Psalm 2- Kiss the Son

 1Why do the nations conspire and the peoples plot in vain?

2The kings of the earth rise up

and the rulers band together

against the Lord and against his anointed, saying,

3“Let us break their chains and throw off their shackles.”

4The One enthroned in heaven laughs; the Lord scoffs at them.

5He rebukes them in his anger and terrifies them in his wrath, saying,

6“I have installed my king on Zion, my holy mountain.” 

7I will proclaim the Lord’s decree: He said to me, “You are my son; today I have become your father. 

8Ask me, and I will make the nations your inheritance, the ends of the earth your possession.
9You will break them with a rod of iron; you will dash them to pieces like pottery.” 
10Therefore, you kings, be wise; be warned, you rulers of the earth.
11Serve the Lord with fear and celebrate his rule with trembling. 
12Kiss 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.

******
Thoughts:  Why do the nations "rage" or "conspire against God?"  People are angry at the Maker for not making things better for them and making heaven on earth right now.   In Genesis the answer is found.  We have a knowledge of good and evil, but we do not have eternal life now- lest we live in a state of a combination of good and evil.  The tree of life does not come until we are changed- and God makes all things new for those who are His.  
This Psalm is a warning.  We do not want to heed it.  We want to think we can argue against God, and fight against God.  But such arguments and battles are senseless and only are a beating of our own heads against the wall- hurting our own souls.  God will win.  We know so little and have so little power compared to the Creator.  
But we should want all people to know His blessing.  It is a blessing to be able to take refuge in God.  This means that troubles come, and we have a place to go- a refuge.   Blessed are all who take refuge in Him- so let's invite others to do just that and join us in the place/person of refuge.  
Years ago, I was surrounded by a gang of boys after school who were a year older than me.  I managed to escape their beating, but went home and told my father.  He went back with me and confronted them.  I took refuge in Him- and those boys melted away.  We have a heavenly Father in whom we are blessed to find refuge.  We should point others who feel alone to Him.  

Prayer: Lord, you have blessed me.  Under your wings I find refuge.  It is a blessing to be able to "Kiss the Son."  Help me to know how and to be inspired to point others to you.  

The King Comes Back

This will be part of the sermon tomorrow 12/8 at LMPC

6For unto us a child is born,

unto us a son is given,

and the government will be upon His shoulders.

And He will be called

Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

7Of the increase of His government and peace

there will be no end.

He will reign on the throne of David

and over his kingdom,

to establish and sustain it

with justice and righteousness

from that time and forevermore.

The zeal of the LORD of Hosts will accomplish this. (Isaiah 9:6) 

Why do the nations ragea

and the peoples plot in vain?

2The kings of the earth take their stand

and the rulers gather together,

against the LORD

and against His Anointed One:b

3“Let us break Their chains

and cast away Their cords.”

4The One enthroned in heaven laughs;

the Lord taunts them.

5Then He rebukes them in His anger,

and terrifies them in His fury:

6“I have installed My King on Zion,

upon My holy mountain.”

7I will proclaim the decree

spoken to Me by the LORD:

“You are My Son;

today I have become Your Father.c

8Ask Me, and I will make the nations Your inheritance,

the ends of the earth Your possession.

9You will break themd with an iron scepter;

You will shatter them like pottery.e ”

10Therefore be wise, O kings;

be admonished, O judges of the earth.

11Serve the LORD with fear,

and rejoice with trembling.

12Kiss the Son, lest He be angry

and you perish in your rebellion,

when His wrath ignites in an instant.

Blessed are all who take refuge in Him. (Messianic- Psalm 2)

31Behold, you will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to give Him the name Jesus. 32He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David, 33and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever. His kingdom will never end!” (Luke 1- Gabriel to Mary)

THOUGHTS:  There is a part of us that wants someone to rule over us.  We want fairness, justice, peace, provision.  This is a hope expressed in Isaiah 9.  There is another part of us that doesn't want anyone to rule over us.  We want to be captain of our soul.  But to fight against God- the King of kings is a losing battle that only leads to frustration.  In our day we discount the idea of a king.  We do not need a political king but we do need someone to turn our chaos into meaning.  God did this in creation.  Jesus brought healing when He came.  God is the only one who can turn meaninglessness and chaos into hope, purpose, and meaning.
     The angel Gabriel told Mary that God would put His son on the throne of David.  It is a promise that God will come back to bring peace (as the Prince of Peace), and joy to people who were in darkness.
      Once King Charles I was deposed from the throne of England and killed.  His son, Charles II fled to Scotland where the Scottish Presbyterians tried to give him back his throne but they were defeated in battle and Charles II fled to Scotland. After Cromwell died England descended into chaos and division.   But nine years later the English begged this king to come back.  The Carolinas were named after Charles and Charleston was also named after him by the Lord's Proprietors to whom Charles gave the land.  Charles was not a perfect king and pales in comparison to the King of kings.  But the hopes of the king coming back and resolving chaos were met.   

     The real question for us is will we put Jesus on our heart's throne.  

(Charles II Coronation Procession)

The Son of David and Son of God

1Why do the nations conspire ^a

and the peoples plot in vain?

2The kings of the earth rise up

and the rulers band together

against the Lord and against his anointed, saying,

3“Let us break their chains

and throw off their shackles.”

4The One enthroned in heaven laughs;

the Lord scoffs at them.

5He rebukes them in his anger

and terrifies them in his wrath, saying,

6“I have installed my king

on Zion, my holy mountain.”

7I will proclaim the Lord’s decree:

He said to me, “You are my son;

today I have become your father.

8Ask me,

and I will make the nations your inheritance,

the ends of the earth your possession.

9You will break them with a rod of iron ^b ;

you will dash them to pieces like pottery.”

10Therefore, you kings, be wise;

be warned, you rulers of the earth.

11Serve the Lord with fear

and celebrate his rule with trembling.

12Kiss 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.

Thoughts: This is a Messianic prophetic psalm that links one of the Davidic sons to the essence of God's Son.  It is a hope that God will establish a divine King to lead the people of God. 
    It is also a recognition that the nations are in rebellion against God.  But this rebellion is useless, pointless, and powerless.  What king can compare to the King of kings?  What army can do anything against the Lord of hosts?  So who thinks they are rich compared to the Lord of lords and King of kings?  What intellect can fight against the mind that designed the heavens and earth?  Fighting against God is like pounding your fist against a steel lined concrete wall- you just end up hurting your hand. 
   But the grace is that God welcomes all who will quit fighting against Him and start taking refuge in Him.  

Prayer: Lord, be King and Lord of every area of my life, my heart, my mind, and my soul.