February 19, 2019 -- Psalm 2:1-6 -- When the LORD laughs
/Why do the nations rage
and the peoples plot in vain?
2 The kings of the earth set themselves,
and the rulers take counsel together,
against the Lord and against his Anointed, saying,
3 “Let us burst their bonds apart
and cast away their cords from us.”
4 He who sits in the heavens laughs;
the Lord holds them in derision.
5 Then he will speak to them in his wrath,
and terrify them in his fury, saying,
6 “As for me, I have set my King
on Zion, my holy hill.”
Psalm 2:1-6 ESV
Single Sara had several old aunts who would always tease her at weddings. They’d lean over and give a stage whisper, “Well, Sara, do you think you’ll be next?” Sara settled this quickly. At the next funeral, she leaned over to those same aunts and loudly whispered “Well, aunts, do you think you’ll be next?”
The LORD in heaven laughs at the plans of plotters and violent people; holds them in derision who think their raging schemes will in any way unsettle King Jesus and His rule. To laugh in the face of those who set themselves up against you is a sign of power. The LORD’s power is infinite. King Jesus’ rule is without challenge.
When Satan thought he had Jesus on the ropes, crucifying the Son of God, Jesus broke the power of Satan and dashed his works to pieces like a fragile clay pot. In fact, from time before the earth was formed it was the plan of the Father and the voluntary sacrifice of the Son with the power of the Spirit enabling Jesus’ humanity which had been determined to show the great glory of God and His steadfast love to claim ruined sinners as His Own. So God laughs in derision against the feeble plans of those who plan against His unmatched strength.
What power in your life is making your service to God seem too hard? What sin’s creeping tendrils coil around your heart or mind undercutting your ability to keep the faith? Sinner, turn to Jesus! Jesus the Anointed King will burst all your chains, He will smash into pieces all the hosts of hell which conspire against you. Jesus is strong enough to break your chains, for Him it is a simple matter. He has defeated hell itself and death. Jesus is wise enough to tear out the deep roots of sin from your heart and brain. He can perform the delicate surgery needed so that you can with your whole heart, mind and strength serve Him. Jesus is willing to rescue wounded and weary sinners: “Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest”. Those are the glorious words of Jesus. No wonder God laughs in derision against any who plot or plan against Him. Any plan is already defeated before it started.
But why do we wrestle against sin at all? God made the heavens and the earth, the birds of the air and the fish of the sea. Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden were created good with the capacity to obey God. They rebelled against God and brought all of humanity—all their descendents under the curse of God. And all of creation was entangled by the sin of Adam. We can look at this world and see all the evil and note all the inhumanity people are capable of, hurting, killing, and destroying and wonder: “God, are You strong? Are You loving? Are You willing to help? The answer is: Yes! He is allowing evil to grow, just like a boil, so that it gathers its pus and poisons into one place so that it can be lanced once and for all. Jesus is bringing about the defeat of sin, hell, and even death itself. Blessed are all who take refuge in Jesus!
King Jesus in our hearts and even in the secret places of our minds, bring Your victory and break every chain that seems to bind us. Spirit of God, by Your presence in us and by the Truth of the Word, assure us that evil is already broken. We confess our eyes fail us and our confidence shudders sometimes because we feel ourselves so helpless against sin. Spirit of Holiness, apply the cleansing of Jesus to every place of our need so that we will rise up in renewed strength as soldiers of the cross of Jesus Christ, beloved sons and daughters of the Father in heaven. Give us holy confidence in Jesus Christ which allows us to laugh in derision against any sin and snort about all former patterns of sin knowing in His Name we are more than conquerors. Amen.
