Psalm 2
Why do the nations rage
and the peoples plot in vain?
2 The kings of the earth set themselves,
and the rulers take counsel together,
against the Lord and against his Anointed, saying,
3 “Let us burst their bonds apart
and cast away their cords from us.”
4 He who sits in the heavens laughs;
the Lord holds them in derision.
5 Then he will speak to them in his wrath,
and terrify them in his fury, saying,
6 “As for me, I have set my King
on Zion, my holy hill.”
7 I will tell of the decree:
The Lord said to me, “You are my Son;
today I have begotten you.
8 Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage,
and the ends of the earth your possession.
9 You shall break them with a rod of iron
and dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.”
10 Now therefore, O kings, be wise;
be warned, O rulers of the earth.
11 Serve the Lord with fear,
and rejoice with trembling.
12 Kiss the Son,
lest he be angry, and you perish in the way,
for his wrath is quickly kindled.
Blessed are all who take refuge in him.
For our church:
Please pray that the members of our church would serve the Lord with a growing appreciation and wonder for all the blessings that God the Father has bestowed on the Son for the very ends of the earth are his possession.
Our teaching moment:
God pursues the honor of his own name. (Isaiah 48:1-11; Ezekiel 39:25-29; John 17:6, 25-26) Prayer joins him in this pursuit. Rebellion characterizes the nations of this world and its rulers. This refusal to submit to God and to his Anointed is the mark of the worldly. In contrast, the people of God are marked by a longing to see God’s name honored and this is the very goal or end of their praying. (2 Samuel 22:50-51; Daniel 9:4-19, esp. 15; Acts 4:23-31) In the past, God condemned the priests who were not concerned with honoring his name. (Malachi 2:1-2) Now all believers are members of his royal priesthood who are called to honor and proclaim the excellencies of his name. (1 Peter 2:9; Revelation 5:9-13). Rejoice in the Lord today who calls us out of darkness and into his marvelous light!
A prayer from the past:
Gladly do I acknowledge you [Lord Jesus] to be my King and my God; for by God’s appointment, by your conquest of my heart, and by the voluntary surrender of myself since you have brought me under the power of your grace, am I yours, and no longer my own. Oh! for grace so to acknowledge you, so to obey you, so to love you, that while the Lord God has set you [Lord Jesus] upon your throne, his grace also may give you the throne of my heart! And while all your enemies must bow before you, may all your friends and followers rejoice in your service! Even so, Amen.
Robert Hawker (1753-1827), The Poor Man’s Morning and Evening Portions, 510.