What Sort Of World Is This?
Bible Study
A Psalm for Every Sigh
Finding Your Song in God's Word
Object:
Why do the nations conspire and the peoples plot in vain?
-- Psalm 2:1
The Declaration of Independence guarantees Americans "the pursuit of happiness," and we live in the cultural scramble to attain it. Is it in marriage? Singleness? How much money does it take? Will I need a new car? A better job? Children?
The psalms have much to say here. They begin with the word, "Blessed," which means "happy, the state of utmost bliss."
Psalm 1 teaches some are happy and some are not. Vertical people live life in reference to God and are blessed. Horizontal people ignore God and disintegrate in despair.
Psalm 2 explains more of the world we live in, giving three views of earth.
1. The Nations Rage
2. God In Heaven Laughs
3. God's Children Serve Him
The conclusion? Those who take refuge in him are "blessed." There's that word again -- "happy."
Let's go deeper.
Two Questions
In trying to understand his world, the psalmist asks two questions. The first is, "Why do the nations rage?" Why do big groups (nations) rage? In Hebrews, "rage" is a stormy sea, restless, roaring, and crashing. Why is there so much international conflict?
He's trying to relate faith to foreign policy. How refreshing! The poet is not just concerned with his personal health or kids or finances, but with the family of man -- war, injustice, genocide, or nuclear proliferation. How can one be happy in such a world?
Today, we're a little different. If we can just get the next election to go right, if North Korea will come to the bargaining table, if we can extract our troops from the Middle East, then things will be okay, I can relax and be happy.
The second question he asks is "Why do people plot in vain?" Why do so many individuals stir through life so vainly, so emptily, so confused? Indeed! Divorce, low self-esteem, depression, joblessness, and bouncing from one religion to another -- we live lives like a letter addressed to nowhere.
Three Reasons
The psalmist inquires about international conflict and individual confusion. He lists the causes for such a sorry state of affairs. He cites three:
1. There is leadership in society against God. "The kings take their stand against God."
2. There is antagonism to the lordship of Christ. "Rulers take counsel against the Lord."
3. We have a fatal attraction to lawlessness. "Let us throw off their chains."
Years ago, my three preschool children disobeyed their mother. She told them, "Just wait till your father gets home." When I drove up, I found the driveway blockaded with their toys! And the Bible is saying all humanity is in rebellion against God and his rule, and his law.
In Heaven
The psalmist looks away from this turbulent world to more serene places -- to God in heaven. There he recognizes the superiority of God over all kings.
* He understands God is sovereign, in control, unrivaled.
* He sees God laughing securely as sinners try to assail his reign.
* He sees God speaking clearly his truth.
* He sees God select Messiah to sit on the throne of the universe forever.
And this sweet psalmist of Israel turns to give advice in verse 10. He writes, "Now, therefore...." It is a call to you and to me to join God in his labors. How?
We do so by warning people, "Be warned, O rulers of the earth. There is a God. You are not him."
We call people to love God with their minds -- "Now, therefore, O King, be wise...."
We call people to love God with their will -- "Serve the Lord with fear." We call everyone to love God emotionally -- "Kiss the Son."
The result is happiness. "Blessed are all those who take refuge in him." "Refuge" means a safe place or security. In this troubled world, we find in God a dependable safety.
Conclusion
The psalm calls us from viewing our world as muddy-eyed pessimists. "Woe!" "Confusion!" "War!" "All is lost!"
Likewise, we are not starry-eyed optimists. "We can do this! Just need a little more time!"
Rather, we are balanced between the two extremes -- up to our armpits in people and their problems at home, in church, and internationally. But we are looking to Christ, and to his coming, for a remedy.
Allow me to close with a question. Since Jesus is the only sovereign of the universe and he will break all pretenders like an iron rod breaks a clay pot, can he leave you or me out?
Suggested Prayer
Lord, I bow! Forgive! Rule, Lord Jesus! Amen.
-- Psalm 2:1
The Declaration of Independence guarantees Americans "the pursuit of happiness," and we live in the cultural scramble to attain it. Is it in marriage? Singleness? How much money does it take? Will I need a new car? A better job? Children?
The psalms have much to say here. They begin with the word, "Blessed," which means "happy, the state of utmost bliss."
Psalm 1 teaches some are happy and some are not. Vertical people live life in reference to God and are blessed. Horizontal people ignore God and disintegrate in despair.
Psalm 2 explains more of the world we live in, giving three views of earth.
1. The Nations Rage
2. God In Heaven Laughs
3. God's Children Serve Him
The conclusion? Those who take refuge in him are "blessed." There's that word again -- "happy."
Let's go deeper.
Two Questions
In trying to understand his world, the psalmist asks two questions. The first is, "Why do the nations rage?" Why do big groups (nations) rage? In Hebrews, "rage" is a stormy sea, restless, roaring, and crashing. Why is there so much international conflict?
He's trying to relate faith to foreign policy. How refreshing! The poet is not just concerned with his personal health or kids or finances, but with the family of man -- war, injustice, genocide, or nuclear proliferation. How can one be happy in such a world?
Today, we're a little different. If we can just get the next election to go right, if North Korea will come to the bargaining table, if we can extract our troops from the Middle East, then things will be okay, I can relax and be happy.
The second question he asks is "Why do people plot in vain?" Why do so many individuals stir through life so vainly, so emptily, so confused? Indeed! Divorce, low self-esteem, depression, joblessness, and bouncing from one religion to another -- we live lives like a letter addressed to nowhere.
Three Reasons
The psalmist inquires about international conflict and individual confusion. He lists the causes for such a sorry state of affairs. He cites three:
1. There is leadership in society against God. "The kings take their stand against God."
2. There is antagonism to the lordship of Christ. "Rulers take counsel against the Lord."
3. We have a fatal attraction to lawlessness. "Let us throw off their chains."
Years ago, my three preschool children disobeyed their mother. She told them, "Just wait till your father gets home." When I drove up, I found the driveway blockaded with their toys! And the Bible is saying all humanity is in rebellion against God and his rule, and his law.
In Heaven
The psalmist looks away from this turbulent world to more serene places -- to God in heaven. There he recognizes the superiority of God over all kings.
* He understands God is sovereign, in control, unrivaled.
* He sees God laughing securely as sinners try to assail his reign.
* He sees God speaking clearly his truth.
* He sees God select Messiah to sit on the throne of the universe forever.
And this sweet psalmist of Israel turns to give advice in verse 10. He writes, "Now, therefore...." It is a call to you and to me to join God in his labors. How?
We do so by warning people, "Be warned, O rulers of the earth. There is a God. You are not him."
We call people to love God with their minds -- "Now, therefore, O King, be wise...."
We call people to love God with their will -- "Serve the Lord with fear." We call everyone to love God emotionally -- "Kiss the Son."
The result is happiness. "Blessed are all those who take refuge in him." "Refuge" means a safe place or security. In this troubled world, we find in God a dependable safety.
Conclusion
The psalm calls us from viewing our world as muddy-eyed pessimists. "Woe!" "Confusion!" "War!" "All is lost!"
Likewise, we are not starry-eyed optimists. "We can do this! Just need a little more time!"
Rather, we are balanced between the two extremes -- up to our armpits in people and their problems at home, in church, and internationally. But we are looking to Christ, and to his coming, for a remedy.
Allow me to close with a question. Since Jesus is the only sovereign of the universe and he will break all pretenders like an iron rod breaks a clay pot, can he leave you or me out?
Suggested Prayer
Lord, I bow! Forgive! Rule, Lord Jesus! Amen.
