It's a question as relevant as today's headlines: "Why are the nations in an uproar?" (Psalm 2:1). Economic uncertainty and upheaval are characteristic of our day as are wars and rumors of war. It is as Jesus predicted: "on earth dismay among nations, in perplexity at the roaring of the sea and waves" (Luke 21:25). The sea and waves is considered symbolic of the turmoil of nations and peoples.
This uproar and upheaval can be simply explained:
"The kings of the earth take their stand And the rulers take counsel together Against the LORD and against His Anointed, saying, "Let us tear their fetters apart And cast away their cords from us!" (Psalm 2:2-3)
The system of this world is not the system of God. Any effort to "Christianize" a nation or government is destined for failure because all nations and governments are, at their very core, enemies of the kingdom of God.
Two millennia ago a band of followers of Christ, having been mistreated and reprimanded by the government of their day, saw with clarity the truth of Psalm 2 (Acts 4:25-26). The explanation for their mistreatment was found in this Psalm which clearly explained the mortal combat into which the nations of this world were locked with the government of God.
We live in tumultuous times; perhaps the most tumultuous time ever. Many are alarmed and unsettled as comforts and securities are threatened, and yet our true security is not found in any of these things. Perhaps the blessing of these times is to rearrange our faith and hope if they have been unduly placed in the things of the world where they should not be.
There is comfort and assurance in knowing why things happen as they do in the world. Present upheaval is not caused by nations and governments seeking to be submissive to the One true God and His Anointed (Messiah), but rather to be freed from them: "Let us tear their fetters apart And cast away their cords from us!" (Psalm 2:3)
The mortal struggle between the systems of this world and the Kingdom of God will not be alarming to those whose true allegiance is with the Kingdom of God. And the surest way to place our allegiance with the government of God is to seek its priority today: "Your kingdom come. You will be done on earth as it is in heaven" (Matthew 6:10). "Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness" (Matthew 6:33).
The nations are in turmoil because they are at war with the kingdom of God. We are at peace amidst the turmoil because our citizenship is in the kingdom through Jesus our Lord.
Steve
This uproar and upheaval can be simply explained:
"The kings of the earth take their stand And the rulers take counsel together Against the LORD and against His Anointed, saying, "Let us tear their fetters apart And cast away their cords from us!" (Psalm 2:2-3)
The system of this world is not the system of God. Any effort to "Christianize" a nation or government is destined for failure because all nations and governments are, at their very core, enemies of the kingdom of God.
Two millennia ago a band of followers of Christ, having been mistreated and reprimanded by the government of their day, saw with clarity the truth of Psalm 2 (Acts 4:25-26). The explanation for their mistreatment was found in this Psalm which clearly explained the mortal combat into which the nations of this world were locked with the government of God.
We live in tumultuous times; perhaps the most tumultuous time ever. Many are alarmed and unsettled as comforts and securities are threatened, and yet our true security is not found in any of these things. Perhaps the blessing of these times is to rearrange our faith and hope if they have been unduly placed in the things of the world where they should not be.
There is comfort and assurance in knowing why things happen as they do in the world. Present upheaval is not caused by nations and governments seeking to be submissive to the One true God and His Anointed (Messiah), but rather to be freed from them: "Let us tear their fetters apart And cast away their cords from us!" (Psalm 2:3)
The mortal struggle between the systems of this world and the Kingdom of God will not be alarming to those whose true allegiance is with the Kingdom of God. And the surest way to place our allegiance with the government of God is to seek its priority today: "Your kingdom come. You will be done on earth as it is in heaven" (Matthew 6:10). "Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness" (Matthew 6:33).
The nations are in turmoil because they are at war with the kingdom of God. We are at peace amidst the turmoil because our citizenship is in the kingdom through Jesus our Lord.
Steve
posted by steve @ 4:17 PM
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