Psalm 10:11, 13
“He says to himself, ‘God has forgotten; He covers his face and never sees!'”
“Why does the wicked man revile God? Why does he say to himself: He won’t call me to account?”
The thoughts of God respecting the nature and malignity of sin, are widely different from those which are entertained in the hearts of natural men. Men consider themselves as innocent if their outward conduct is not grossly reprehensible, and what they cannot justify in their actions they mitigate under lenient expressions. But God notices the very frame and dispositions of the heart! He clearly and infallibly interprets the language of men’s thoughts. He declares that the wickedness of their actions proceeds from the atheism in their hearts, Psalm 14:1.
Thus, in the Psalm before us, he reveals the secret motives by which the wicked are actuated, verses 2, 4, 6, 11, and puts the right construction on their thoughts verse 13.
Let us consider,
I. The ground of the natural man’s expostulations.
Were all the lineaments of man’s contempt of God to be drawn, we would scarcely ever finish the dreadful portrait!
We make light of:
the Father’s authority,
the Son’s sin-atoning sacrifice,
the Spirit’s influence in regeneration.
Every office they sustain, every attribute they possess, every relation they bear to us—we disregard and dishonor. We . . .
overlook God’s providence,
are unmindful of his Word,
neglect his ordinances,
and despise his people.
But, waving all other points, we fix our attention on that mentioned in the text, namely: Our virtual denial of God’s punitive justice.
Men evidence by their lives, that they think God will not require an account of their sin.
1. Their impenitence for their past sins shows it.
They do not humble themselves for sin, or seek after a Savior; and what is the language of this, but, “God does not regard, nor will require an account of their sin?”
2. Their unconcern about forsaking sin in the future, shows it.
They indulge all their evil habits, rush carelessly into temptations, listen to no admonitions, seek not God’s aid, and even stifle their convictions! Does not this say, “Sin may be indulged with impunity, God will not require an account of their sin!”
Know then that this thought, or language of their hearts, is a contempt of God himself!
It is a contempt of God’s holiness.
Instead of regarding him as an infinitely Holy Being, Isaiah 6:3. Hebrews 1:13—it supposes him to be such a one as ourselves! Psalm 50:21.
It is a contempt of God’s justice.
The Scripture speaks of God as just, Deuteronomy 32:4—but this intimates that he is indifferent about the execution of his laws, Zephaniah 1:12.
It is a contempt of God’s wisdom.
The contriving of the plan of redemption was the greatest effort of divine wisdom; but this declares that the devising of it was superfluous, and that an attention to it is unnecessary.
It is a contempt of God’s mercy.
God in infinite mercy offers us salvation through his Son, Isaiah 55:1-2—but this is a determinate refusal of his gracious offers.
Such is the construction which God himself puts upon it, 1 Samuel 2:30. Romans 2:4.
II. The expostulation itself.
The question in our text is manifestly an indignant expostulation. I ask then,
1. What assurance has any man that God will not require an account of their sin?
Supposing it possible or even probable, who can be certain of it? What folly then must it be to continue in sin through hopes of impunity; when the mistake, if it is one, will be irrevocable, and the consequence of it irremediable! We are bound, in common prudence, to choose the safer side!
2. Has not God clearly said that he will require an account of their sin?
The testimonies to this effect are most indubitable, 1 Corinthians 6:9. John 3:3. Can we suppose that God will falsify his Word? Numbers 23:19. 2 Timothy 2:13.
3. Has not God in many instances, already required an account of their sin?
Have not individuals, companies, cities, nations, the whole world, yes, man in Paradise, and angels in Heaven, been made monuments of divine vengeance? Jude verse 6 and 7. Why may he not manifest his indignation against us also?
4. Will not the account be dreadful, if God will require an account of their sin?
No heart can conceive the terrors of the final judgment. Who, in his right mind, would risk the loss of Heaven, and the suffering of Hell?
5. Can any power or policy of men prevent God’s requiring an account of their sin?
Let us first avert death from our bodies, or provide an answer to Job’s question, Job 9:4, “Who has hardened himself against God and prospered?” Not earth and Hell combined can prevent the punishment of one sinner! Proverbs 11:21.
APPLICATION.
Let us see how deeply we have been involved in this guilt. If our outward actions have been correct, still have we, to an incalculable amount, committed sin by our very thoughts!
O let us flee for refuge to the hope set before us! Happy am I to declare that there is a way wherein a person may not only think this in his heart, but express it with his lips. If we believe in Christ, God will never require sin at our hands, Acts 13:39; and to express it, so far from pouring contempt on God, will greatly honor him. God is not more honored by anything than the humble confidence of a believer, Romans 4:20. Let us all therefore lay our sins on the head of the true scape-goat, so shall they never be required of us in the day of judgment, Micah 7:19.
Charles Simeon