“Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against Yehovah and against His Anointed, saying, ‘Let us burst their bonds apart and cast away their cords from us.’” [Psalm 2:1-3, ESV]
We are often confronted with a
troubling question: If God - Yehovah is sovereign over all things, ruling and
reigning on earth, then why is there so much rage in the world? Why are the
wicked plotting? Why do violent riots break out on the streets, harming
innocent people? Why are there still millions of people, even children, in
horrid bondage?
Why do the people, nations,
rulers, and kings want to cast off God - Yehovah, to burst His bonds and live
without Him? Today, we are witnessing this in our nation.
I have been in the ministry for
many decades, and I have never witnessed a spiritual decline like the one
currently taking place in our world. Many are asking, “Can we trust God -
Yehovah?” Are we not weary and troubled in soul over the moral decay? Are we
not vexed over a nation that once respected, honored, and served God - Yehovah,
but has now strayed away from the very mention of his name?
Psalm 2 asks: “Why do the
nations rage?” The psalmist was essentially asking, “What could be in a
person’s mind to think it’s plausible to reject God and still have hope and
peace for the future?” This rebellious mindset only occurs in nations that give
themselves over to moral depravity and spiritual decline.
In 2 Peter 2:4-10, the apostle
Peter wrote about what is described in Psalm 2: nations raging, people
plotting, and kings and rulers coming up against the things of God - Yehovah.
Peter spoke of people in the days of Lot who felt distressed over the sensual
conduct in their society. Similarly, many of us become stressed when we
encounter things in the news, media, and culture.
Peter also used the phrase
“tormenting his righteous soul over their lawless deeds.” We also might have
that same spirit of being tormented in our souls. In Noah’s day, society was
indulging in the lust of defiling passions and despising godly authority.
Today, we see this same rampant disregard for the authorities that God -
Yehovah establishes, whether it’s societal, governmental, or religious.
Navigating Troubling Times
Together, Psalms 1 and 2
illustrate how to navigate troubling times. These two psalms serve as an
introduction to the entire book of Psalms. Psalm 1 addresses personal rebellion
and those who walk in wickedness and unrighteousness. It warns not to stand,
sit, or walk with the wicked but to come out from among them. It speaks to us
on an individual level, calling us to immerse ourselves in the word of God.
“Blessed is this man …his delight is in the law of Yehovah, and on His law he
meditates day and night” (Psalm 1:1-2).
Psalm 2 addresses evil on a
national or global level. It speaks not only about what is happening in our
hearts but also about a national unrighteousness or vehemence against God -
Yehovah. While Psalm 1 deals with the word, Psalm 2 is about the world.
Interestingly, if we delight in the word of God as directed in Psalm 1, it sets
our hearts on a right trajectory to face the world’s difficulties. In a
raging storm, we will begin to trust God - Yehovah, develop confidence, and
cultivate an unstoppable faith.
Are you living in fear? Do you
spend sleepless nights worrying about your children? Are you stressed over your
finances? Dig into the word of God. Follow Psalm 1, so that Psalm 2 will not be
so troubling. Yes, there will still be problems, but because of the lord
Messiah Jesus-Yeshua, we won’t be overwhelmed.
Christ, Ruler Over the Nations
In Psalm 2:1, the word “nations”
is plural. The psalmist is speaking of all the nations raging against God -
Yehovah, with people plotting in vain. In democratic societies, leaders are
voted in by the people. Often, we get what we deserve by supporting and voting
for ungodly leaders. Scriptures in the Old Testament describe how God’s –
Yehovah’s people clamored for a priest or ruler who would only tell them what
they wanted to hear.
The word “set” in Psalm 2:2
means rooted or immovable. These leaders opposed God - Yehovah and shared their
counsel to diminish or reject God - Yehovah. They set up laws and mandates to
restrict the freedom of God’s – Yehovah’s people, plotting “against Yehovah and
His Anointed.” Who is Yehovah? God = Yehovah most high, and His anointed one is
His Son, the Messiah Jesus - Yeshua. Even before the Messiah Jesus-Yeshua was
born, this psalm was a picture of what was to come. King David probably
originally authored it during a time of great difficulty. It can also apply to
our present-day struggles. Yet this is not just about David or us; it’s about
the King, the Messiah Jesus-Yeshua, and how the world wants to accuse and
diminish him.
Today, if the Messiah is allowed
in society, it’s only in the personal lives of people, not in the public
square. Yehovah Elohim - God will have none of this! People may plot against
him, but it is in vain. They may set themselves against God - Yehovah, but they
cannot win. They have no power, authority, or lasting impact compared to what
God - Yehovah and His power have for us.
Psalm 2:3 is a picture of people
breaking free from their chains. There is no restriction; they are living an
unrestrained life. Now God’s – Yehovah’s laws are never oppressive, but what
binds us is sin. As a result, we see the deception. They want to stay bound in
their sin but be free from the light yoke of Jesus - Yeshua. They are plotting
in vain and taking counsel against the things of Yehovah. Yet God - Yehovah
determined that all their plans would be unsuccessful, and although they
counseled together to come against the Messiah, God - Yehovah continued His
plan. The good news is that God - Yehovah always has His turn. While the world
may rage, He patiently endures. At the time of His choosing, He says, “Now I am
going to speak. I will have my rule.”
A Merciful God - Elohim
Today, it may seem as though God
- Yehovah is allowing things to happen. In our own judgment, we might stand
against abortion or how transgenderism is being advocated for in schools. We
want to stop these things, so why does God - Yehovah allow them to occur? How
can we trust God - Yehovah when he seems to be too long-suffering with the
problems around the world?
We know that a day of judgment
is coming. On that day, God - Yehovah will say, “Enough is enough!” However,
God - Yehovah holds off His judgment. He is patient and enduring, not willing
that any should perish, but that all would come to repentance (see 2 Peter
3:9). He allows time for us to preach the gospel of Jesus–Yeshua the Messiah so
that nations might come to the lord Jesus-Yeshua. He desires that hundreds,
thousands, even millions of people would be welcomed into the family of God -
Yehovah. He will bring His wrath and judgment, but that is in the future.
Praise God - Yehovah for His patience and mercy.
Learning to Trust
Would it be better if God -
Yehovah just took away the crisis? No, not for our spiritual growth. In times
of crisis, we develop our spiritual muscles and learn how to battle through
trials and tribulations. If we learn how to trust God - Yehovah in times of
chaos, He will raise a people who delight in the law of Yehovah. We will be
part of God’s – Yehovah’s kingdom plan, as it is written: “As for me, I have
set my King on Zion, my holy hill” (Psalm 2:6).
Today, Jesus–Yeshua the Messiah is
seated and established as ruler and king.
Let the world rage. Let the government, news, social media, teachers,
professors, and even fallen pastors say what they want to try to diminish God -
Yehovah. They will never succeed because God - Yehovah answers: “I have set my
King on Zion, my holy hill.”
Live out Psalm 1. Delight in His
word and trust Him with your whole heart. When you live in the raging world of
Psalm 2, you will not be anxious, fearful, or overwhelmed. Cast all your care
upon Him, for He cares for you (see 1 Peter 5:7). Be shining examples of the
lord Messiah Jesus-Yeshua and pillars of his peace. Although the world’s raging
may increase, our trust is in God’s – Yehovah’s heritage, His Son, the Messiah Jesus
- Yeshua. He will rule and reign for eternity. Amen.
Key Takeaways:
- Understand that the world is in chaos
because of sin and rebellion against God - Yehovah.
- Delight in God’s – Yehovah’s word and
develop confidence in Him, building spiritual resilience.
- Believe that God -
Yehovah is shaking everything and is sovereignly working His plan out
despite the chaos.
Written by Gary Wilkerson and edited by Bruce Lyon
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