Dear BAGBR Church,  

Psalm 52: 7  "Behold, the man who would not make God his refuge, but trusted in the abundance of his riches and was strong in his evil desires."

The background of this Psalm is concerning the wickedness of Doeg the Edomite (1 Sam. 21: 1-7, 22: 6-19).  David had fled from Saul, and he went to the priests at Nob and was given bread along with the sword of Goliath (1 Sam. 21: 6, 9).  Doeg witnessed all of this and immediately reported everything he saw to Saul. Then, Doeg was willing to slaughter 85 men "who wore the linen garments" as well as the entire city of Nob because they helped David, God's anointed servant (1 Sam. 22: 18-19).  Who could do such a thing?  Doeg was among the priests, among the worshippers, and he was Saul's chief shepherd (1 Sam, 21: 7).  Most likely, he must have been supplying sheep for the worshippers, the priests. And even though he was in the congregation that day, he was not a worshipper. The Psalmist describes him as a man who did not make God his refuge but trusted in his riches (1 Sam. 22: 7). He was driven by evil desires, having no reluctance to betray the servants/priests of God (1 Sam. 22: 17).  In a matter of speaking, Doeg was an OT "Judas!" Although he was among the servants of God, he was not a servant of God but only sought to serve himself.

Is everybody who comes to worship, who is counted among the gathered-on Sunday, truly there to serve God, to love Him, and to follow Him? Is it possible that there may be a Doeg or two who attend your church but when they are given an opportunity for gain and position they quickly cast aside the "faith?"  ABSOLUTELY (Matt. 13: 24-30)!  I heard a definition of a hypocrite many years ago that applies here, "A hypocrite is someone who is not themselves on Sunday!" Who are the true worshippers and servants of God? His Worshipers WILL regularly gather with the people of God on Sunday, but when they are "in the world" they daily reflect a heart of worship and obedience so that who they are on Sunday is the same person they are on Monday.  We can be comforted that, although there may be 'Doegs" among us as we worship, for the most part, there are many more "Davids!" The true test of the genuineness of our faith is NOT by our worship on Sunday--but our WALK on Monday!