Psalm 2
1 Why do the nations conspire[a]
and the peoples plot in vain?
2 The kings of the earth rise up
and the rulers band together
against the Lord and against his anointed, saying,
3 “Let us break their chains
and throw off their shackles.”
and the peoples plot in vain?
2 The kings of the earth rise up
and the rulers band together
against the Lord and against his anointed, saying,
3 “Let us break their chains
and throw off their shackles.”
4 The One enthroned in heaven laughs;
the Lord scoffs at them.
5 He rebukes them in his anger
and terrifies them in his wrath, saying,
6 “I have installed my king
on Zion, my holy mountain.”
the Lord scoffs at them.
5 He rebukes them in his anger
and terrifies them in his wrath, saying,
6 “I have installed my king
on Zion, my holy mountain.”
7 I will proclaim the Lord’s decree:
He said to me, “You are my son;
today I have become your father.
8 Ask me,
and I will make the nations your inheritance,
the ends of the earth your possession.
9 You will break them with a rod of iron[b];
you will dash them to pieces like pottery.”
today I have become your father.
8 Ask me,
and I will make the nations your inheritance,
the ends of the earth your possession.
9 You will break them with a rod of iron[b];
you will dash them to pieces like pottery.”
10 Therefore, you kings, be wise;
be warned, you rulers of the earth.
11 Serve the Lord with fear
and celebrate his rule with trembling.
12 Kiss his son, or he will be angry
and your way will lead to your destruction,
for his wrath can flare up in a moment.
Blessed are all who take refuge in him.
be warned, you rulers of the earth.
11 Serve the Lord with fear
and celebrate his rule with trembling.
12 Kiss his son, or he will be angry
and your way will lead to your destruction,
for his wrath can flare up in a moment.
Blessed are all who take refuge in him.
1 Why do the nations conspire[a]
and the peoples plot in vain?
2 The kings of the earth rise up
and the rulers band together
against the Lord and against his anointed, saying,
3 “Let us break their chains
and throw off their shackles.”
It makes me think about how true these verses are even today. I guess you could think of nations that have banned Christianity first but not it's not just in those places. I think about the rise of blatant sinful behaviour becoming so common that many people don't even see their lifestyle as sinful. What we see in the media, read in the newspapers, and even hear from our kids about what is happening in their school, we know that there is a plot against what God has commanded us to do in the bible. Persecution and disdain for following God is what you can expect as the "nations conspire" against Christianity.
I was thinking specifically about the "Duck Dynasty" situation that has been in the news lately. Now truthfully, I have never watched the show but from what I have gathered from reading and hearing about on the news and on social media is that one of the show's characters in not allowed on the show any more because of his stand for what the Bible says about the homosexual lifestyle. What I find interesting is that while, of course, there is a public outcry against anyone who would speak against people who declare themselves to be gay, a number of people actually do not condemn the actor for his words and actions and believe he has the right to stand up for his beliefs too. Is this what this verse means when "peoples plot in vain" and that God uses many different situations to bring people to him and maybe this is just another one of these ways. What I do know is that God already knows what the future holds and that the battle over sin has already been won.
We just finished the celebration of the birth of Jesus. The One who came to be the Saviour of the world. The One who died for us...for our sin....for all sin. Sometimes, it is difficult for me to wrap my head around that. It seems so surreal when you actually stop and think about what it all means. I think about the advent season and the hope we have, the love we were shown, the joy we can experience, and the peace we know because of Jesus.
10Therefore, you kings, be wise;
be warned, you rulers of the earth.
11 Serve the Lord with fear
and celebrate his rule with trembling.
12 Kiss his son, or he will be angry
and your way will lead to your destruction,
for his wrath can flare up in a moment.
Blessed are all who take refuge in him.
be warned, you rulers of the earth.
11 Serve the Lord with fear
and celebrate his rule with trembling.
12 Kiss his son, or he will be angry
and your way will lead to your destruction,
for his wrath can flare up in a moment.
Blessed are all who take refuge in him.
We don't know what tomorrow will bring ... we don't know what attack we will face on our faith, what the "nations will conspire against us" or forces will attempt to "break our chains" ...but God does.
"Blessed are all who take refuge in him"
The reality is that we don't have to worry about that. We can take refuge in the One that created it all. In Him, we are saved from it all.
Tomorrow's scripture focus: Psalm 3
1 comment:
I love the portion "plot in vain". All evil is ultimately in vain, because Jesus is the victor. It seems far off as we go through the daily grind, but the victory has been won, and we who take refuge in Him will join the celebration!
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