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.”
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.”
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.”
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.
There is a real humanity to this Psalm. It may speak of kings and rulers and yet the same heart rules at our kitchen tables, and classrooms and offices. ‘Let us throw off their shackles’ we might not say it as poetically, but the words or at least those thoughts, invade our minds. Is it any wonder that we struggle to live out the Father’s will in his world? For we and our ancestors are so determined and head strong. We will do what we will do. Any restraint that people may edge towards us we would shriek ‘freedom, freedom’. But be warned. Serve the Lord. Seek first his kingdom. Celebrate his rule. Reading through this Psalm I couldn’t help but think of this treasurable quote from C.S Lewis:
“Aslan is a lion- the Lion, the great Lion.” “Ooh” said Susan. “I’d thought he was a man. Is he-quite safe? I shall feel rather nervous about meeting a lion”…”Safe?” said Mr Beaver …”Who said anything about safe? ‘Course he isn’t safe. But he’s good. He’s the King, I tell you.”
― C.S. Lewis, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
By Stew Playsted (Lead Pastor & Gospel Community Vision Coordinator)
To Ponder
How would you reconcile verses 1-12a to the final phrase: ‘Blessed are all who take refuge in him’. How do we find refuge in the company of a King?
Good question
…..
and the answer is
…..??
?
Romans 8.
Gerry good to chat over phone and reflect on the tension. As we discussed I think believers in different parts of the world and in different vocations would have a different take on it. However Gods word is able to hold the two in tension and it seems a little contrived I know, but the cross is the best reflection of the love of God and the justice of God. Its a beautiful picture. Rom 3:21-26 unpacks the dilemma. Also as Trevor notes Romans 8:31-39 is a cracker!!
Here is some J.I. Packer for you:
“On the one hand, the Lord Jesus as our substitute took our place and tasted on our behalf the penalty – that is, the death and banishment into hell – that we deserved. On the other hand we are made sharers of the fathers eternal approval and pleasure in his always loyal, loving and obedient son, who now has borne, and borne away, the sin of the world.”
J.I. Packer “Weakness is the Way: Life with Christ our strength”, Illinois: Crossway 2013, p45