A Vain Thing (Ps 2)

“Why do the nations rage, and the people plot a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord and against His Anointed [Christ]” (vs1-2)

It is vain to think we can fight God.  He says, “Why do the nations rage, and the people plot a vain thing? (vs1) I received an email this week questioning the scriptures on marriage, challenging God with human opinion.  I rejoiced to receive another email from the same person, surrendering to God in sexual sin, asking if there was forgiveness.  I rejoiced to speak of mercy, and God does too, delighting in saving sinners (Micah 7:18; Luke 15).  Thus, we can perish fighting Christ, or seeing that we've been doing that, we can be saved mercifully.  Why fight a God you can't whip, when He's merciful to give you everything and bring you to heaven by His Spirit and the blood of His Son?  Why fight salvation, judging YOURSELF unworthy of eternal life?  Christ reigns.

It doesn't matter how many hands join together.  Jesus is God's exalted, anointed Son. We read, “The kings of the earth set themselves, And the rulers take counsel together, Against the LORD and against His Anointed, saying, 'Let us break their bonds in pieces and cast away their cords from us” (vs2-3).  Nothing can dethrone God, and He's elevated the Son for saving the world. Don't fight the unbeatable and holy One.

You can do nothing to break His rule in the universe, or in His body that He created, even yours.  Resistance is laughable and foolish. He mocks His foes in their folly. We read, “He who sits in the heavens shall laugh; the Lord shall hold them in derision” (vs4). Be wiser than to fight God Almighty, the sustaining Creator and Judge of all.

How can you defeat God?  He rules every decision, predestines the eternal salvation of many, and uses all rebellion for His glory. And, He is too mighty to war against (Ps 76:10).  He persuades us by mocking disobedience, foreshadowing the painful end that we must endure. Don't be foolish!

God is angry with the wicked.  Don't think you can resist His Son's blood and be spared. He says, “Then He shall speak to them in His wrath, and distress them in His deep displeasure: 'Yet I have set My King On My holy hill of Zion (vs5-6)." When God's done SO MUCH in Christ to save, it's because without Christ the soul is hell bound justly and forever.  He didn't give the Son to smile at those who reject Him, but He'll eternally punish all who refuse His feast.  It is, “Be saved or damned by the Lord Jesus”.  No middle ground exists. 

Christ is the eternal Son, equal with the Father in every way, the Creator of all.  Yet, 2000 years ago, He was BORN into this world human, perfectly uniting the eternal with the body and soul prepared Him. He lived without sin, fully human, and thus dependent on God. We read, “I will declare the decree: the Lord has said to Me, You are My Son, today I have begotten You” (vs7).  This Son honored the Father, put away sins, and His throne is God's rightful reward.  Don't battle the Son who saves. 

The world and eternity are His by right and reward. The Father says, “Ask of me, and I will give You the nations for Your inheritance, and the ends of the earth for Your possession (vs8).”  As God, He rules and owns all, but as Christ, He rules because He saves, having all power to do His will (John 17:2-3).  Rejoice in One that is mighty to save.  Rejoice that He bids you to salvation, rather than damnation.

He'll destroy the world very soon.  We read, “You shall break them with a rod of iron; You shall dash them to pieces like a potter's vessel” (vs9). He has made CLEAR the reasons to bow:  He's the exalted Son, His Son is the Savior who can't be defeated, and He'll punish His foes in hell.  He reasons to us to believe rather than die. 

Show Him the respect that He's do. He says, “Now therefore, be wise, O kings; be instructed, you judges of the earth. Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, lest He be angry, and you perish in the way, when His wrath is kindled but a little” (vs10-12).  Serve Him with fear of offending Him, believing on Him to honor Him, rather than looking upon Him as toothless and full of empty threats.  Believe unto obedience! 

Trusting Him is the wisest thing in eternity, the one important thing forever, the only point of eternal significance, the only salvation. He says, “Blessed are all those who put their trust in Him” (vs12).  Don't fear.  You're blessed in doing what mankind still fights against until they perish.  Only you who believe are blessed of God.