We face many uncertainties in our world. It seems there is always conflict among at least a couple countries, even within our own. When we Christians are faced with such turmoil, how can we respond?
“Why do the nations rage, And the people plot a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, And the rulers take counsel together, Against the LORD and against His Anointed, saying, ‘Let us break Their bonds in pieces And cast away Their cords from us.’” (Psalm 2:1-3, NKJV)
It is no new thing that there are people in authority and groups who have come against the Lord, His people Israel (Psa 83), and His Church (Acts 5:33), and such plots will continue to the end (Rev 17:14). In verse 3, the word for “Anointed” is māšîaḥ, or, “Messiah,” pointing to how the world would ultimately reject Jesus as God’s Son and the only Way, Truth, and Life and would try to eliminate Christianity. However, the next verses show God’s response.
“He who sits in the heavens shall laugh; The Lord shall hold them in derision. Then He shall speak to them in His wrath, And distress them in His deep displeasure:” (Psalm 2:4-5, NKJV)
“There is no wisdom or understanding Or counsel against the LORD.” (Pro 21:30, NKJV) He does as He pleases (Ps 115:3), regardless of how man responds. And in the end it is better that way, because if the raging nations had their way, the following verses would be of no consequence.
“‘Yet I have set My King On My holy hill of Zion. I will declare the decree: The LORD has said to Me, “You are My Son, Today I have begotten You. Ask of Me, and I will give You The nations for Your inheritance, And the ends of the earth for Your possession. (9) You shall break them with a rod of iron; You shall dash them to pieces like a potter’s vessel.”’” (Psalm 2:6-9. NKJV)
Psalm 2 turns to the prophecy of the Lord’s Anointed, Jesus. Not only was Jesus human, but He was God, God’s begotten Son (Acts 13:33; Heb 1, 5:5). Jesus was the one who came to offer redemption to those in the very world who rejected Him. Here David speaks more to Jesus’s second coming after the Tribulation, when He will establish His earthly reign once and for all. And how does that affect us?
“Now therefore, be wise, O kings; Be instructed, you judges of the earth. Serve the LORD with fear, And rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, lest He be angry, And you perish in the way, When His wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all those who put their trust in Him.” (Psalm 2:10-12, NKJV)
Sometimes as Christians it can be hard to picture Jesus this way, as being the righteous Judge. Yet we are to have a godly fear of Him, and those who do not believe will perish in the end. Additionally, Revelation 2:26-27 reveals that not only is it Christ who inherits the nations, but “he who overcomes” will also rule with Him.
We are not the ones in control. It can seem terrifying at first, and yet the last verse shows that it truly is comforting to see Christ’s power if we trust in Him. He is our hope and shelter, and we know His plan is best. Yes, the nations may rage, but in the end Christ reigns.
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