Rebellion

Psalm 2

Glance at any world map or globe, and as you see all the different countries, can you point out any nation or their rulers and leaders who wholeheartedly worship and serve the Lord?  Many actually actively oppose the Lord God and His Word. This has been the case since the dawn of time in the early chapters of Genesis. Our psalm for today speaks of the ultimate folly of a nation, ruler, or anyone in opposing God.

Psalm 2 was possibly written to celebrate the coronation of a king.  It ultimately serves for the coronation of Jesus, our eternal King. This psalm describes the rebellion of the nations of the world against God, and the coming of Jesus to establish His eternal rule.

The author starts out in verse 1 asking a rhetorical question - why are the nations and people plotting and raging against God?  Unsaved men, then and today, devise, conspire, and scheme against God. They don’t want God telling them how to live their lives or how to govern their country, so the nations and people of the world direct their hostility against Him and His Son, Jesus, the Messiah (vs 2). Just like a little two year old trying to assert his will against his parents, or even a bug against a human, it is a vain effort to rebel against God.

Everyone wants to be free, not having others rule over them, telling them what to do or how to live.  Unfortunately, for many this includes wanting to be free from God (vs 3). However, everyone does willingly serve someone or something.  They follow after political groups, organizations, other people, or their own selves and desires. The only real freedom is found in submitting to God.

What is God’s reaction when He observes all of this?  We read in verse 4 that He laughs. This is not a friendly, happy laugh.  Nor is it the good-hearted laughter of a parent watching their child’s crazy antics.  This is the laughter of God’s contempt. These people don’t want Him in their lives, and are either directly or indirectly in rebellion against Him.  Pride and power drive many nations and rulers to rebel against God. He laughs because the power anyone has comes from Him. He gave it, and He can take it away.

The Lord God gives the decree that the Messiah is His Son (vs 7). This verse is quoted in the New Testament, in Hebrews 1:5, to show that Jesus is superior to the angels.  He is both fully God and fully man. Since Jesus is superior to any angel, He is vastly superior to any king or ruler on earth.

One day, possibly soon, the Lord Jesus will return to earth.  At that time Jesus will be in authority and rule over every nation and power (vs 8-9).  Every nation will be His inheritance, and all rulers will submit to Him. Either willingly or unwillingly they will submit.

As our psalm closes, we are all urged to submit to God now.  The psalmist instructs us to “kiss the Son”, which means to submit and surrender to the Son of God.  Jesus is God’s chosen King. As such, He is the rightful King of our lives. We must never forget exactly who God is.  He is the mighty, eternal God, King of all eternity. No ruler or army can stand against Jesus. He is perfect and righteous. We must never forget who He is when we stand before Him.

Through all of this, God is full of mercy and grace.  Instead of immediate judgment, God is giving us all a chance to turn to Him today.  Don’t put your trust in any country or earthly power. Rather, put your trust and confidence in God.  Jesus is our Good Shepherd and loving Savior. Run willingly into His loving arms today instead of waiting and being forced to submit when He returns as the mighty King.