The Warring Nations and the Sovereignty of God
Serve the Lord with reverential awe and rejoice with trembling.
Psalm 2:11 (CSB)
Psalm 2 serves as an excellent example of a Royal Prophetic Psalm. It highlights the earthly kings' rebellion against the Lord and His Anointed One. The Psalm emphasizes the sovereignty of God and calls on the rulers of this world to govern with wisdom, reverence, and awe before the Lord. From a prophetic perspective, this Psalm points to Christ as the true and ultimate King who will achieve victory over those who oppose Him.
Worldly Rulers Rebel (1-3). The psalm begins with a question about the rebellious nature of the rulers of this world. These worldly rulers live for themselves, ruling according to the flesh and tainted by sin. They reign in defiance of the Lord because they refuse to follow Him. They try to unite in their efforts to battle against the Lord. When we observe the world today, we can see the nations governed by godless rulers. They rule in opposition to the Lord.
God’s Constant Nature (4-6). The Psalmist reveals that the Lord is not swayed or changed by the threats of the nations. God alone is constant and unchanging. He reigns with complete sovereignty. The Lord laughs at the plans of His enemies because, amidst worldly chaos, the Lord remains unchanged and constant. God is not moved by the waves of the moment but is steadfast and immovable in turmoil. God is not limited by the strife of this world but reigns above it. When we recognize the constant nature of God, we must live encouraged, knowing that He is not deterred by the chaos of the moment but is the solid foundation and ever-present help for us and with us as His children.
Christ Proclaimed (7-9). The Psalmist foreshadows the ultimate reign and rule of Christ in verses 7-9. The promise presented occurs with the acknowledgment of the coming ruler as the Son and God as the Father. The description of the coming Ruler includes the promise of the earth as the King’s possession and the dominance of the coming King. The imagery of the iron scepter and the shattered pottery offers a glimpse into God’s plans that encompass both salvation and justice. Sitting on this side of the cross and the resurrection, we find that this Psalm points to Jesus. When we respond to Jesus by faith, we receive Him as both Savior and Lord, and as a result, give Him reign over our lives and trust in the promises He has made.
Reverent Response (10-12). The conclusion of this Psalm offers a charge to the rulers of this earth. The Psalmist challenges these leaders to govern with wisdom. Ultimately, this refers to the wisdom that comes solely from the Lord, rather than the knowledge acquired in this world. The rulers must maintain a receptive heart that welcomes instruction. This call serves as a reminder that they must continually strive to grow in knowledge and wisdom. The exhortation encourages the rulers to live in reverence and obedience to the Lord. The Psalmist urges the rulers of his time to lead under the authority and guidance of the Lord. Similarly, we must pray for our leaders today to submit to the Lord and govern under His lordship.
QUESTIONS
When you consider God’s constant nature in the chaos, how would you define the encouragement you receive in that truth?
How can you pray for leaders in the world to seek the wisdom of the Lord? How can you pray for them to seek the Lord in reverence? How can you pray for their salvation?
