Kings and rulers standing in opposition to Christ: it’s a problem as old as the psalter and as new as this morning’s headlines. And it’s easy to understand their hostility, for as verse 3 makes clear, they look at the Law of the Lord as nothing more than fetters and cords, moral and ethical rules that limit their ability to do what they want. Yes, they want to be the ones making the laws and forcing all the rest of us to obey them. So it’s no wonder that many governments both ancient and modern have rejected the claims of Christ, and that the Church has often suffered greatly as a result.
So, how should Christians respond to the powerful people who continue to bully and threaten us because of our faith? Well, instead of cowering in fear, maybe we should look at them the way God does: with ridicule (verse 4). For isn’t it silly for any mere human being, no matter how wealthy or powerful, to plot against the One Who sits in the heavens? It’s like a little boy with a popgun trying to stop a tank: no wonder the Lord scoffs at their absurd pretentions.
But if we shouldn’t be afraid, we also don’t need to lash out at those proud and pompous people who pit themselves against the Lord. For God the Father has already installed Jesus, the begotten Son of God, as His King (verse 6). And the Father has already given Jesus all power over all the nations and all their rulers, regardless of what anyone may think to the contrary (verse 8; see also Matthew 28:18). And Jesus is the One Who will eventually crush all those who dare to defy His absolute authority, smashing their pride and pretense as easily as we can shatter a clay pot with an iron bar.
No, we have no need either to fear or hate those who are doing something so foolish, so suicidal as to shake their puny fists at King Jesus. Instead, we simply need to do the same thing He calls all the world to do: to worship the Lord in reverence and take refuge in His mighty power (verses 11 and 12), claiming the gracious pardon He offers to all who trust in Him. And then we can leave the judgment of the wicked, no matter how fearsome they might seem to be, to Him.
Psalm 2 (NASB)
Why are the nations in an uproar, And the peoples devising a vain thing?
2 The kings of the earth take their stand, And the rulers take counsel together Against the LORD and against His Anointed:
3 “Let us tear their fetters apart, And cast away their cords 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:
6 “But as for Me, I have installed My King Upon Zion, My holy mountain.”
7 “I will surely tell of the decree of the LORD: He said to Me, ‘Thou art My Son, Today I have begotten Thee.
8 ‘Ask of Me, and I will surely give the nations as Thine inheritance, And the very ends of the earth as Thy possession.
9 ‘Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron, Thou shalt shatter them like earthenware.'”
10 Now therefore, O kings, show discernment; Take warning, O judges of the earth.
11 Worship the LORD with reverence, And rejoice with trembling.
12 Do homage to the Son, lest He become angry, and you perish in the way, For His wrath may soon be kindled. How blessed are all who take refuge in Him!
