Christians in America have been dismayed by many recent events in our country, the Supreme Court decision regarding same-sex marriage prominent among them.  It is easy to feel overwhelmed by what seems to be an unrelenting tide of ungodliness, and to throw up one’s hands and say like the Psalmist did at one point: “If the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?” (11:3)  But all is not lost.  Psalm 2 reminds us of that.

The Psalm begins by asking: “Why are the nations in an uproar, and the peoples devising a vain thing?  The kings of the earth take their stand, and the rulers take counsel together against the LORD and against His Anointed, saying, ‘Let us tear their fetters apart and cast away their cords from us.'”  These words are as applicable as the most recent media headlines.  Wordly leaders are attempting to “cast away” God’s standards of morality; insisting that they are free to live and do as they please.  They would tear the “fetters” of Biblical standards which they think restrain them, and instead do what feels right in their own eyes, with no accountability to God.  Verses 2 & 3 seem to be unfolding before our very eyes.

But verse 4 reminds us that God is not panicking in heaven: “He who sits in the heavens laughs. The Lord scoffs at them.”  Not only is He unimpressed by their rebellion against His word, He will soon punish it: “Then He will speak to them in His anger, and terrify them in His fury.”  The proud countenances of those who are currently so confident in their rebellion against God will soon be terrified by the furious wrath of the Lord of Hosts.

God has appointed His way for man, and that way is spelled out in His word. And it points to submission to God through Jesus Christ.  Verse 7 refers to this: “You are My Son …”.  God has given His Son authority over the earth, and although He came once to earth to suffer, He will return again to judge and reign.  His authority will not be up for a vote, or a human court ruling: “You shall break them with a rod of iron; You shall shatter them like earthenware.”

In light of that, there is one course for the wise person: do not join what appears to be a temporarily successful rebellion against the Sovereign of the Universe.  “Worship the LORD with reverence …. Do homage to the Son”.  Submit to God through His Son Jesus Christ. Remain faithful to the precepts He has given in His word, no matter what the cost.  The proud rebellion of this ungodly age will soon be crushed, and “His wrath may soon be kindled.”  There has been much discussion in the media about being on “the wrong side of history.”  Psalm 2 reminds us that the ultimate “wrong side of history” is to be found opposing God!

Christians today need the reminder of God’s sovereignty that Psalm 2 proclaims.  We need to read and study this Psalm, and we need to keep it in our hearts lest we be tempted to compromise His truth due to the pressures of an increasingly ungodly age.  I am currently memorizing Psalm 2, and I hope that you will commit to join me in that endeavor.  Things may get worse before they get better here on earth for God’s people, and we need to hide in our hearts this reminder of the ultimate outcome of history:

Psalm 2 (NASB)
:1 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, saying,
: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, saying,
: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, “You are my Son, today I have begotten You.
:8 Ask of Me, and I will surely give the nations as Your inheritance, and the very ends of the earth as Your possession.
:9 You shall break them with a rod of iron. You shall 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, that He not become angry with you, and you perish in the way, for His wrath may soon be kindled.  How blessed are all who take refuge in Him!