I’m no Bible scholar. I do read the Bible, and find it to be instructive in my daily life. Sometimes, I don’t like what it says, because I feel like a failure in comparison to what it teaches.

On this day, April 1 aka “April Fool’s Day”, the above passage came to mind.

The image is from a web resource called Blue Letter Bible. The passage is out of the book of Psalms, chapter 14 verse 1. Specifically, this is the old “King James Version”. I think it’s cool how there are only five Hebrew words, yet it takes eleven words to be spoken in old King’s English. Hebrew words are so rich with meaning!

What I find most interesting is the addition, in English, of the words “there is”. Notice how those two words are bracketed, with no Hebrew word beside them?

Again… I’m not a scholar, and I don’t actually read Hebrew. Hence, I like to use resources to help me understand more fully. But it seems to me that this passage could be translated as:

The fool says, in his heart, “No, God”.

Based on this (possible) translation, I’m certain I’ve been the fool more times than I care to consider. Sometimes with intent, sometimes inadvertently.

This makes me grateful for grace and mercy. And my thoughts are drawn to another passage, from one of the most pain-filled books of the Bible.

“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:22-23

And now a song comes to mind, by BiFrost Arts, called Because of His Great Love.

The only reason I exist on this earth is God’s love. I don’t have a chance without it! I’ve been the fool many times, and it will only be by His grace that I am not April’s fool, too.