HE WINS (Psalm 2)

There are some moments in the history of sports that are almost too good to be true. They are usually last second, game winning plays in which the impossible just seems to come together for one team to prevail over another. All the momentum is going one way and then in an instant it radically shifts and a winner is declared.

Today in Psalm two I was reminded that all of history is on a course to see Jesus Christ return and reign over all the earth. Throughout the Old Testament we see battles won by the Lord. Time and time again Israel is almost defeated, but then the Lord does something! He drowns an Egyptian Army, He causes a thunderstorm to soften the ground and bog down the chariot wheels, he causes confusion in the army and they fight against themselves, etc., etc. We see all of these small seemingly impossible victories over and over again through the Old Testament so we will be ready because there will be a time where it will happen again, this time, once and for all time.

To be sure in our generation there will be those who set their hopes and hearts against Jesus and it may even seem like for a moment they have all the momentum. There is persecution of Christians going on around the world today, but we don’t lose heart because we know He is coming. We may feel for a moment like we are losing with wayward children, declining health, relational stress. Yet if I hoped in my own strength, or our government, or even a billionaire to save the day, my hope is genuinely misplaced. Yet to trust the Lord in the midst of whatever we are going through, we are doing the right thing. It may seem dark, but the dawn is coming!

Prayer

Father, thank you for the encouragement from your word that Jesus Christ is returning and He will set all things right. I thank you that the injustices that we face will one day be set right in you. We put our trust in you and look forward to the day when your kingdom will come in its fullness. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Scripture

[Psalm 2:1-12 NKJV] 1 Why do the nations rage, And the people plot a vain thing? 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 break Their bonds in pieces And cast away Their cords from us.” 4 He who sits in the heavens shall laugh; The Lord shall hold them in derision. 5 Then He shall speak to them in His wrath, And distress them in His deep displeasure: 6 “Yet I have set My King On My holy hill of Zion.” 7 “I will declare the decree: The LORD has said to Me, ‘You [are] My Son, Today I have begotten You. 8 Ask of Me, and I will give [You] The nations [for] Your inheritance, And the ends of the earth [for] Your possession. 9 You shall break them with a rod of iron; You shall dash them to pieces like a potter’s vessel.’ ” 10 Now therefore, be wise, O kings; Be instructed, you judges 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, When His wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed [are] all those who put their trust in Him.

There was a moment in my life when I was the new kid in town and didn’t have any friends. I was desperate to make a connection and unfortunately the group of kids I connected with weren’t a great influence on me. When I read Psalm 1 this morning, I remember about how I went down this first path for a little while. I made compromises in my life based on the word of my peers rather than the word of God. In my case it lead me to a scary place and if it wasn’t for the grace of God I shudder to think what could have happened to me if I stayed on that path.

I’ve also walked down the path of being delighted in the Law of the Lord. Indeed, that’s a big part of what this blog is about. My life is so much better when I delight in God’s Word.

Biblical meditation is different than Eastern Meditation. Eastern Meditation is mind emptying. Biblical meditation is a mind saturating thing. It’s like a dog with a bone he keeps going back to chewing over and over again until he’s devoured every last part. That kind of meditation applied to the Word of God is what brings blessing into our lives.

There is a storehouse of biblical knowledge for those who delight in the word of God. Knowledge not just about God, but knowledge of God. The more we read, understand, trust, and obey God’s word (put it into practice), the more we grow. Even in the dry and difficult seasons we aren’t left without hope, encouragement, truth, and joy.

Father, Thank you for your word today in Psalm 1. I’ve seen and testify to the truth of this in my life. Thank you for the joy and fellowship that is found in reading your word in community, discussing it, and applying it to our lives. I ask that I would be delighted in your Law today. In Jesus Name, Amen.

[Psa 1:1-6 NKJV] 1 Blessed [is] the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; 2 But his delight [is] in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night. 3 He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper. 4 The ungodly [are] not so, But [are] like the chaff which the wind drives away. 5 Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, Nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. 6 For the LORD knows the way of the righteous, But the way of the ungodly shall perish.

I’m reading and blogging the Psalms Through The Summer. I’d love for you to join me. You can find out a little more here.