Read Psalm 52:5-7
One of the problems with humanistic philosophy is that it causes people to think they are self-sufficient. They think they don't need any outside help, that in and of themselves they have all they need for life and for death. David describes this kind of person: "Here is the man who did not make God his strength, but trusted in the abundance of his riches, and strengthened himself in his wickedness" (v. 7). That's a description of the self-sufficient person who doesn't know how dangerous his situation really is. Notice that God was not his strength. He trusted in his own wickedness. He was strengthened in his sin.
When life is built on sin, it has no foundation. Remember the parable Jesus told about the two men who built houses (Matt. 7:24-27). The foolish man built his house on the sand; he didn't obey God. The wise man built his house on the rock; he obeyed God. And when the storm came, the house that was built on the rock remained strong and firm, whereas the house built on the sand collapsed.
God was not this self-sufficient person's strength, and God was not his confidence. He depended on his wealth. Most people today think that money can solve every problem. This person "trusted in the abundance of his riches," David said (v. 7). And what happened to him? "God shall likewise destroy you forever; He shall take you away, and pluck you out of your dwelling place, and uproot you from the land of the living" (v. 5).
We can see this person in his home, surrounded by his wealth. But God reaches in and plucks him out--the way you would reach into a den and pull out a rabbit. This person is like a beautiful tree. But God says, "I'm going to uproot you." The righteous get the last laugh. "The righteous also shall see and fear, and shall laugh at him" (v. 6). Are you going to be a part of the last laugh, or is someone going to be laughing at you?
God is your strength and confidence. Don't be like the self-sufficient person, who trusts in the world's substitutes for strength and confidence. Let the Word of God permeate your mind and hide its truth in your heart. Place yourself in God's care and let Him establish you.
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