Word of Encouragement (12/14/2020)
“Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD and against his Anointed, saying, ‘Let us burst their bonds apart and cast away their cords from us.’ He who sits in the heavens laughs; the Lord holds them in derision” (Ps. 2:1-4).
Good morning! This week, let’s meditate on Ps. 2.
In vv. 1-3, we have a description of a worldwide coalition. The world has never been so united as in this federation. Nations rage and peoples plot—not against one another but with one another against their common enemy. Kings and rulers, who are always at odds with one another, constantly vying for more power and dominance, join their hands and take counsel together. They are united in one purpose: “Let us burst their bonds apart and cast away their cords from us!” How terrible their enemy has to be that they are willing to forget all their present differences and past animosities and join their forces together to fight this common enemy? We find out that this common enemy of theirs is none other than the LORD and His Anointed.
They live and move and have their being in God. It is God who gave them life. Whatever they have and enjoy is God’s gracious, undeserved favor to them. They are given the ability to think, feel, and will because God created them in His own image. But they cannot bear the thought of God’s lordship over them. They want to be their own masters. As far as they are concerned, it is “better to reign in Hell than serve in Heaven.” They cannot imagine God to be good. As long as God reigns over them, He is a cruel Tyrant. Any authority He claims over them as their Maker is but “fetters” that shackle them and “ropes” that bind them. To them, the biggest hindrance to their freedom and happiness is God and His rule. Their hatred against God is so much greater than their hatred against one another that, when they march against God, they feel like a band of brothers. So, they marshal their forces together in rebellion against God.
And impressive are their united forces. Think about all the things that mankind has been able to accomplish in the fields of science, technology, medicine, philosophy, arts and literature, etc.! Many people believe that, given enough time, there is nothing man won’t be able to do. They believe that they can dethrone God and declare Him dead and irrelevant. As they continue to push the limits of human possibility, they feel more emboldened and hopeful in their rebellion against God.
What is God doing as they work themselves up to a feverish pitch of rebellion? “He who sits in the heavens laughs; the Lord holds them in derision.” Spurgeon observes, “Mark the quiet dignity of the Omnipotent One, and the contempt which he pours upon the princes and their raging people. He has not taken the trouble to rise up and do battle with them—he despises them, he knows how absurd, how irrational, how futile are their attempts against him—he therefore laughs at them.” Why? “For he knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust. As for man, his days are like grass; he flourishes like a flower of the field; for the wind passes over it, and it is gone, and its place knows it no more” (Ps. 103:14-16). Should God be afraid of mere men, no matter how many they may be? He is the One who numbered their days, who holds their breath in His hands. The moment He withdraws His hands of common grace, they will be no more.
By God’s grace, you have surrendered yourself to Christ and God has made you His beloved children, coheirs with Christ. You are no longer a part of the vain rebellion of the fallen humanity against their Maker; you now belong to God and His invincible, victorious Kingdom. With God as your King and Protector, you need not be afraid of men. When nations rage, peoples plot, and the world seems to be falling apart, you need not fear. Look to Him, who sits in the heavens and rules over all things without ever losing control. May this vision of God give you peace and comfort and encouragement as you begin this day!