1 O Lord, our Lord, your majestic name fills the earth! Your glory is higher than the heavens.
2 You have taught children and infants to tell of your strength, silencing your enemies and all who oppose you.
3 When I look at the night sky and see the work of your fingers—the moon and the stars you set in place—
4 what are mere mortals that you should think about them, human beings that you should care for them?
5 Yet you made them only a little lower than God and crowned them with glory and honor.
6 You gave them charge of everything you made, putting all things under their authority—
7 the flocks and the herds and all the wild animals,
8 the birds in the sky, the fish in the sea, and everything that swims the ocean currents.
9 O Lord, our Lord, your majestic name fills the earth!
I've heard David diagnosed as being "bi-polar". He had manic days...like today...and depressed days. Huge mood swings. I disagree with the "bi-polar" thing for a couple of important reasons.
First, it has been long accepted that broad mood swings are...in great part...a function of intelligence, not mental health. Smarter people are able to more keenly recognized consequences of situations. This results in a sense of foreboding at bad consequences and jubilation at good consequences. This fact alone should make some of us feel a lot better about ourselves.
Also...David clearly recognized God's role in the circumstances of life. This realization, as well, causes us to react strongly. After all...once we make peace with the fact that we are not in control of our own destiny...we have no choice but to admit we are subservient to the one who is in control. Even when that one is God, the truth runs contrary to our natural desire to control our own lives.
So, it is natural for people of faith to experience these emotional highs and lows. And why wouldn't we be euphoric at the thought that God has chosen to dwell with man? David couldn't even comprehend the blessings. He said "what are mere mortals that you should think about them, human beings that you should care for them?" It is just as natural to feel God's immutable laws are a threat because defiance results in dire consequences. My sense of today's psalm is this. We should feel permitted to react to God's presence in our lives with authenticity. That means life can be a roller coaster.
I used to hear old time Christians respond to the exuberance of new Christians by saying "give them time...they'll settle down!" It is truly a tragedy when we encourage Christians to moderate either the joy or the sorrow that the Holy Spirit prompts in their lives. The death of a loved one ought to prompt grief...just as Jesus wept over the death of Lazarus. Likewise, the ecstasy the comes when we recognize God's miraculous presence within us is just as natural.
So...let God's Spirit naturally move you today, and don't worry about those around you.
Live boldly out there today...
July 10, 2010
July 9, 2010
Psalm 7
1 I come to you for protection, O Lord my God. Save me from my persecutors—rescue me!
2 If you don’t, they will maul me like a lion, tearing me to pieces with no one to rescue me.
3 O Lord my God, if I have done wrong or am guilty of injustice,
4 if I have betrayed a friend or plundered my enemy without cause,
5 then let my enemies capture me. Let them trample me into the ground and drag my honor in the dust.
6 Arise, O Lord, in anger! Stand up against the fury of my enemies! Wake up, my God, and bring justice!
7 Gather the nations before you. Rule over them from on high.
8 The Lord judges the nations. Declare me righteous, O Lord, for I am innocent, O Most High!
9 End the evil of those who are wicked, and defend the righteous. For you look deep within the mind and heart, O righteous God.
10 God is my shield, saving those whose hearts are true and right. 11 God is an honest judge. He is angry with the wicked every day.
12 If a person does not repent, God will sharpen his sword; he will bend and string his bow.
2 If you don’t, they will maul me like a lion, tearing me to pieces with no one to rescue me.
3 O Lord my God, if I have done wrong or am guilty of injustice,
4 if I have betrayed a friend or plundered my enemy without cause,
5 then let my enemies capture me. Let them trample me into the ground and drag my honor in the dust.
6 Arise, O Lord, in anger! Stand up against the fury of my enemies! Wake up, my God, and bring justice!
7 Gather the nations before you. Rule over them from on high.
8 The Lord judges the nations. Declare me righteous, O Lord, for I am innocent, O Most High!
9 End the evil of those who are wicked, and defend the righteous. For you look deep within the mind and heart, O righteous God.
10 God is my shield, saving those whose hearts are true and right. 11 God is an honest judge. He is angry with the wicked every day.
12 If a person does not repent, God will sharpen his sword; he will bend and string his bow.
13 He will prepare his deadly weapons and shoot his flaming arrows.
14 The wicked conceive evil; they are pregnant with trouble and give birth to lies.
15 They dig a deep pit to trap others, then fall into it themselves.
16 The trouble they make for others backfires on them. The violence they plan falls on their own heads.
17 I will thank the Lord because he is just; I will sing praise to the name of the Lord Most High.
14 The wicked conceive evil; they are pregnant with trouble and give birth to lies.
15 They dig a deep pit to trap others, then fall into it themselves.
16 The trouble they make for others backfires on them. The violence they plan falls on their own heads.
17 I will thank the Lord because he is just; I will sing praise to the name of the Lord Most High.
Trouble isn't always our own doing...it's possible to be 100% in the right and still be plagued by those who seek to harm us.
Then what do we do? I'm used to being able to identify behavior on my part that brought trouble my way. It's not difficult to recognize that I need to go back and correct some actions or attitudes before I can count on any relief.
So...I get busy.
But David was completely innocent. He said "Lord, if I have done wrong or am guilty of injustice...then let my enemies capture me. Let them trample me into the ground and drag my honor in the dust." Its very rare that I have that level of confidence before God.
And his solution? "Lord, I come to you for protection." Why? Because "God is an honest judge".
So David went to God...an honest judge...for help. What did he expect? David expected God to be a shield...providing a sure defense from whatever weapons were arrayed against him. Then, He expected God to destroy those enemies.
But enemies are not always other human beings. It could be the economy. Your house is now worth less than the mortgage and you need to sell it...facing economic ruin. Your 401K has lost 75% of its value...just as you reach retirment age.
I could go on and on...
Will God (our shield) protect you from that? I think yes...
I'm bothered by the fact we often short-circuit God's solution by trying to fix things ourselves...generally compounding the problem.
I once noticed a sign at my mechanic's garage. It read:
Shop rates - $50/hr
If you watch - $75/hr
If you offer advice - $100/hr
If you tried to fix it first - $125/hr.
You may be facing trouble today that truly is not of your making. If that's the case, then there is nothing you can "undo" to find relief. My advice is...go straight to God for protection and count on Him to put things right. Don't try to help.
Live boldly out there today...
July 8, 2010
Psalm 6
1 O Lord, don’t rebuke me in your anger or discipline me in your rage.
2 Have compassion on me, Lord, for I am weak. Heal me, Lord, for my bones are in agony.
3 I am sick at heart. How long, O Lord, until you restore me?
4 Return, O Lord, and rescue me. Save me because of your unfailing love.
5 For the dead do not remember you. Who can praise you from the grave?
6 I am worn out from sobbing. All night I flood my bed with weeping, drenching it with my tears.
7 My vision is blurred by grief; my eyes are worn out because of all my enemies.
8 Go away, all you who do evil, for the Lord has heard my weeping.
9 The Lord has heard my plea; the Lord will answer my prayer.
10 May all my enemies be disgraced and terrified. May they suddenly turn back in shame.
"Mama said there'd be days like this..."
This is one of the few psalms where David does not leaven his complaints with large doses of confidence and joy. Even his reactions seem particularly morose. He says "I am worn out from sobbing. All night I flood my bed with weeping, drenching it with my tears." Now, that's a bad day.
I understand. I've had days like that. But it encourages me to recognize David did as well. It means I'm not the only one standing up to my hips in alligators.
David implies that he may have brought this trouble on himself. He says "O Lord, don’t rebuke me in your anger or discipline me in your rage." It's foolish to pretend much of our trouble is not the result of our own bad behavior or choices. And...we often interpret trouble to be the result of God's anger or rage. We can almost hear God say "this is going to hurt you more than it will hurt me!"
Yet...that's not the point and it doesn't prevent David from seeking relief.
The thing that really jumps out at me is Davids plea to "save me because of your unfailing love."
We don't generally appeal on that basis. When we appeal for relief, it's usually on the basis of our own discomfort or agony. "God, I can't take it any more!" I realize David wanted to be delivered from his trouble, but consider this...
"God...I know you love me. In your love, there has to be a limit to how much distress you're willing to let me endure. I appeal to that love!"
So...David didn't appeal to God's power. How miserable we would be if we recognized God had the power to deliver us but didn't. We would then have no alternative but to believe He doesn't care enough.
On the other hand, if we appeal on the basis of God's love, we have the confidence that not one ounce of pain is superfluous. Never forget...this is not whimsy on God's part. God has very specific desires for each of us. Trouble is one of the tools He uses to fulfill those desires. It's been called "the refiner's fire"
Finally, As David said, "the Lord will answer my prayer!" So be encouraged by this. God's love knows precisely when trouble has accomplished it's purpose in our lives. At that point...trouble ends. His love will not let it longer a moment longer.
Live boldly out there today...
2 Have compassion on me, Lord, for I am weak. Heal me, Lord, for my bones are in agony.
3 I am sick at heart. How long, O Lord, until you restore me?
4 Return, O Lord, and rescue me. Save me because of your unfailing love.
5 For the dead do not remember you. Who can praise you from the grave?
6 I am worn out from sobbing. All night I flood my bed with weeping, drenching it with my tears.
7 My vision is blurred by grief; my eyes are worn out because of all my enemies.
8 Go away, all you who do evil, for the Lord has heard my weeping.
9 The Lord has heard my plea; the Lord will answer my prayer.
10 May all my enemies be disgraced and terrified. May they suddenly turn back in shame.
"Mama said there'd be days like this..."
This is one of the few psalms where David does not leaven his complaints with large doses of confidence and joy. Even his reactions seem particularly morose. He says "I am worn out from sobbing. All night I flood my bed with weeping, drenching it with my tears." Now, that's a bad day.
I understand. I've had days like that. But it encourages me to recognize David did as well. It means I'm not the only one standing up to my hips in alligators.
David implies that he may have brought this trouble on himself. He says "O Lord, don’t rebuke me in your anger or discipline me in your rage." It's foolish to pretend much of our trouble is not the result of our own bad behavior or choices. And...we often interpret trouble to be the result of God's anger or rage. We can almost hear God say "this is going to hurt you more than it will hurt me!"
Yet...that's not the point and it doesn't prevent David from seeking relief.
The thing that really jumps out at me is Davids plea to "save me because of your unfailing love."
We don't generally appeal on that basis. When we appeal for relief, it's usually on the basis of our own discomfort or agony. "God, I can't take it any more!" I realize David wanted to be delivered from his trouble, but consider this...
"God...I know you love me. In your love, there has to be a limit to how much distress you're willing to let me endure. I appeal to that love!"
So...David didn't appeal to God's power. How miserable we would be if we recognized God had the power to deliver us but didn't. We would then have no alternative but to believe He doesn't care enough.
On the other hand, if we appeal on the basis of God's love, we have the confidence that not one ounce of pain is superfluous. Never forget...this is not whimsy on God's part. God has very specific desires for each of us. Trouble is one of the tools He uses to fulfill those desires. It's been called "the refiner's fire"
Finally, As David said, "the Lord will answer my prayer!" So be encouraged by this. God's love knows precisely when trouble has accomplished it's purpose in our lives. At that point...trouble ends. His love will not let it longer a moment longer.
Live boldly out there today...
July 7, 2010
Psalm 5
1 O Lord, hear me as I pray; pay attention to my groaning.
2 Listen to my cry for help, my King and my God, for I pray to no one but you.
3 Listen to my voice in the morning, Lord. Each morning I bring my requests to you and wait expectantly.
4 O God, you take no pleasure in wickedness; you cannot tolerate the sins of the wicked.
5 Therefore, the proud may not stand in your presence, for you hate all who do evil.
6 You will destroy those who tell lies. The Lord detests murderers and deceivers.
7 Because of your unfailing love, I can enter your house; I will worship at your Temple with deepest awe.
8 Lead me in the right path, O Lord, or my enemies will conquer me. Make your way plain for me to follow.
9 My enemies cannot speak a truthful word. Their deepest desire is to destroy others. Their talk is foul, like the stench from an open grave. Their tongues are filled with flattery.
10 O God, declare them guilty. Let them be caught in their own traps. Drive them away because of their many sins, for they have rebelled against you.
11 But let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them sing joyful praises forever. Spread your protection over them, that all who love your name may be filled with joy.
12 For you bless the godly, O Lord; you surround them with your shield of love.
The Church of England calls it "Morning Vespers".
It's a prayer service intended to begin the day with God. An excellent idea...one they could have gotten by reading today's psalm. David says "each morning I bring my requests to you and wait expectantly."
I haven't always been very disciplined at this, but...writing this daily devotion has had an amazing effect. My mornings are peaceful. I lay my concerns at God's feet and I can approach the day with optimism and confidence...knowing the God is interceding.
And we need intercessions. Read David's list of concerns and we realize the life of a faithful person is not always smooth. Most of David's concern surrounds the activities of wicked people around him...and the resulting destruction. We all recognize the reality here. At work, the mall, school...it makes no difference...there are people who appear to have no other mission than to disrupt our day. Well...this psalm suggests we give that to God before we leave the house.
And the promise? David says 'let all who take refuge in you rejoice. Let them sing joyful praises forever. Spread your protection over them, that all who love your name will be filled with joy!" What a wonderful benediction!
By the way...The Church of England has "Evening Vespers" as well.
Live boldly out there today...
2 Listen to my cry for help, my King and my God, for I pray to no one but you.
3 Listen to my voice in the morning, Lord. Each morning I bring my requests to you and wait expectantly.
4 O God, you take no pleasure in wickedness; you cannot tolerate the sins of the wicked.
5 Therefore, the proud may not stand in your presence, for you hate all who do evil.
6 You will destroy those who tell lies. The Lord detests murderers and deceivers.
7 Because of your unfailing love, I can enter your house; I will worship at your Temple with deepest awe.
8 Lead me in the right path, O Lord, or my enemies will conquer me. Make your way plain for me to follow.
9 My enemies cannot speak a truthful word. Their deepest desire is to destroy others. Their talk is foul, like the stench from an open grave. Their tongues are filled with flattery.
10 O God, declare them guilty. Let them be caught in their own traps. Drive them away because of their many sins, for they have rebelled against you.
11 But let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them sing joyful praises forever. Spread your protection over them, that all who love your name may be filled with joy.
12 For you bless the godly, O Lord; you surround them with your shield of love.
The Church of England calls it "Morning Vespers".
It's a prayer service intended to begin the day with God. An excellent idea...one they could have gotten by reading today's psalm. David says "each morning I bring my requests to you and wait expectantly."
I haven't always been very disciplined at this, but...writing this daily devotion has had an amazing effect. My mornings are peaceful. I lay my concerns at God's feet and I can approach the day with optimism and confidence...knowing the God is interceding.
And we need intercessions. Read David's list of concerns and we realize the life of a faithful person is not always smooth. Most of David's concern surrounds the activities of wicked people around him...and the resulting destruction. We all recognize the reality here. At work, the mall, school...it makes no difference...there are people who appear to have no other mission than to disrupt our day. Well...this psalm suggests we give that to God before we leave the house.
And the promise? David says 'let all who take refuge in you rejoice. Let them sing joyful praises forever. Spread your protection over them, that all who love your name will be filled with joy!" What a wonderful benediction!
By the way...The Church of England has "Evening Vespers" as well.
Live boldly out there today...
July 6, 2010
Psalm 4
1 Answer me when I call to you, O God who declares me innocent. Free me from my troubles.
Have mercy on me and hear my prayer.
2 How long will you people ruin my reputation? How long will you make groundless accusations? How long will you continue your lies?
3 You can be sure of this: The Lord set apart the godly for himself. The Lord will answer when I call to him.
4 Don’t sin by letting anger control you. Think about it overnight and remain silent.
5 Offer sacrifices in the right spirit, and trust the Lord.
6 Many people say, “Who will show us better times?” Let your face smile on us, Lord.
7 You have given me greater joy than those who have abundant harvests of grain and new wine.
8 In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, O Lord, will keep me safe.
Don't blame me..I am innocent.
I should stop a moment and contemplate this. People can nurse grudges and declare my faults...for any length of time they desire, but...God declares me innocent.
That is very important, since I know my heart, and it's anything but innocent.
But God declares me so and I'm sticking with God's assessment.
Based on what? Based on the righteousness imputed to me through faith in Jesus Christ. Can you imagine this? This is analagous (though wholly inadequate) to a parent watching a small child's futile attempt to make their bed and yet saying "perfect!"
What a glorious blessings...but that's not all. When the world around us wants to abuse us, we have a God who mercifully hears our prayers and is prepared to deliver us. Why? Because "God sets apart the godly for himself". Nobody invades our lives without God's permission. This is why people of faith ought to be overflowing with joy.
And...why we don't have to respond in anger: Because we are not desperately fighting this battle on our own. God is fighting it for us. We can say with David "I will lie down in peace for you, O Lord, will keep me safe".
Live boldly out there today...
Have mercy on me and hear my prayer.
2 How long will you people ruin my reputation? How long will you make groundless accusations? How long will you continue your lies?
3 You can be sure of this: The Lord set apart the godly for himself. The Lord will answer when I call to him.
4 Don’t sin by letting anger control you. Think about it overnight and remain silent.
5 Offer sacrifices in the right spirit, and trust the Lord.
6 Many people say, “Who will show us better times?” Let your face smile on us, Lord.
7 You have given me greater joy than those who have abundant harvests of grain and new wine.
8 In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, O Lord, will keep me safe.
Don't blame me..I am innocent.
I should stop a moment and contemplate this. People can nurse grudges and declare my faults...for any length of time they desire, but...God declares me innocent.
That is very important, since I know my heart, and it's anything but innocent.
But God declares me so and I'm sticking with God's assessment.
Based on what? Based on the righteousness imputed to me through faith in Jesus Christ. Can you imagine this? This is analagous (though wholly inadequate) to a parent watching a small child's futile attempt to make their bed and yet saying "perfect!"
What a glorious blessings...but that's not all. When the world around us wants to abuse us, we have a God who mercifully hears our prayers and is prepared to deliver us. Why? Because "God sets apart the godly for himself". Nobody invades our lives without God's permission. This is why people of faith ought to be overflowing with joy.
And...why we don't have to respond in anger: Because we are not desperately fighting this battle on our own. God is fighting it for us. We can say with David "I will lie down in peace for you, O Lord, will keep me safe".
Live boldly out there today...
July 5, 2010
Psalm 3
1 O Lord, I have so many enemies; so many are against me.
2 So many are saying, “God will never rescue him!”
3 But you, O Lord, are a shield around me; you are my glory, the one who holds my head high.
4 I cried out to the Lord, and he answered me from his holy mountain.
5 I lay down and slept, yet I woke up in safety, for the Lord was watching over me.
6 I am not afraid of ten thousand enemies who surround me on every side.
7 Arise, O Lord! Rescue me, my God! Slap all my enemies in the face! Shatter the teeth of the wicked!
8 Victory comes from you, O Lord. May you bless your people.
David's own son was trying to kill him. So much for the old saying "it's good to be king!"
Success and blessings are often the things that make others most jealous. We could hope that our friends and loved ones would rejoice in our good fortune, but it doesn't always happen.
I've seen it: A chaplain gets promoted and those around him don't rejoice...they ask "what makes him so special?" Early in my Air Force career a friend of mine was promoted a year ahead of his peers. I'd never seen that happen so I approached my boss and asked "what's the deal?"
My boss said "don't blame him...it's not his fault."
And it wasn't. God gave it to him.
But, many people believe good fortune is a scarce commodity so our blessings come at their expense. They become angry and try to take them away. The sin of pride claims..."I deserve it as much as he does!"
That's the dark side of humanity..
It wasn't his fault...David was given astounding glory and riches and power...all because he was a man after God's own heart...not because he schemed and connived to get there.
And since everything he had become was endowed by God, David had confidence that God would also protect and sustain him. These are uncertain times. Our homes, our jobs, our welfare are at risk. If all we have has been given by God, we can say "O Lord, you are a shield about me...I lie down to sleep and wake up in safety."
"The Lord giveth...and the Lord taketh away. Blessed be the name of the Lord."
This is very good news.
Live boldly out there today...
2 So many are saying, “God will never rescue him!”
3 But you, O Lord, are a shield around me; you are my glory, the one who holds my head high.
4 I cried out to the Lord, and he answered me from his holy mountain.
5 I lay down and slept, yet I woke up in safety, for the Lord was watching over me.
6 I am not afraid of ten thousand enemies who surround me on every side.
7 Arise, O Lord! Rescue me, my God! Slap all my enemies in the face! Shatter the teeth of the wicked!
8 Victory comes from you, O Lord. May you bless your people.
David's own son was trying to kill him. So much for the old saying "it's good to be king!"
Success and blessings are often the things that make others most jealous. We could hope that our friends and loved ones would rejoice in our good fortune, but it doesn't always happen.
I've seen it: A chaplain gets promoted and those around him don't rejoice...they ask "what makes him so special?" Early in my Air Force career a friend of mine was promoted a year ahead of his peers. I'd never seen that happen so I approached my boss and asked "what's the deal?"
My boss said "don't blame him...it's not his fault."
And it wasn't. God gave it to him.
But, many people believe good fortune is a scarce commodity so our blessings come at their expense. They become angry and try to take them away. The sin of pride claims..."I deserve it as much as he does!"
That's the dark side of humanity..
It wasn't his fault...David was given astounding glory and riches and power...all because he was a man after God's own heart...not because he schemed and connived to get there.
And since everything he had become was endowed by God, David had confidence that God would also protect and sustain him. These are uncertain times. Our homes, our jobs, our welfare are at risk. If all we have has been given by God, we can say "O Lord, you are a shield about me...I lie down to sleep and wake up in safety."
"The Lord giveth...and the Lord taketh away. Blessed be the name of the Lord."
This is very good news.
Live boldly out there today...
July 4, 2010
Psalm 2
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, on my holy mountain.”
7 The king proclaims the Lord’s decree: “The Lord said to me, ‘You are my 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 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, 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!
This could get messy....
Human leaders do not naturally want to serve us. In fact, human leaders do not even want to admit they are subservient to God himself. It is in the nature of human leaders to desire more power by whatever means necessary. They "plot together against the Lord and against his anointed one.
They say “Let us break their chains and free ourselves from slavery to God.”
But the King of heaven laughs...
It may not always seem the case, but God in heaven will never allow earthly rulers more power than He wants them to have. Should they aspire to more, God's anger will be kindled against them.
God has always put his own people in charge...at specific times and places...and no earthly ruler can overcome this reality. "Be warned, you rulers of the earth! Serve the Lord with reverent fear, and rejoice with trembling. Submit to God’s royal son, or he will become angry, and you will be destroyed in the midst of all your activities"
Yet...we worry about all this as though it may get out of control. It seems to have in the past. No matter how it appears, we have to ask ourselves..."has any of this escaped God's notice?"
Certainly not. Although God's limits...concerning how far He will let an earthly leader pursue his own dreams...may go beyond our comfort zone.
But...they would be wise not to push God too far. "Submit to God’s royal 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.
And we people of faith have this ever present promise..."what joy for all who take refuge in him!"
Live boldly out there today...
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, on my holy mountain.”
7 The king proclaims the Lord’s decree: “The Lord said to me, ‘You are my 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 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, 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!
This could get messy....
Human leaders do not naturally want to serve us. In fact, human leaders do not even want to admit they are subservient to God himself. It is in the nature of human leaders to desire more power by whatever means necessary. They "plot together against the Lord and against his anointed one.
They say “Let us break their chains and free ourselves from slavery to God.”
But the King of heaven laughs...
It may not always seem the case, but God in heaven will never allow earthly rulers more power than He wants them to have. Should they aspire to more, God's anger will be kindled against them.
God has always put his own people in charge...at specific times and places...and no earthly ruler can overcome this reality. "Be warned, you rulers of the earth! Serve the Lord with reverent fear, and rejoice with trembling. Submit to God’s royal son, or he will become angry, and you will be destroyed in the midst of all your activities"
Yet...we worry about all this as though it may get out of control. It seems to have in the past. No matter how it appears, we have to ask ourselves..."has any of this escaped God's notice?"
Certainly not. Although God's limits...concerning how far He will let an earthly leader pursue his own dreams...may go beyond our comfort zone.
But...they would be wise not to push God too far. "Submit to God’s royal 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.
And we people of faith have this ever present promise..."what joy for all who take refuge in him!"
Live boldly out there today...
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