{"id":869,"date":"2020-10-11T23:43:38","date_gmt":"2020-10-11T23:43:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.local.net\/?page_id=869"},"modified":"2020-10-11T23:43:38","modified_gmt":"2020-10-11T23:43:38","slug":"psalm-2","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/blog.gracewalk.net\/?page_id=869","title":{"rendered":"Psalm 2"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Psalm 2\u00a0 <\/strong>A Messianic type Psalm of hope of the Messiah to come. David may have composed this after taking Jerusalem from the Jebusites (2 Samuel 5:7-9). The disciples quote this psalm in Acts 4:25-28 as a promise and prophecy of the coming kingdom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1 Why do the nations conspire and people plot in vain?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2 The kings of the earth rise up and the rulers band together against the Lord and against his anointed, saying,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3\u201cLet us break their chains and throw off their shackles.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4 The One enthroned in heaven laughs;the Lord scoffs at them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5 He rebukes them in his anger and terrifies them in his wrath, saying,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

6\u201cI have installed my king on Zion, my holy mountain.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

7 I will proclaim the Lord\u2019s decree: He said to me, \u201cYou are my son; today I have become your father.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

8 Ask me,and I will make the nations your inheritance, the ends of the earth your possession.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

9 You will break them with a rod of iron; you will dash them to pieces like pottery.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

10 Therefore, you kings, be wise; be warned, you rulers of the earth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

11 Serve the Lord with fear and celebrate his rule with trembling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

12 Kiss his son, or he will be angry and your way will lead to your destruction, for his wrath can flare up in a moment. Blessed are all who take refuge in him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

SECTIONS<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

David speaks of rebellion and hatred against God’s anointed, who is Jesus. He can\u2019t believe that  nations would try something that was sure to fail. It was senseless to reject God as ruler. Romans 1:20-32 says God\u2019s invisible qualities-his eternal power and divine nature have been clearly seen… so people are without excuse.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Note Contrast: The people in the first part of Psalm 1 delight<\/em> in the law, but the people in the first part of Psalm 2 defy t<\/em>he law.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Section I: the Nations Resistance  (Human Rebellion)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Section II The Lord\u2019s Reaction & Reply (Divine Reaction)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Section III the Messiahs Response  (Divine Rule)<\/em>  -decree You are my Son=authority given to Jesus<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Section IV the Psalmist\u2019s Reproach  (Human Responsibility)-to kings & judges be wise, instructed, serve Lord with fear, rejoice w\/trembling, kiss the Son, blessed are those who take refuge in him<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Theme: <\/u><\/strong>It\u2019s folly to resist the Lord<\/p>\n\n\n\n

QUESTIONS<\/u><\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What questions does David ask?  Do you think he knows the answer? Have you ever asked the same question(s)?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are the rulers of the earth doing? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is the state of mind of the worldly rulers of the earth just before Jesus returns?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are they saying? What do they mean when they say \u201clet us cast off…\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do you see rulers today doing the same? How do those in authority today come against Jesus?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What do you see in our society today that is out of fellowship with God?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is the Lord\u2019s response to what he sees happening?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Were you surprised by the Lord\u2019s reaction of laughing? Why do you think he laughs?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What part of this psalm shows it is a Messianic psalm- one of the future Messiah?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Can you find a verse in the New Testament that correlates to this?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What message is given to the kings to the earth?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What does \u201cServe the Lord with fear\u201d mean to you?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What does \u201crejoice with trembling mean to you?\u201d (bible studies differ in their interpretations so there is no wrong or right answer)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are we, as Christians, to do?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why are people without excuse for not believing in God. What do you think is clearly seen  about God that Paul would say this in Romans 1:20-32 \u201cGod\u2019s eternal power and divine nature=have been clearly seen… so people are without excuse.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Can you find a verse in the bible where God calls Jesus \u201cMy beloved Son?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ADDITIONAL <\/u><\/span>VERSES<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Psalm 33:10 The LORD frustrates the plans of the nations; He thwarts the devices of the peoples.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Psalm 46:6 Nations rage, kingdoms crumble; the earth melts when He lifts His voice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Revelation 11:18 The nations were enraged, and Your wrath has come. The time has come to judge the dead, and to reward Your servants, the prophets and saints, and those who fear Your name, both small and great, and to destroy those who destroy the earth.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Revelation 6:16 And they said to the mountains and the rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of the One seated on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jeremiah 17:7 But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is Him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ONLINE STUDY OF PSALMS <\/u>2 <\/strong>https:\/\/christinprophecy.org\/articles\/the-message-of-psalm-2\/<\/strong><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Note: I summarize and abbreviate. For whole article see website above<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

As the world disintegrates before our eyes, people are desperately seeking security. They\u2019re buying guns and securing their houses to protect themselves against the violence of muggers. They\u2019re frightened by plagues and the potential for devastating civil disorder. And lurking in the background is the possibility of nuclear holocaust. All the while, the people go on spending binges & piling up debt which is heading for  a colossal worldwide economic collapse. The news is filled with reports of increasing violence \u2014 muggings, kidnappings, child abuse, terrorism, wars, and rumors of wars. We\u2019re bombarded with natural calamities like earthquakes, famines, hurricanes, floods, and fires, increasing immorality, and new diseases that threaten our existence. Luke 21:25-26 \u201cAnd there will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and upon the earth dismay among nations\u2026 men fainting from fear and the expectation of the things which are coming upon the world; for the powers of the heavens will be shaken\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Psalm 2 is just as relevant as if it were written yesterday. Christians ask, \u201cIs God in control? Is evil going to triumph? Is there any hope?\u201d The good news is that God gave the answers when He spoke to David. David asks a rhetorical question. Today we might ask, \u201cLord, why is it that everywhere I look in the world the nations are in turmoil? Why are they always devising some vain thing for our glory not yours?\u00a0 The tower of Babel, the Roman Empire, the League of Nations, and the United Nations are man lifting himself up. Why is it that the presidents, prime ministers, and kings of the earth are always conspiring against You and Your Anointed One, Jesus? They say \u2018Let\u2019s put aside the limitations of God and do what we please!’ The nations of the world today are still in full revolt against the Lord.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rhetorical questions provoke thought & motivate us to think about the the world in which we live. David knew the answers to the questions because they are in the book of Genesis. God gave Adam and Eve an incredible gift (something that Hitler & Stalin yearned for) dominion over the earth (Genesis 1:27-28). But they lost it when they rebelled against God. Satan stole the dominion that was intended for Man.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Satan became the prince of this earth. Jesus referred to him as \u201cthe ruler of this world\u201d (John 12:31). That\u2019s why Satan could tempt Jesus by offering Him all the kingdoms of the world if Jesus would worship him (Matthew 4:8-10). That wouldn\u2019t have been legitimate if the kingdoms weren\u2019t under Satan\u2019s rule. John said that \u201cthe whole world lies in the power of the evil one\u201d (1 John 5:19). The Cross sealed Satan\u2019s fate, which won\u2019t  come until Jesus returns (Romans 16:20). The fact that Satan rules as the prince of this earth doesn\u2019t mean God has lost control. Satan must operate in limits prescribed by God.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the book of Job, Satan asks God\u2019s permission to afflict Job (Job 1:6-11). God gives him permission to touch all that Job has but denies him permission to take Job\u2019s life (Job 1:12). Satan is further limited by the Cross, for since that time believers have been indwelt by the Holy Spirit, and \u201cHe who is in us is greater than he who is in the world\u201d (1 John 4:4).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Daniel makes it clear that God is the one who raises up nations and puts them down. \u201cHe [God] removes kings and establishes kings\u201d (Daniel 2:21). Paul affirms this when he speaks of \u201cgoverning authorities\u201d and states having no authority except from God\u201d (Romans 13:1). But the fact is that the moment God puts people in positions of governing authority, Satan comes against them and tries in every way to corrupt and compromise them so that they end up serving Satan\u2019s purposes. It doesn\u2019t matter whether they are a school board member, governor, or president, Satan attempts to control all governing authorities. That\u2019s why we\u2019re pray all who are in authority.\u201d (1 Timothy 2:1-2).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For example, Satan inspired King Herod to slaughter all the babies of Bethlehem in an attempt to cut off the Messiah at His birth. Later, he orchestrates a conspiracy between governing authorities who hated each other. He brought together the Roman governor and the Jewish Sanhedrin. Through their joint efforts he accomplishes the murder of the Messiah on the cross. His triumph was short lived, for it was overcome by the victory of the resurrection. Now Satan relentlessly attacks God\u2019s sovereignty by persecution of Jesus\u2019 followers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A clear example of Satan\u2019s determination to exert his dominion in defiance of God\u2019s is in his opposition to the re-establishment of the nation of Israel. God promises that in the end times He\u2019ll gather the Jewish people from the four corners of the earth to the land of Israel (see Isaiah 11:10-12 and Ezekiel 36:22-37:12). His purpose is to work in the hearts of the Jews so that a remnant accept Jesus as Messiah (Zechariah 12:10, 13:1 and Romans 9:27, 11:1-6, 25-32). Satan hates the Jewish people because God has used them to bless all the nations. Through the Jews, God gave the world the Scriptures and the Messiah. Satan wants to destroy the Jewish people so that God can\u2019t keep His promise. That\u2019s why Satan is orchestrating all the nations against Israel today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When I get outraged, I want to shout, \u201cHow long will You refrain from judging and avenging and send your Son to reign in glory and justice?\u201d (Revelation 6:10) But I remember what God is doing in Heaven while I fume over Satan\u2019s plots on this earth. When nations rebel against himm  God is laughing \u2014 not because He doesn\u2019t care, but because He has the world\u2019s events under control. God laughs for three reasons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. No matter what Satan does, God sees that it backfires in his face to the glory of Jesus.  Satan has to be the most frustrated personality on earth. All his schemes ultimately fail. All his plots unravel. The Cross is a classic example. Satan thought he had gained his greatest victory. But God tturned it into victory through the resurrection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In World War I Satan devised a conflict of unparalleled carnage, but God accomplished a spiritual purpose. He liberated Palestine from the Turks and delivered it to the British who then proclaimed it a homeland for the Jews. In World War II, God worked through the evil of Satan\u2019s Holocaust to prepare the Jewish people for their homeland. They came \u201cout of the Holocaust saying, \u201cWe are going to have our own land, our own nation.\u201d They began to return to Israel by the thousands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. God has appointed a day when He will deal with all the kingdoms of the earth and their political leaders by pouring out His wrath through the return of Jesus.This day of wrath is one of the best kept secrets in the universe. Satan doesn\u2019t want anyone to know about it. In his attempt to cover it up, he has created a false image of God that has been bought by both Christians and unbelievers-he wants us to believe God is a push-over.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On judgment day a push-over God will say\u201cI know you never accepted My Son as your Lord and Savior, but that\u2019s okay, because you were a lot better person than many others. So come into My kingdom.\u201d No such namby-pamby god exists. He is a cruel hoax created by Satan. All of us stand condemned before the true God, for \u201call of us like sheep have gone astray\u201d (Isaiah 53:6). Our only hope is through faith in Jesus (Romans 3:21-24). God does not grade on the curve. God cannot be deceived or mocked (Galatians 6:7).God is full of grace and mercy (Psalm 86:15), and He does not desire that any should perish (2 Peter 3:9). But he is also a God of perfect righteousness, holiness, and justice \u2014 and as such, he cannot accept sin. God must deal with sin, and He does so with either grace or wrath. (John 3:36).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3.\u201cGod speaks of a future event (he Millennial reign of Jesus) as if it was already accomplished (ps. 2:6) This manner of speaking of the future as if it were past is common in Bible prophecy. It\u2019s called \u201cproleptic\u201d speech and is characteristic of God in the Bible. We\u2019re on a time line but God isn\u2019t. He\u2019s outside of time. If he wills something, it\u2019s accomplished, whether or not it has yet to happen. God laughs at rebellious kingdoms\u00a0 because He has ordained that one day soon his Son will return as \u201cKing of kings and Lord of lords\u201d (Revelation 19:16) The kings of the earth are living on borrowed time. They plot and connive, but their fate is sealed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There\u2019s a popular belief that when Jesus returns the earth will burn up and cease to exist. That\u2019s not true because the Bible affirms that the earth is \u201ceternal\u201d (Psalm 148:6, Psalm 78:69, and Ecclesiastes 1:4). It\u2019s true that the earth will be radically changed by earthquakes and supernatural phenomena in the heavens (Revelation 6:12-13). Every island will be moved and every mountain lowered. (Revelation 6:14 and Isaiah 40:4).The earth will be refreshed. Deserts will bloom (Isaiah 35:1,6-7). Hills will \u201cdrip with sweet wine\u201d and \u201cflow with milk\u201d (Joel 3:18). Even the Dead Sea will come alive and teem with fish (Ezekiel 47:8-9).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The animal kingdom will be restored. We\u2019re told that carnivorous animals will become herbivorous. \u201cThe lion will eat straw like the ox\u201d (Isaiah 11:7). The animals will live in peace with each other and with man. \u201cThe wolf will dwell with the lamb\u201d (Isaiah 11:6), and a \u201cnursing child will play by the hole of the cobra\u201d because the cobra will no longer be poisonous (Isaiah 11:8).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the Millennium ends, the earth won\u2019t cease to exist. Instead, its fundamental nature will be changed again by fire. God will take the redeemed off this planet and put us in the New Jerusalem. We\u2019ll watch as the Lord burns away the pollution of Satan\u2019s last revolt. Then the Lord will reshape a perfected earth, (Revelation 21:1).He promised to give that redeemed planet to His Son and joint heirs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We\u2019re called to \u201cworship the Lord with reverence\u201d or \u201cserve the Lord with fear\u201d (Psalm 2:11). The Hebrew word is \u201cserve\u201d rather than \u201cworship.\u201d But the word worship emphasizes that our ultimate worship of the Lord is in how we serve Him. It\u2019s in what we do when we leave church and return to the world. Do those who come in contact with us recognize that we have been in the presence of the Lord?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A person rejoices with laughter, dancing or singing. What is rejoice with trembling? The good news is that the redeemed won\u2019t be judged for their sins. We\u2019ve already been judged of our sins at the Cross when all our sins \u2014 past, present, and future \u2014 were placed on Jesus. He received the wrath which we deserve.The Bible teaches that if you\u2019re covered by the blood of Jesus, your sins have been forgiven and forgotten (Isaiah 43:25 and Hebrews 8:12). They\u2019ve  been removed \u201cas far as the east is from the west\u201d (Psalm 103:12-13). Corrie ten Boom said, \u201cThe Lord has placed our sins in the deepest part of the ocean, and He has put up a sign that says, \u2018No Fishing!’\u201d (See Micah 7:19.)What does it mean for the Lord to \u201cforget\u201d our sins? It means they\u2019ll never be held against us again with regard to our eternal destiny.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So what will be the nature of our judgment stand before the Lord? This is what should cause us to tremble. We\u2019re going to be judged on our works, not<\/em> to determine our eternal destiny, but to determine our degrees of reward. This news comes as a great shock to most Christians who are unaware that their works have any significance. Others don\u2019t realize that there will be \u201cdegrees\u201d of reward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Paul says (1 Cor. 3:8) \u201ceach will receive his own reward according to his labor.\u201d All our works will be tested by the Lord to determine their quality (1 Corinthians 3:13). He says some will be saved with their tail feathers smoking! That\u2019s because their works won\u2019t stand the test of the Lord\u2019s \u201cfire\u201d (His judgment). He concludes, \u201cIf any man\u2019s work is burned up, he shall suffer loss; but he himself shall be saved, yet so as through fire\u201d (1 Corinthians 3:15). Jesus spoke about degrees of reward, \u201cBehold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to render to every man according to what he has done (Rev. 22:12). The starting point of deeds will be the gifts of the Spirit we received (1 Corinthians 12:7 and 1 Peter 4:10, Matthew 25:14-30). Are we using our gifts to advance the kingdom and serving God for his glory?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We are to \u201cdo homage to the Son?\u201d (Psalm 2:12). Literally, the Hebrew words say \u201cKiss the Son.\u201dFor years I wondered what those words meant. I consulted commentaries and found a lot of conjecture. One day, as I was reading Hosea, the Spirit impressed a verse on my heart that gave me the answer. Hosea has just finished preaching in a tour through Israel where he called people to repent of idolatry. But when he returns home, he finds a neighbor bowing down before a silver calf. Hosea cries, \u201cMen kiss calves!\u201d (Hosea 13:2) When I read that, the Spirit witnessed to my spirit. I thought of the words \u201cKiss the Son!\u201d Suddenly, this made complete sense to me. If Hosea were alive today he might say in modern English: \u201cEverywhere I go in this land I find men kissing CD\u2019s in the bank, chrome plated automobiles, and huge houses. I see men in love with money, power, and fame. I say to you, take all that the world has to offer, set it aside in a junk pile, and put God first in your lives. Fall in love with Jesus!\u201d That\u2019s what it means to \u201cKiss the Son!\u201d It is a call to commit your life to Jesus by falling in love with Him and putting Him first in your life \u2014 above career and family. It\u2019s a call to make Him the Lord of everything in your life \u2014 your family and job,hopes and dreams, thoughts and words, music, reading material, food, drink, recreation \u2014 everything!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By making Him your refuge, you\u2019ll be delivered from the wrath that is to come (Romans 5:9 and 1 Thessalonians 5:9), and you\u2019ll come to know the meaning of \u201cHow blessed are all who take refuge in Him!\u201d God is on His throne and is in control. The world may seem out of control, but we\u2019re witnessing the death throes of a worn-out world and the birth pangs of a new one. End time events may be fearful in nature. But believers can find peace and comfort in the assurance of Psalm 2 that Satan will be defeated and Jesus will triumph. Keep your eyes on Jesus. Rest in the confidence that while evil men scheme and Satan plots, God sits on His throne in Heaven and laughs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ANOTHER Psalm 2 study<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAnointed one\u201d in this study is not only refers to David but to Jesus. Jesus represents God and those who oppose Jesus oppose God. We can defy God and perish or we can surrender to him and be blessed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first three verses in Psalm 2 show the world at Jesus’ first coming and progressively lead up to His second coming.\u00a0 Here is what\u2019s behind the rage and conspiring –\u00a0 “Let us tear their fetters apart and cast away their cords from us!”\u00a0 They don’t want restraints. They don’t want rights and wrongs. God has given moral laws in His word for the benefit of humanity. He has given marriage between a man and a woman for the welfare of society. Yet God’s rules are seen here as “fetters” and “cords” to the world. A fetter is a chain used to restrain a prisoner, typically put around the ankles. This is how the commands of God are seen by this world. The world wants to do what they want to do. They say, \u201cWhy should I listen to your old fashioned ideas about laws and morality? \u201cThey don’t want to be accountable to any higher power. ‘Let us tear these fetters apart!’<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Atheist Jeremy Rifkin wrote, ‘We no longer feel ourselves to be ‘a guest in someone else’s home and therefore obliged to make our behaviour conform to a set of preexisting cosmic rules. It is our creation now. We make the rules. We establish the parameters of reality. We create the world, and because we do, we no longer feel beholden to outside forces. We no longer have to justify our behaviour, for we are now the architects of the universe. We are responsible to nothing outside ourselves, for we are the kingdom, the power, and the glory for ever and ever.’<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil.’ For everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come to the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. (John 3:19-20)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As Ray Comfort has said (probably commentating on this verse) ‘The more a nation gets into darkness, the more it’s going to hate the light. The more it’s going to run from the light. And we have a generation of people who have given themselves to darkness, and they’ve embraced atheism, because it gets them away from moral responsibility to God.’  G.K Chesterton said ‘it is often supposed that when people stop believing in God, they believe in nothing. Alas, it is worse than that. When they stop believing in God, they believe in anything.’ And to that we could add that having believed in anything, eventually, anything goes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We’ve heard more that enough from the world! Now we hear from Almighty God and see His reaction. This united opposition to God is pathetically laughably. He is supreme authority and power, the One who controls and works out all things according to His will. ( Eph 1:11)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The world wants to throw off all accountability to God. They want to call the shots. But God’s laughter will become anger. Mankind may want to be the kings and masters of their own destiny but God reminds them here, in His anger, that He has His King. And no other King will do!  ‘Away with Him, away with Him, crucify Him! We have no king but Caesar’ was the cry 2000 years ago. It’s a similar cry today in the Western world and it will, unfortunately, only increase as we approach the return of Jesus Christ. But God has His King! And He will install this King,upon Zion in Israel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Where are we in human history now? We are in verses 1-4. We have not hit verse 5 in human history yet. The wrath of God currently is the wrath of abandonment. God withdraws. He removes His hand of protection and restraint and allows people, societies and nations to reap what they sow. <\/strong>Verse 5, with the fury of God, is not upon us yet. But it will follow as sure as night follows day. And verse 6 will follow that. \u201cThe seventh angel sounded his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, which said: ‘The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he will reign for ever and ever.\u201d (Rev. 11:15) You shall break them with a rod of iron, You shall shatter them like earthenware.'(Ps. 2:9 )<\/p>\n\n\n\n

http:\/\/www.scripturestudies.com\/Vol1\/A2\/a2_psa.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Many who wouldn\u2019t unite on other grounds, unite against the Lord. For instance, during Christ’s life, the Sadducees and the Pharisees were often united in their opposition to Christ. Though, doctrinaly, they couldn\u2019t agree on much, they often tried to turn the crowds against Christ with their questions on doctrine. Herod and Pilate are another unlikely pair of allies against Christ. Concerning the day of Christ’s trial, Luke informs us: “That day Herod and Pilate became friends–before this they had been enemies” (Luke 23:12). According to Peter, the prophecy in this Psalm is partially fulfilled by Herod and Pilate’s opposition to Christ. In a prayer, after citing the first two verses of this Psalm, Peter points out: “Indeed Herod and Pontius Pilate met together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel in this city to conspire against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed” (Acts 4:27). Peter cited this Psalm in Acts 4 in order to comfort Christ’s disciples. He was making the point that the opposition to Christ and His disciples was prophesied by God. Herod and Pilate “did what Your power and will had decided beforehand should happen” (Acts 4:28). We should realize that God is in control, even when we face opposition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Serve the Lord with fear” – “The LORD Almighty is the one you are to regard as holy, he is the one you are to fear, he is the one you are to dread” (Isa. 8:13); Since you call on a Father who judges each man’s work impartially, live your lives as strangers here in reverent fear” (I Pet. 1:17).  Our lives should reflect that we fear the Lord. If we truly understand His power and sovereignty and His wrath, we\u2019ll do what He says.  It\u2019s our privilege to serve the Lord. Too many people think that they are doing God a favor by serving Him. Be aware of Gods\u2019 holiness. Recognize His mercy on one side (rejoicing) and His wrath on the other (trembling). We forget that we are being blessed by a God who demands righteousness and reverence. “Kiss the Son”-this kiss is a symbol of affection, homage and subjection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another Psalm 2 Reflection: <\/u><\/strong>(source: https:\/\/www.gotquestions.org\/fear-and-trembling.html<\/strong>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWork out your salvation with fear & trembling (Philippians 2:12-13). This text is often misused to instill fear into people, warning them that they can lose salvation. Paul doesn\u2019t mean that believers are to live in a continuous nervousness and anxiety. That would contradict his other teachings of confidence in the God who authors our salvation. The Greek word “fear” in this context can equally mean “reverence” or “respect.” Paul uses the same phrase in (2 Corinthians 7:15) where he refers to Titus as being encouraged by the Corinthians\u2019 reception of him \u201cwith fear and trembling,\u201d that is, with great humility and respect for his position as a minister of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Paul himself came to the Corinthian church in \u201cweakness and fear, and with much trembling\u201d (1 Corinthians 2:3), because he was mindful of the awesome nature of what he was doing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We\u2019re to work out our salvation in two ways: First, the Greek verb \u201cwork out\u201d means “to continually work to bring something to completion or fruition.” We do this by actively pursuing obedience in the process of sanctification, which Paul calls\u00a0 \u201cstraining\u201d and \u201cpressing on\u201d toward the goal of Christ-likeness (Philippians 3:13-14). The \u201ctrembling\u201d he experiences is the attitude Christians are to have\u2014a healthy fear of offending God through disobedience and an awe and respect for His majesty and holiness. “Trembling” can also refer to a shaking due to weakness, but this is a weakness which brings us to depend God. Obedience and submission to the God we revere and respect is our \u201creasonable service\u201d (Romans 12:1-2) And we work out our salvation by studying the Word of God\u2014where we renew our hearts and minds (Romans 12:1-2).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Light of Psalm 2<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

 a) We should not give up speaking and praying:  God calls men to repent and be reconciled to God.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0b) We need discernment. We must not change what the church believes and teaches to fit our current culture because it is the very word of God.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0c) Give God priority and love him above all.\u00a0 Give him the place of honor in your life as \u201cking.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

d) Don\u2019t give up hope: \u201chow blessed are those who take refuge in him.\u201d Despite all the craziness that is, and that will come, never give up hope! There\u2019s a glorious future for God\u2019s people. Can you remember when the two men on the road to Emmaus lost hope? Jesus came along side them and asked what they were talking about. They said: ‘The chief priests and our rulers handed him (Jesus) over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him;\u00a0 but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel.\u201d They were really sad. Their dreams had been crushed. They lost hope. They thought the Messiah had been killed! What did Jesus do? He said,”How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Did not the Christ have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?” And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.(Luke 24:25-27) Though the situation looked hopeless, it was still part of God\u2019s\u00a0 plan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

from bible.org <\/u><\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can\u2019t find peace and safety anywhere in the world except in Christ. A few years ago, a retired couple, alarmed by the threat of nuclear war,  looked for a place where they could escape from the threat of war. They traveled all over and finally found the perfect place: an obscure island off the coast of South America. They moved to the Falkland Islands just before Britain invaded to reclaim that territory from Argentina!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

World chaos and war will only increase as His coming draws near. If we can\u2019t escape it, what can we do? The last line of the Psalm is God\u2019s gracious invitation: \u201cHow blessed are all who take refuge in Him!\u201d Don\u2019t run from God; run to Him! Derek Kidner says, \u201cThere is no refuge from Him: only in him\u201d (Ps.1:53). As we see the world\u2019s chaos, we can be happy by taking refuge in our God.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ANOTHER Psalm 2 study<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do we obey God or the Government? Right now the government is not persecuting Christians just because they can\u2019t meet in church. This is a health concern. Theaters, concerts and sports can\u2019t meet either. We aren\u2019t told we can\u2019t preach about Jesus. But if we were told we can\u2019t speak of Jesus that\u2019s another matter!\u00a0 Roman 13 says \u201cLet everyone be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except that which God has established.\u201d The authorities have been established by God. So everyone who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted. And they will\u00a0 bring judgment on themselves. We\u2019re supposed to submit to the governing authorities, but we balance that with what Peter says in Acts 5 that as soon as the governing authority tells us to do something that is against God\u2019s word, that is in disobedience to God, then we do not obey the governing authorities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Take comfort in two things: First, as the world rages, remember that, this is a fulfillment of what was long ago predicted.The apostles experienced the same thing we\u2019re seeing today. Second: The other consolation is that when the ungodly have mustered their forces, depending on their vast numbers, riches, and their means of defense, they are assailing God in heaven. When we see Christ and think He is overwhelmed with the number and strength of His enemies, remember that they are making war against God and they will never prevail. So take heart!! Remember all men\u2019s power is as nothing with Almighty God. Even the next breath we take is by permission from Almighty God. Father has given his power to Jesus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

SONG<\/u><\/strong>: Jesus Shall Reign, Crown him with many Crowns, You are God Alone,  All Bow Down-Chris Tomlin<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Psalm 2\u00a0 A Messianic type Psalm of hope of the Messiah to come. David may have composed this after taking Jerusalem from the Jebusites (2 Samuel 5:7-9). The disciples quote this psalm in Acts 4:25-28 as a promise and prophecy of the coming kingdom. 1 Why do the nations conspire and people plot in vain? […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":950,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"page-templates\/full-width.php","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-869","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.gracewalk.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/869","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.gracewalk.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.gracewalk.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.gracewalk.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.gracewalk.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=869"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/blog.gracewalk.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/869\/revisions"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.gracewalk.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/950"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.gracewalk.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=869"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}