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WHY DO THE NATIONS RAGE?

  • Writer: Olufunmilayo Adekusibe
    Olufunmilayo Adekusibe
  • Sep 5, 2022
  • 4 min read

Today’s Reading:

Psalm 2

“Why are the nations in an uproar [in turmoil against God], And why do the people devise a vain and hopeless plot? 2 The kings of the earth take their stand; And the rulers take counsel together Against the Lord and His Anointed (the Davidic King, the Messiah, the Christ), saying, [Acts 4:25-27] 3 ’Let us break apart their [divine] bands [of restraint] And cast away their cords [of control] from us”


4 He who sits [enthroned] in the heavens laughs [at their rebellion]; the [Sovereign] Lord scoffs at them [and in supreme contempt He mocks them]; 5 Then He will speak to them in His [profound] anger. And terrify them with His displeasure, saying, 6 ’Yet as for Me, I have anointed and firmly installed My King Upon Zion, My holy mountain.’ 7 ’I will declare the decree of the Lord: He said to Me, ‘You are My son, This day [I proclaim] I have begotten You’ (2Sam 7:14; Heb. 1:5; 3:5, 6; 2Pet 1:17, 18). 8 Ask of Me, and I will assuredly give [You] the nations as Your inheritance. And the ends of the earth as Your possession. 9 You shall break them with a rod of iron; You shall shatter them [in pieces] like earthenware [Rev 12:5; 19:15].


Now therefore, O kings, act wisely; Be instructed and take warning, O leaders (judges, rulers) of the earth. 11 Worship the Lord and serve Him with reverence [with awe inspired fear and submissive wonder]; Rejoice [yet do so] with trembling. 12 Kiss (pay respect to) the Son, so that He does not become angry, and you perish in the way. For His wrath may soon be kindled and set aflame.” (Psalm 2, Amplified Version).




Today’s Reading is one of the royal psalms. It might have been written to affirm the authority of God upon new kings. Because in the ancient times the coronation of a new king in Israel is usually greeted with outburst of unrest and rebellion from nations subject to Israel. ‘The kings of the earth take their stand …(v. 2). Therefore, the king assert his authority as the anointed of God. It is taken that revolt against God’s people is rebellion against God. God finds it comical that anyone or nation could raise their inconsequential hand, to contest Him. Whereas “All people of the earth are nothing compared to God” (Dan. 4). What person, nation or institution can stand against the Almighty and power who made them? The Lord therefore laughs at such thought. (v. 3). As is usual, a king would issue a royal written decree which he sends forth by horse riders, town criers throughout the country to ‘declare the decree to all the people of his kingdom. Likewise, in the Scriptures we read of the royal decree in the book of Esther 8:8-14 and Luke 2:1-3.


In Psalm 2, the psalmist said he would ‘declare the decree of the Lord.’ One wonders, What decree? It is the decree God declares that ‘He (Jesus) is the only begotten Son of the Father (Hebrews 1:1-5). The written Word of God is a formal decree of the Lord, our King. When we declare God’s word with our mouths, with hearts full of faith, those faith-filled words go forth to establish God’s order in our lives and wherever the words are sent. And when the royal decree is proclaimed, things begin to change for better to those who believe.


As Christians, no matter the circumstances and the situations, this is the time to begin or continue in earnest to proclaim the Good News of Truth, for the earth will be filled with the glory of God as the waters covers the sea. “… Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations [help the people to learn of Me, believe in Me, and obey My word], baptising them in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Teaching them to observe everything that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always [remaining with you perpetually regardless of circumstance, and on every occasion, even to the end of age.”


When we proclaim the Gospel of our Lord, Jesus Christ, we must -

  1. Recognise the lordship of our Lord Jesus Christ and surrender our lives to Him by being born again. We must be given spiritual rebirth by the Holy Spirit and have our spirit regenerated before we can exercise the authority over powers of darkness and the flesh and be able to effectively preach the Gospel.

  2. Recognise that as we proclaim the Gospel, we are confronting the kingdom of darkness. And so, we must put on our whole armour of God, for God’s precepts are like the splendid armour of a heavily armed solder, so that we may be able to successfully stand up against all the schemes, devices, strategies and deceits of the devil the enemy of the Gospel. (Ephesians 6:10-11).

  3. Not rely on our own understanding, wisdom or knowledge. We must completely rely on the Holy Spirit for guidance and protection. It is the Holy Spirit that supplies the power according to our faith, He gives the people listening-ears to listen to our proclamation, and the heart to receive Jesus Christ.

OLUFUNMILAYO TITILOLA ADEKUSIBE



Prayer:

  1. Our heavenly Father, thank you for we are blessed when we put our trust in You, in Jesus name.

  2. My Father, I repent of all my sin in thoughts, words, and deeds, in your mercy forgive me, and forgive inherited sins, in Jesus name.

  3. Father Lord, empower me, and use me as your battle axe and weapon of war, in Jesus name.

  4. We challenge and pull down the stronghold of forces of disobedience in the lives of the saints, in Jesus name.

  5. Our merciful Father, You walk in mysterious ways Your wonders to perform. By your mercy, use the situation in our country to the glory of your holy name, in Jesus name.

 
 
 

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