LORD restores the fortunes of his people, Jacob, will rejoice; Israel will be glad.

Psalm 14:1-7

The tendency of sinful man has always been to shift attention from himself by pointing the finger at others. When someone else appears to be a greater sinner than we are, it's just an illusion. The sooner we realize that no one owes more to God than we do, the more likely we are to receive His free forgiveness. He extends His pardon only to those who humbly acknowledge that they are hopelessly in debt.

One sin rationalized becomes two.

Our Daily Bread - November 27, 2004