Intro: Every day we have a variety of choices to make. The average person makes 35,000 decisions per day. God instructs us to choose each day to live like we are fruit-being trees planted along the River of Life. Only then can we know the joy of God’s righteous and glorious presence.
Believers were not created to live like the wicked; if we try to “blend-in” with the world, we feel shame and remorse for denying the Righteous One. We were created to live joyfully meditating on the Word of the Lord and allowing that Word to bring us closer to God.
Making these choices and aligning our lives with Christ is what it means to live with Jesus as King on the throne of our hearts. Vibrant life is available to those who do so, because we have honored the rule of Jesus with our whole being. “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect” (Ro 12:1).
Our passage today from the Psalter is called a royal psalm; a tribute and blessing to the dynasty and descendants of David. However, I believe this passage helps us look forward into the future toward the Good News and eternal reign and rule of the Son of God—Jesus Messiah—over Jerusalem [Zion] (Mark 1:1). There are several times in Scripture God says, “You are my Son. Today I have become your Father“ (Ps 2:7; Acts 13:33). To this Son, God promises to make the earth his personal treasure.
We know this passage more than likely speaks of an immediate king to whom the Lord desires to pour out blessings, but because things in the Old Testament foreshadow things to come in the New Testament, I believe the ultimate fulfillment comes through Jesus Messiah who will live in the eternal blessings of all things in heaven and on earth coming under his rule. One day when Christ rules the world, we will live with hope, justice, and goodness in his protective care. By the way, believers will reign with Christ and be coheirs in all his blessings forever (Ro 8:17). That day cannot come soon enough for me!
Psalm 2 (NLT)
1
Why are the nations so angry?
Why do they waste their time with futile plans?
2
The kings of the earth prepare for battle;
the rulers plot together
against the Lord
and against his anointed one.
3
“Let us break their chains,” they cry,
“and free ourselves from slavery to God.”
4
But the one who rules in heaven laughs.
The Lord scoffs at them.
5
Then in anger he rebukes them,
terrifying them with his fierce fury.
6
For the Lord declares, “I have placed my chosen king on the throne
in Jerusalem, [Zion] on my holy mountain.”
7
The king proclaims the Lord’s decree:
“The Lord said to me, ‘You are my son [Son].
Today I have become your Father.
8
Only ask, and I will give you the nations as your inheritance,
the whole earth as your possession.
9
You will break [rule] them with an iron rod
and smash them like clay pots.’”
10
Now then, you kings, act wisely!
Be warned, you rulers of the earth!
11
Serve the Lord with reverent fear,
and rejoice with trembling.
12
Submit to God’s royal son, [Son] or he will become angry,
and you will be destroyed in the midst of all your activities—
for his anger flares up in an instant.
But what joy for all who take refuge in him!
Prayer: Father, thank you for the promise of the Son’s rule over heaven and earth. May your kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven. In Jesus’ name. Amen.