Psalm 2
English Standard
Version (ESV)
2 (A)Why do (B)the nations rage[a]
and the peoples plot in vain?
2 The kings of the earth set themselves,
and the rulers take counsel together,
against the Lord and against his (C)Anointed, saying,
3 “Let us (D)burst their bonds apart
and cast away their cords from us.”
and the peoples plot in vain?
2 The kings of the earth set themselves,
and the rulers take counsel together,
against the Lord and against his (C)Anointed, saying,
3 “Let us (D)burst their bonds apart
and cast away their cords from us.”
4 He who (E)sits in the heavens (F)laughs;
the Lord holds them in derision.
5 Then he will speak to them in his (G)wrath,
and terrify them in his fury, saying,
6 “As for me, I have (H)set my King
on (I)Zion, my (J)holy hill.”
the Lord holds them in derision.
5 Then he will speak to them in his (G)wrath,
and terrify them in his fury, saying,
6 “As for me, I have (H)set my King
on (I)Zion, my (J)holy hill.”
7 I will tell of the decree:
The Lord said to me, (K)“You are my Son;
today I have begotten you.
8 Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage,
and (L)the ends of the earth your possession.
9 You shall (M)break[b] them with (N)a rod of iron
and dash them in pieces like (O)a potter's vessel.”
The Lord said to me, (K)“You are my Son;
today I have begotten you.
8 Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage,
and (L)the ends of the earth your possession.
9 You shall (M)break[b] them with (N)a rod of iron
and dash them in pieces like (O)a potter's vessel.”
10 Now therefore, O kings, be wise;
be warned, O rulers of the earth.
11 (P)Serve the Lord with (Q)fear,
and (R)rejoice with (S)trembling.
12 (T)Kiss (U)the Son,
lest he be angry, and you perish in the way,
for his (V)wrath is quickly kindled.
(W)Blessed are all who take refuge in him.
be warned, O rulers of the earth.
11 (P)Serve the Lord with (Q)fear,
and (R)rejoice with (S)trembling.
12 (T)Kiss (U)the Son,
lest he be angry, and you perish in the way,
for his (V)wrath is quickly kindled.
(W)Blessed are all who take refuge in him.
Often times we hear of the Lord’s
patience and gentleness towards us but these verses make it very clear that
there is a side of God that will bring justice.
We must never put the Lord our God to the test. Whether we are kings or peasant folk
rejecting God is one of the worst mistakes anyone could ever make. But in these verses we see a mistake even
worse than the rejection. This is the
mistake of thinking of yourself as the one in control. Lording over people as though you have the
power to control them, you have the power of deciding what they believe and who
they should believe in. People who make
themselves god rather than worshipping God are the ones in which God’s anger
will burn rapidly. These are also the
people that God laughs at.
I have to wonder why God even
allows these people to exist. Is it
because He enjoys entertainment? No, it
is because He gives us freewill. While
we are here on this earth we have the opportunity to decide who we will follow
and what we will believe. There will be
a day though where that decision will lead to destruction or to a glorious
reward.
As I go to work today, I must
remember that God is in control. He sits
on His throne and He knows what every leader is doing, saying, and acting
upon. He knows if they are serving Him
or if they are serving themselves. He
knows if they are welcoming His message into their countries or if they are
trying to destroy His message. Some of
the fastest growing churches can be found in nations where His word is not
welcomed. Is he sitting on His throne laughing
at these leaders? His Word says that He
is. Will He someday bring justice to
those leaders? His Word says He will.
As you seek Him today, remember
that He is watching. Remember that even
though He is the most loving, gentle, kind, forgiving Ruler, He is also the One
and only One that has the right to place a verdict on us. Fear Him and know that He is God and He is in
Control.
Seeking Him with all my heart,
Sheila
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