Reading: Psalms 1-9
Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine 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 bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us. He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision(Ps. 2:1-4).
Who by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things? The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against His Christ (Acts 4:25- 26). This question plagued David during his tenure as king of Israel. It was asked again by Paul in the aftermath of Jesus’ persecution and crucifixion, and it remains highly relevant today. Who do we (mankind as a whole) think we are to stand against God? Who are we to question His Word, adding to it and subtracting from it to make it pleasing and acceptable to us? Who are we to declare His work flawed and in need of revision? Who are we to form governments that speak His Name while denying His authority? Governments that, through their compromises and political diplomacy, declare Him one among many, not worthy of any more or less respect than the rest.
Who are we (in the universal sense)? We are fools. Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh and intermeddleth with all wisdom. A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself (Prov. 18:1-2). The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good (Ps. 14:1). We think we are making a stand, taking charge of our own lives, and leading the way to enlightenment. When really, we are stumbling alone in the dark, pitching tantrums and rebelling against God even as we refuse to acknowledge Him.
He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision. God is still in complete control. His plan is not being thwarted. In the long run, the only people we hurt with our rebellious delusions are ourselves. Jesus was persecuted and crucified, but He arose, triumphant over sin and death. He is our hope, our future, and our way out of the madness surrounding us. Cleansed in His blood, standing in His light, we can separate ourselves from those who wish to remain fools. Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth. Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him (2:10-12).
And we declare unto you glad tidings, how that the promise which was made unto the fathers, God hath fulfilled the same unto us their children, in that he hath raised up Jesus again; as it is also written in the second psalm, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee. And as concerning that he raised him up from the dead, now no more to return to corruption, he said on this wise, I will give you the sure mercies of David. Wherefore he saith also in another psalm, Thou shalt not suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell on sleep, and was laid unto his fathers, and saw corruption: But He, whom God raised again, saw no corruption (Acts 13:32-37).
Thought For Today The struggle of many to find acceptance and meaning in life is a direct consequence of their willful rejection of God.
Word Studies: 2:2 Anointed (One) = Messiah (Hebrew) and Christ (Greek); 5:6 leasing = lies.
Christ Revealed:As the Son of God (Ps. 2:7). God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life (John 3:16; Acts 13:33; Heb. 1:5).
Pray For Staff: Kevin Jennings • Country: Senegal (13,635,927) Western Africa • Major Language: French • Religious Freedom • 94% Muslim; 5% Christian (Mostly Roman Catholic); 1% Indigenous Beliefs • Prayer Suggestion: Begin each morning with prayer (Ps. 5:3).
Optional Readings:Philippians 3.