Why do the nations rage and the people plot a vain thing? The older this sickly world gets, the more I think of Psalm 2.
Around the time of posting this I read where a journalist quipped that a certain individual was “richer than God.” I understand that it was a typical hyperbolic statement. Yet we frequently see celebrities aggrandizing themselves over God. This world, in fact, rages against God’s Laws.
Not long ago, a former governor attributed his success as being from his own undertaking rather than God’s providence. And I’ve been told several times that we (modern humans) are like gods because of our technological achievements. Yet here we are fretting about pandemics and future climate catastrophes.
Why do the nations rage?
Psalm 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, saying, “Let us break their bonds in pieces and cast away their cords from us.”
He who sits in the heavens shall laugh; The Lord shall hold them in derision. 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.”
“I will declare the decree: The LORD has said to Me, `You are My Son, Today I have begotten You. Ask of Me, and I will give You The nations for Your inheritance, And the ends of the earth for Your possession. You shall break them with a rod of iron; You shall dash them to pieces like a potter’s vessel.'”
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. Blessed are all those who put their trust in Him. Psalm 2:1-12
Nebuchadnezzar
John Walvoord wrote about Nebuchadnezzar’s pride and fall HERE. The story is an important reminder for these days.
All this came upon King Nebuchadnezzar. At the end of the twelve months he was walking about the royal palace of Babylon. The king spoke, saying, “Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for a royal dwelling by my mighty power and for the honor of my majesty?”
While the word was still in the king’s mouth, a voice fell from heaven: “King Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is spoken: the kingdom has departed from you! And they shall drive you from men, and your dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field. They shall make you eat grass like oxen; and seven times shall pass over you, until you know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever He chooses.” Dan 4:28-32
Herod
Herod epitomized what is found in Psalm 2. He wasn’t a god and he died, just like all other men who demanded worship. But God is eternal and still on His throne. The following verses put things into perspective…
Now Herod had been very angry with the people of Tyre and Sidon; but they came to him with one accord, and having made Blastus the king’s personal aide their friend, they asked for peace, because their country was supplied with food by the king’s country.
So on a set day Herod – arrayed in royal apparel – sat on his throne and gave an oration to them. And the people kept shouting, “The voice of a god and not of a man!”
Then immediately an angel of the Lord struck him, because he did not give glory to God. And he was eaten by worms and died. Acts 12:20-23
Let us give glory to God alone. Barring Christ’s return, we’ll all die one day. No governor, king, scientist or deified celebrity can change that. They can’t help themselves let alone us. But God will raise us up if we put our faith in His Son.
And since we have the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, “I believed and therefore I spoke,” we also believe and therefore speak, knowing that He who raised up the Lord Jesus will also raise us up with Jesus, and will present us with you. For all things are for your sakes, that grace, having spread through the many, may cause thanksgiving to abound to the glory of God. 2 Cor 4:13-15
Maranatha!
Further reading
When the Wicked Seem to Flourish: Psalm 73
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