Warnings and Promises — Relevant Today

Psalm 2 – a short psalm that throws down the truth of what’s happening around the globe today. You’ll find it at the end of this blog.

Working for an international ministry with employees living in and traveling to areas all over the world, I receive major scoop from around the globe—what countries are struggling with pandemics, military coups, or civil wars. Where danger exists and where small windows or opportunity for evangelism and discipleship open.

In my work, we seek to provide God’s Word (the ultimate discipleship tool) to the more than seven thousand language groups living today. When Jesus gave us His mandate go into every nation (The Great Commission, Matthew 28:19-20), we see this directive fulfilled in Revelation 7:9 as representation from every nation, tribe, and tongue is gathered before the throne of Christ.  

The good news? We do it! Christ’s church completes the Great Commission task, discipling people from every one of those seven thousand plus language groups. Woo hoo!

Between Then and Now

But between the selecting the Jewish Nation as His representation, to the birth of the church through Christ’s atoning work on the cross, to the coming day when we see and experience all these wonderful people groups around the throne, a lot of stuff happens. Major stuff. Hair-raising stuff.

We’ve lived through some of that hair-raising stuff these last twenty months. And as we here in the US have grappled with a new enemy called Covid-19, and also government overreaches, mobs, violence, and tyranny, the rest of the nations have contended with the same. Truly we are now a global society as every living being has experienced some level of unwanted change, uniting us on unfortunate common ground.

Relevant

These facts are why Psalm 2 speaks to me in a unique way today. The first three verses almost describe our current global, political climates. The next three verses (four through six), give us a look at God’s perspective of our current condition. He’s laughing at the rulers of the world, including those in charge of the US. Verses seven, eight, and nine tell us of God’s plan through the Davidic throne to place His own son as the ultimate and righteous leader of the nations. The last three verses include a terrible warning of wrath but also a glorious promise in the last line: Blessed are all who take refuge in Him [the Son].  

Though in this psalm, there is a promise that Christ’s wrath is kindled quickly (He’s not going to put up with earthly leaders coming together to conspire against Him for long), there is also a guarantee that if we serve the Lord with fear and rejoice with trembling, then we are supported, consecrated, and wholly His.

This truth makes my heart warm and gooey like a muffin right out of the oven. I’m feeling the love. Are you?

The Kingdom Come

What’s happening in our world is but a moment’s infliction. There’s a wrath coming for the kings of the earth who have ignored God’s sovereign design. And there’s a kingdom coming for you and me.

Take heart! His kingdom will come, and His will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

Doing the right thing in these days of trouble will not be easy. Walking the narrow path will be not only dangerous, but lonely. But you, oh mighty warrior, will walk with Christ in His coming thousand-year reign.

Hallelujah!

Sharpen that sword. Be prepared to give testimony in season and out. And walk, like the warrior you are, in truth.

Amen.

If I perish, I perish,

Laurie

Psalm 2

Why are the nations restless

And the peoples plotting in vain?

2 The kings of the earth take their stand

And the rulers conspire together

Against the LORD and against His Anointed, saying,

3 “Let’s tear their shackles apart

And throw their ropes away from us!”

4 He who sits in the heavens laughs,

The Lord scoffs at them.

5 Then He will speak to them in His anger

And terrify them in His fury, saying,

6 “But as for Me, I have installed My King

Upon Zion, My holy mountain.”

7 “I will announce the decree of the LORD:

He said to Me, ‘You are My Son,

Today I have fathered You.

8 ‘Ask it of Me, and I will certainly give the nations as Your inheritance,

And the ends of the earth as Your possession.

9 ‘You shall break them with a rod of iron,

You shall shatter them like earthenware.’”

10 Now then, you kings, use insight;

Let yourselves be instructed, you judges of the earth.

11 Serve the LORD with reverence

And rejoice with trembling.

12 Kiss the Son, that He not be angry and you perish on the way,

For His wrath may be kindled quickly.

How blessed are all who take refuge in Him!