A MEDITATION ON 2020

My daughter wrote a poem that was inspired by words from the prophet Amos.  Twice the LORD asked him--What do you see?  How we respond to events in the world around us is directly influenced by what we see.  Our first response is usually in the flesh.  But as Christians, we should be learning to look at everything through spiritual eyes that focus through the lens of the truth of scripture.  How blessed we are to know that God's plan for the ages is unfolding according to His will under His divine oversight. Although the way it is unfolding is not according to my expectation, it is certainly in accordance with the prophecies of scripture.  I hope you are blessed by her poem (used with permission).

“2020”

What do you see—disease and death?

Or the fruit of a Fall, the great unrest

What do you see—violence and hate?

Or the following of footsteps, misguided to date

What do you see—cancel culture?

Or a strategic weapon of our enemy vulture

What do you see—stubborn ignorance?

Or a clinging to what’s familiar, just trying to ‘make sense’

What do you see—fires and storms?

Or a merciful call to abandon societal norms

What do you see—isolation and fear?

Or the instinct within when no help is near

What do you see—anxiety and depression?

Or unidentified resources and incomplete solutions

What do you see—an overwhelming mess?

It’s why a Savior came to deliver us

What do you see—a Baby born in humility?

Or an invitation to know heavenly Nobility

What do you see—a powerless purpose?

Or a hope against hope Love died to offer us

What do you see—a future of uncertainty?

Or the sight of His vision fixed on eternity

THE GREAT RESET ACCORDING TO SCRIPTURE

“The Great Reset” is a term one hears a lot in the news lately.  It is a term being used by those who promote global governance, in times past referred to as the “New World Order.”  The scripture actually tells us a lot about such a time that will occur before the LORD Jesus returns to earth to establish His kingdom.  I personally believe we are witnessing the foundations being laid for that time.

So many of the signs foretold in scripture are converging at such a rapid rate that I believe such a “reset” will happen soon.  It seems obvious to me that President Trump and others of his nationalist mindset have served to impede the implementation of this “reset.”  But it can’t be forestalled forever.  Scripture clearly teaches that it is the LORD that sets up and takes down kings and kingdoms in accordance with His will.  

Daniel 2:20–21 “Daniel answered and said, Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever: for wisdom and might are His: And He changeth the times and the seasons: He removeth kings, and setteth up kings….”

Based on that truth, I believe that God will see to it that rulers, be they presidents, kings, prime ministers, etc., who are crucial to the unfolding of His plan will assume those positions in accordance with His will and His timing.  

According to scripture, this worldwide “reset” will occur during the last seven years before Jesus returns as King of kings.  Scripture informs us that the time allotted to the rule of the satanic leader of this worldwide government is 3.5 years, though he will be rising to prominence and influence prior to that time.  In his letter to the Thessalonians, Paul tells us that this person will not be made known until the restraining influence of the Holy Spirit is taken away.  That influence is now present in the world in the person of every Christian that makes up the true church, those that have placed their faith in Jesus as their LORD and Savior.  When Jesus comes to take those believers home to heaven, the restraining power of the Holy Spirit will no longer be present.

When the church has been removed, the spiritual forces of evil will be allowed to have their greatest influence ever since the days of Noah.  Though we cannot identify a specific time in which these events will occur, we can see the signs all around us that identify the season.  I’m going to close by republishing a poem the LORD gave me a couple of years ago.  I pray it will encourage the hearts of believers as we look forward to going home.  I pray it will cause others to think about the truth that is presented in God’s word.  The only reason God has not taken us home yet is because of His longsuffering, his mercy;  He doesn’t want anyone to perish, to suffer the torment of hell.  Is He waiting on you?

2 Peter 3:9 “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”  

THE SIGNS OF THE TIMES

Do you not see

The signs of the times

Foretold by the prophets of old?

Distress among nations

Moral decay

A focus on pleasures and gold.

Sin is abounding

Consciences seared 

God’s word is no longer revered.

His truth is rejected 

Wrong declared right

Accepted by many and cheered.

Deception is rampant

Blasphemy common

Those that are good are despised.

Natural affections

Are being rejected 

We’re urged to support gay pride.

The family unit

Is being destroyed

Marriage has been redefined.

Boys are girls

Girls are boys

Gender a choice of the mind.

Advances in science

Are crossing the bounds

Established by God at creation.

Experiments done

They quickly explain

For man’s good as their justification.

Satellites, lasers

Computers and chips

The powers that be want control.

Agendas prepared

Alliances formed

As Satan’s influence grows.

Most important 

Of all the signs

Declared to be part of God’s plan.

Descendants of Abraham

Isaac and Jacob

Are living once more in their land.

The prophet Ezekiel 

Predicted the rise

Of dusty dry bones from the earth.

The nation of Israel

A home for the Jews

In one day declared its rebirth.

Life is no different 

Than in Noah’s day

He preached and warned in vain.

Mocking and laughing

They called him a fool

Til one day the flood waters came.

One day soon

Millions will vanish

Taken by God to heaven.

Perilous times

Will then ensue

Full of terror, pain and oppression.

Many still try

But it can’t be denied

God’s word is faithful and true.

Turn from your sin

Be born again

Experience a life that is new.

Jesus died

Upon the cross

He suffered for your salvation.

The choice you make

To receive Him or not

Will determine your soul’s destination.

Do you not see

The signs of the times

Foretold by the prophets of old?

Don’t put it off

Accept Jesus today

Become safe and secure in His hold.

MAY YOU HAVE A BLESSED THANKSGIVING!!

 

A MEDITATION ON PSALM 64 FOR AFTER THE ELECTION

The application I believe is obvious.  I rest in the fact that God is in control and His purposes will be accomplished. 

Psalms 64:1 ¶ Hear my voice, O God, in my prayer: preserve my life from fear of the enemy.

David cries out to God, pleading for Him to hear his prayer and not “let my enemies’ threats overwhelm me.” (NLT)  Again, I can relate.  It is often the fear of the power of our enemy (evil spiritual forces) that can bring us down despite what we know about our Father in heaven and His promises to supply our every need when we place our trust in Him. 

Guzik quoting Maclaren:  “He can but pray, but he can pray; and no man is helpless who can look up. However high and closely engirdling may be the walls that men or sorrows build around us, there is always an opening in the dungeon roof, through which heaven is visible and prayers can mount.”

Psalms 64:2 Hide me from the secret counsel of the wicked; from the insurrection of the workers of iniquity:

Psalms 64:3 Who whet their tongue like a sword, and bend their bows to shoot their arrows, even bitter words:

Psalms 64:4 That they may shoot in secret at the perfect: suddenly do they shoot at him, and fear not.

Again, I like the wording of the NLT: “Protect me from the plots of the wicked, from the scheming of those who do evil.  Sharp tongues are the swords they wield; bitter words are the arrows they aim.  They shoot from ambush at the innocent, attacking suddenly and fearlessly.” 

The wording of these verses and those that follow makes me think that this prayer was uttered during the time David was king since the weapons being referenced were sharp tongues and bitter words instead of real swords and spears.  These enemies are seeking to slander David’s reputation as they secretly plot against him.  

V4 “perfect” – The Hebrew makes reference to being “morally pious, upright”; one who is seeking to obey God. 

Spurgeon: “Slander has ever been the master weapon of the good man's enemies, and great is the care of the malicious to use it effectively. As warriors grind their swords, to give them an edge which will cut deep and wound desperately, so do the unscrupulous invent falsehoods which shall be calculated to inflict pain, to stab the reputation, to kill the honour of the righteous.”

Psalms 64:5 They encourage themselves in an evil matter: they commune of laying snares privily; they say, Who shall see them?

It is true that wicked men joined together find strength in numbers as they make their cowardly evil plans.  They are confident that what they do in secret will not be discovered. 

Psalms 64:6 They search out iniquities; they accomplish a diligent search: both the inward thought of every one of them, and the heart, is deep.

These evil men pride themselves on their carefully laid plans to accomplish their evil purposes.  They are sure of their ability to outsmart those who might choose to stop them.

Psalms 64:7 ¶ But God shall shoot at them with an arrow; suddenly shall they be wounded.

Psalms 64:8 So they shall make their own tongue to fall upon themselves: all that see them shall flee away.

What these evil men don’t take into consideration is that God knows all about their evil plans.  In His perfect time, He will intervene and turn their evil plans against them, causing them to flee in fear.

Psalms 64:9 And all men shall fear, and shall declare the work of God; for they shall wisely consider of his doing.

Psalms 64:10 The righteous shall be glad in the Lord, and shall trust in him; and all the upright in heart shall glory.

All men that witness God’s action against evil men will stand in awe of His power.  Those that are committed to living right before God will find their faith strengthened and their hearts filled with praise to the LORD when they witness His hand at work on behalf of those that trust in Him.

AN ELECTION MEDITATION FROM GOD'S WORD

Tomorrow is an important day—for our country and for the world.  I personally believe the results of this election will serve as a bellwether of how close we are to the fulfillment of prophecy as foretold for the end times preceding the return of Jesus to establish His kingdom on earth.  Yes, I know that America is not mentioned in bible prophecy—and that’s my point.  If the radical left are put in the position of power, I believe that America will soon fall as a dominant world player and the stage will more quickly be set for the rise of Antichrist and the judgment of God’s wrath.  Although I would love to see the LORD show us mercy and allow more time for those I love who are unsaved to turn to Him in faith and repentance, I know His timing will be perfect and that none will be lost who would choose to accept His gift of salvation.

John 6:37 “All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.”

I do not fear what the future holds because I know Who holds the future.  The beautiful words of the psalmist resonate with me.  I pray that as you think about these truths, you too will be filled with peace and stay strong in your faith—whatever the results of the election.

Psalm 34:4–10 “I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears….The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them. O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him. O fear the LORD, ye his saints: for there is no want to them that fear him. The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the LORD shall not want any good thing.”

Psalm 34:15–19 “The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry. The face of the LORD is against them that do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth. The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles. The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all.”

So many of the psalms contain reference to David seeking the LORD, the LORD hearing his prayer, and the LORD delivering him in answer to his prayer.  Why does David express this truth so many times?  Because he knows from experience that God will respond.  Just as He did for David, the LORD makes provision for men and women of faith who are living in obedience to Him, delivering, equipping and strengthening (all from the Hebrew for delivereth) them according to their need.

“Taste and see” is obviously referencing knowledge based on experience, on relationship and intimate fellowship.  If we will submit to the LORD and follow Him in faith and obedience, we will find that He is good.  This is not an if statement; it is a statement of fact.  Fellowship and obedience to the LORD always result in a person being blessed/happy.  What does that mean?  Again, let’s look to Webster:  “….Experiencing the effect of favorable fortune; having the feeling arising from the consciousness of well-being or of enjoyment; enjoying good of any kind, as peace, tranquility, comfort; contented; joyous….”

This definition includes the obvious, but it also includes the not so obvious—a feeling of joy and peace because your conscience is clear and you know you are in fellowship with the LORD.  We know that every servant of God will experience times of testing that God allows in our life for spiritual growth, but we can still experience peace and joy through those times if we keep our focus on God’s love for us, knowing that the reward will be well worth the experience.

Matthew 5:11-12 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven….”

2Corinthians 4:17 “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight (abundance) of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.”

In poetic repetition, David emphasizes the truth that the person who fears the LORD will lack nothing that they need, in fact they will lack nothing that is “good” for them.  To fear God is to recognize Who He is and to respond with obedience and reverence in light of that knowledge.  The “young lions” seems to be a reference to those that are not yet mature and knowledgeable enough to be consistently successful in their endeavors at getting the necessary food for growth and sustenance.  Those who seek (pursue, to worship, with diligence) the LORD will be given every good thing needed for spiritual growth and sustenance.  

The LORD is obviously also aware of our physical needs and will supply those as well; however, He is more concerned with our spiritual needs.  The thing to remember is that how we define our needs compared to how He defines our needs may be entirely different.  Jesus taught this truth in the Sermon on the Mount.

Matthew 6:25-33 “Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?  Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?  Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?  And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:  And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.  Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?  Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?  (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.  But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”

God is omniscient; He sees everything done by everybody—righteous and unrighteous.  The LORD watches over His servants with eyes of love and concern for what is good for us.  His ears are always listening for our cries for help in time of need or distress.

It is also true that He watches the wicked with a desire to rid the planet of their wickedness.  Most of us don’t like to hear this truth presented; we would rather hear about God’s love and forgiveness.  God would rather that all men repent and live, but those who choose not to repent will be judged accordingly.  Planet earth will one day be made new and will never again experience the effects of sin.

Ezekiel 33:11 “Say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live….”

Revelation 21:8 “But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.”

Isaiah 65:17 “For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind.”

Note that the righteous will have troubles, but they can always look forward to deliverance; and sometimes that deliverance is taking us on home to be with Him.  The unrighteous can only look forward to worse trouble—an eternity without God.

The psalmist goes on to expand the thought of God’s deliverance of the righteous.  A broken heart or contrite (crushed, bruised) spirit can be caused by someone else or can result from agony of spirit due to your own sinfulness.  I think God’s nearness is evident to His servants in both types of experience.  The nearness of God speaks to me of love, comfort, and sustenance.  Salvation speaks of complete deliverance through healing and forgiveness. 

Scripture tells us that it is only because of the love of God that we can be made righteous and look forward to everlasting life in His presence.

John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

Ephesians 2:8-9 “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.”

Romans 8:1 “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus….”

 

MEDITATION FROM MICAH 6:16

I am currently going through the book of Micah again, and wanted to share my thoughts from this verse.

Mic. 6:16 For the statutes of Omri are kept, and all the works of the house of Ahab, and ye walk in their counsels; that I should make thee a desolation, and the inhabitants thereof an hissing: therefore ye shall bear the reproach of my people. 

Omri and Ahab, his son, were evil kings.

1Kings 16:25-26 & 29-30 “But Omri wrought evil in the eyes of the LORD, and did worse than all that were before him.  For he walked in all the way of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, and in his sin wherewith he made Israel to sin, to provoke the LORD God of Israel to anger with their vanities….And in the thirty and eighth year of Asa king of Judah began Ahab the son of Omri to reign over Israel: and Ahab the son of Omri reigned over Israel in Samaria twenty and two years.  And Ahab the son of Omri did evil in the sight of the LORD above all that were before him.”

This is a terrible indictment from God.  He is declaring that His people have chosen to follow the example of these evil kings rather than obey Almighty God.  Because of their wickedness and rejection of Him, He is going to bring the nation to ruin and make His people an object of shame and derision among the nations.

I can’t help but want to make application to America today.  No matter how the revisionist historians try to paint it, we were founded as a Christian nation, a people that honored God.  We have steadily and purposely chosen to follow a path of rejection of God and His Word through the leadership of those in our government and judicial system.  God is not going to allow our rejection of Him and our disregard for His word to go unpunished.  He will hold us accountable just as surely as He held Israel and Judah accountable.  I personally believe we are already feeling the effects of judgment, but I also believe that there is much worse to come.  I am also reminded that the LORD established a principle in His dealings with Israel, and it’s found in the book of Chronicles.

2Chronicles 7:14 “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” 

This verse has been echoing in my thoughts a lot recently.  The principle is that if God’s people, we who claim His name, who call ourselves Christian, will—

• Humble ourselves
• Pray
• Seek God’s face 
• Turn from our wicked ways

--then God will hear, forgive and heal the land.

The call is to God’s people, not those who have rejected Him.  We who are Christians are God's people.  I can’t help but wonder how many of us are quick to condemn the heathen in our nation without consideration of our own responsibility and where we are falling short.  Have we as Christians truly humbled ourselves to make God the LORD of our life?  Are we fervent in prayer with a burden for the church and our nation and ALL its leaders?  Do we seek God’s face in asking Him to identify where we need to change and what we need to do differently?  Do we seek His face as to how we can encourage other Christians to yield to Him as LORD?  Are we willing to give up our own sins—no matter how minor we might consider them to be?  Do we discern and identify what is wicked and what is good according to God’s word rather than the world’s standards?  Do we justify compromises in the name of tolerance and political correctness?  The LORD wants each one of us to examine ourselves and make corrections where we don't measure up.

2 Corinthians 13:5 “Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves.”

WORDS OF WARNING FROM THE PROPHET AMOS

I am in the process of going through my bible journals a second time and recently went through the book of Amos again.  As I go through the prophets, there are always thoughts that jump out to me with application to America.  Yes, these prophecies were made to another nation of another time; but the character of God hasn’t changed, nor have His methods of judgment in light of continued unrepentant sin.  I want to share with you just a few of the things that stood out to me in that regard.  I pray that they will encourage you to pray for our nation and seek to do your part spread the gospel and the truth of God’s word.

Amos 2:4 Thus saith the LORD; For three transgressions of Judah, and for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof; because they have despised the law of the LORD, and have not kept his commandments….

The obvious danger flag in this verse is the fact that God is going to judge Judah because “they have despised the law of the LORD.”  It cannot be denied that America as a nation is guilty of this sin.  The word of God has been banned in our schools and in our government.  We have enacted laws that are in direct disobedience to God’s will as revealed in His word.  We have made it legal to kill babies in the womb and even after they are born.  We have made it the law of the land to recognize marriage between same sex couples.  We have determined that sexual orientation is a matter of choice rather than biological genetic determination. And the list could go on.

Amos 3:10 For they know not to do right, saith the LORD, who store up violence and robbery in their palaces.

The NLT is a bit clearer:  “My people have forgotten what it means to do right,” says the LORD. “Their fortresses are filled with wealth taken by theft and violence.”

I believe this is a direct indictment against those that abuse their power and privilege to take advantage of others.  There are many of our government leaders that are guilty of this sin.  There are also many among the wealthy that use their money and influence to deceive the masses and propagate lies to their own self-serving purposes as well.

These people have been deceived by the enemy, Satan, the father of lies.  They may actually think that they are getting away with all their evil schemes.  How shocked they are going to be when they stand before Almighty God in judgment and the books are opened that contain a record of all their evil deeds.

Amos 4:6-10 And I also have given you cleanness of teeth in all your cities, and want of bread in all your places: yet have ye not returned unto me, saith the LORD.  And also I have withholden the rain from you, when there were yet three months to the harvest: and I caused it to rain upon one city, and caused it not to rain upon another city…yet have ye not returned unto me, saith the LORD.  I have smitten you with blasting and mildew: when your gardens and your vineyards and your fig trees and your olive trees increased, the palmerworm devoured them: yet have ye not returned unto me, saith the LORD.  I have sent among you the pestilence after the manner of Egypt: your young men have I slain with the sword….

These verses make it clear that God makes use of nature when exercising judgment against nations.  Obviously, not every natural catastrophe falls into this category; but every natural catastrophe should give us pause to stop and consider the possibility.  Cleanness of teeth is a reference to crop failures and famine.  Drought has a serious impact on water supply, in turn again impacting our food supply.  Blasting and mildew are again noted as directly impacting food supply.  Pestilence is a reference to plague and contagious or infectious epidemic disease.  The murder of young men can be a direct consequence of the LORD removing His hand of protection and trying to get people to fall on their knees in faith and repentance before Him.

Point is made that in spite of all God’s actions, the people refused to return to the LORD in repentance of their sin.  Why?  Because they have been deceived by the enemy; they don’t know how to do right.  Why?  Because they have rejected the word of God and the God of the word.

Amos 4:12-13 Therefore thus will I do unto thee, O Israel: and because I will do this unto thee, prepare to meet thy God, O Israel.  For, lo, he that formeth the mountains, and createth the wind, and declareth unto man what is his thought, that maketh the morning darkness, and treadeth upon the high places of the earth, The LORD, The God of hosts, is his name. 

As the prophet continues to declare God’s message, He states that because they have refused to repent in response to His actions in the past, they now face destruction and captivity.  Verse 13 emphasizes the truth that these aren’t the words of an impotent, lifeless idol.  They are the words of YHWH, the Creator, the One who formed the mountains and created the winds.  The One who declares His truth to man through His prophets.  (Some commentators think this is a reference to God knowing the thoughts of man.  As far as I’m concerned, both understandings are true.)  The One who established day and night and is sovereign over the whole earth.  These are the words of God, the one and only, who has ultimate power and authority to do what He says He will do.  Nothing and no one can stand against Him!

“prepare to meet thy God” – These should be words to thrill the soul with excitement and anticipation.  Sadly, the context is one that should provoke fear.

Amos 5:4-6 For thus saith the LORD unto the house of Israel, Seek ye me, and ye shall live:  But seek not Bethel, nor enter into Gilgal, and pass not to Beersheba: for Gilgal shall surely go into captivity, and Bethel shall come to nought.  Seek the LORD, and ye shall live; lest he break out like fire in the house of Joseph, and devour it, and there be none to quench it in Bethel.

As He always does in His mercy, the LORD declares that forgiveness is available for those who will choose to seek Him in faith and repentance.  He makes the point that their sincerity will be evidenced by coming to Him on His terms. 

It always intrigues me how we humans think we have the right to expect our Creator, The God of the universe, to accept us on our terms instead of His.  So many today are convinced that if their good deeds outweigh their bad, they’ll get to go to heaven.  With that statement they are conceding there is a heaven and, in turn, a God in heaven who determines who is qualified to enter.  He has clearly explained in scripture that the only qualification He will accept is faith in His Son Jesus as the sacrifice for our sin and LORD of our life.  Still, many refuse to believe that He really means what He says.  What an arrogant stance to take before Almighty God; and, sadly, how many are going to suffer an eternity outside His presence because they refuse to believe Him!

Amos 5:14-15 Seek good, and not evil, that ye may live: and so the LORD, the God of hosts, shall be with you, as ye have spoken.  Hate the evil, and love the good, and establish judgment in the gate.…

Again, the Lord offers hope; if you will choose to do what is good, you may live.  When you have God’s mindset toward good and evil, you will practice righteous discernment in judgment.  Good, evil, and right discernment in judgment will always align with the truth of God’s word.

Amos 6:1, 4-6 Woe to them that are at ease in Zion, and trust in the mountain of Samaria, which are named chief of the nations, to whom the house of Israel came!….That lie upon beds of ivory, and stretch themselves upon their couches, and eat the lambs out of the flock, and the calves out of the midst of the stall; That chant to the sound of the viol, and invent to themselves instruments of musick, like David; That drink wine in bowls, and anoint themselves with the chief ointments: but they are not grieved for the affliction of Joseph.

Just as the leaders and people of Israel, the leaders and people of our nation seem to think we are invulnerable.  In comparison to most nations on earth, we live in the lap of luxury.  We take great pleasure in various forms of worldly entertainment that promote sin and show direct defiance to the LORD.  We seem to think our good works far outweigh our bad. How deluded we are!  When attention is given to the poor and downtrodden, it is often a result of personal motivation for personal, political or financial considerations.  

Amos 9:8 Behold, the eyes of the Lord GOD are upon the sinful kingdom, and I will destroy it from off the face of the earth; saving that I will not utterly destroy the house of Jacob, saith the LORD.

In this verse, God pronounces judgment on the nation.  It is the “sinful kingdom” that is going to be destroyed; in context, this is a reference to the Northern Kingdom of Israel.  The LORD is careful to note, however, that He is going to preserve a remnant from the house of Jacob.  The phrase “I will not utterly destroy” declares the truth that though the nation of Israel will be destroyed, some of the descendants of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob will be allowed to live.

The warning—If God is willing to judge the nation of His own people with such severity, should not other nations expect judgment that is no less severe if they continue to reject Him.

A MEDITATION ON PSALM 2

Psa. 2:1 Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing? 

“Heathen” is a reference to the Gentile peoples.  

“rage” = Violent excitement; eager passion; extreme vehemence of desire, emotion, or suffering, mastering the will.

It would seem that the Psalmist is referencing a time when the Gentiles are violently passionate and eagerly plotting something that is doomed to failure?  The next verses define the plan.

Psa. 2:2 The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed, saying, 

Psa. 2:3 Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us. 

The rulers of the nations are plotting against “YHWH” and His anointed, the Messiah, Jesus.  They are planning a way to be free from His chastisement (according to the Hebrew) and His controlling hand.  This is an interesting thought in and of itself.  It means that there is a time yet future, since I don’t think this has ever been true in history before (except maybe at the time of the tower of Babel) when the nations of the world have recognized God as the ruling power in the world and have united in an effort to usurp His authority.  The most logical reference in my mind would be to the final battle of Armageddon, since the anointed one is going to be placed on the throne as King over the whole earth subsequent to this “vain thing” (v6).

Events in America today (2021) are foreshadowing such a time as violent passion is being exercised in an attempt to implement a culture that totally disregards God and His word.  In the process, those leading this rebellion are also attempting to destroy the church and deprive us of the freedom to worship and serve the LORD.

Psa. 2:4 He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision. 

The One Who dwells in the heavens, the Lord God, will look on them with scorn and mockery.  Who do they think they are to think they can overpower Me?

Psa. 2:5 Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure. 

The Hebrew for the word “speak” includes “to subdue or destroy.”  The word “vex” includes the idea of causing fear.  The key is that the Lord is going to cause fear and destruction when He responds in anger to the heathen as they attempt to overpower Him.

I believe this is a direct reference to the final day of the LORD, the time of God’s wrath against the wicked.

Isaiah 13:6 Howl ye; for the day of the LORD is at hand; it shall come as a destruction from the Almighty.  Therefore shall all hands be faint, and every man’s heart shall melt:  And they shall be afraid: pangs and sorrows shall take hold of them; they shall be in pain as a woman that travaileth: they shall be amazed one at another; their faces shall be as flames. Behold, the day of the LORD cometh, cruel both with wrath and fierce anger, to lay the land desolate: and he shall destroy the sinners thereof out of it. For the stars of heaven and the constellations thereof shall not give their light: the sun shall be darkened in his going forth, and the moon shall not cause her light to shine. And I will punish the world for their evil, and the wicked for their iniquity; and I will cause the arrogancy of the proud to cease, and will lay low the haughtiness of the terrible. I will make a man more precious than fine gold; even a man than the golden wedge of Ophir. Therefore I will shake the heavens, and the earth shall remove out of her place, in the wrath of the LORD of hosts, and in the day of his fierce anger.

Joel 3:14-16 Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision: for the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision. The sun and the moon shall be darkened, and the stars shall withdraw their shining. The LORD also shall roar out of Zion, and utter his voice from Jerusalem; and the heavens and the earth shall shake: but the LORD will be the hope of his people, and the strength of the children of Israel.

Obadiah 1:15 “For the day of the LORD is near upon all the heathen: as thou hast done, it shall be done unto thee: thy reward shall return upon thine own head.”

Psa. 2:6 Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion. 

In God’s eyes His victory is certain and is declared as already accomplished.  He has set His king upon Zion (the temple mount in Jerusalem), the place He has chosen for His throne on earth.  

Psa. 2:7 I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee.

Now we have the Son, speaking the decree (appointment, commandment) of the Father.  It would seem that the Father is declaring the fulfillment of all He had planned for His Son being brought to fruition as He places Him on the throne in Jerusalem as King and Lord.  This will occur at the onset of the millennium after the Battle of Armageddon that ends the 70th week of Daniel.

Psa. 2:8 Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession. 

“Ask of me” – This was interesting wording to me.  It is a father’s joy to bless his child.  The Son is aware of the Father’s plan and His place in it.  He can ask with confidence and assurance that the Father will delight in fulfilling His desire.  

Interestingly, the Hebrew for the word “possession” includes the idea of something seized.  The sin of man allowed Satan to take possession as god of this world.  

2Corinthians 4:4a In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not….

Though allowed to continue for the time allotted to accomplish God’s plan of redemption, Jesus will “seize” possession once again when He comes in victory to rule as King and Lord.

Psa. 2:9 Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel. 

At Armageddon the heathen forces of Satan and his Antichrist will be thoroughly destroyed like a piece of pottery that has been broken into many tiny pieces.

Psa. 2:10 Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth. 

Psa. 2:11 Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling. 

Psa. 2:12 Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.

“wise” – be circumspect, intelligent, consider, understand

“instructed” – chastened, chastised, corrected, reproved

The Psalmist is closing with words of advice and wisdom for those in positions of authority and judgment.  Think carefully on what is about to be said.  Let it serve to chasten you and correct your actions. 

“Serve the Lord with fear” – This statement implies that the rulers and judges have not been serving the Lord.  They have not treated Him with respect.  They have not respected His power and authority.  The thought of God’s power should cause us to tremble in fear at the thought of ever being disobedient.  When we serve the Lord with a proper respect and awe of Who He is, we are in a position to be able to rejoice because we are in a position of fellowship instead of disobedience.

It is really sad and even scary to think of how little fear of God there is in this world and our own nation—and, if we are honest, even in our own lives.  If we truly feared God, our actions would certainly be more selfless, loving and God-centered.  Our words would be more thoughtful, uplifting, and full of praise to God.  If we truly feared God, we would serve Him.

I thought the Hebrew for the word “kiss” was interesting.  It included the idea of attachment to and catching fire.  This paints a picture to me of one who is extreme in his desire to stay connected to and in fellowship with the Son, Jesus, the King.  Why?  He has a healthy fear of His power and authority.  He doesn’t want to be the recipient of even the smallest expression of God’s wrath.  

The last phrase in this Psalm makes an immediate connection to Psalm 1.  Happy is the man who places his trust in the Lord.  Trust involves expectation of protection and confidence of a place of refuge and safety.  How do we get to such a position?  By delighting in the Word of God and meditating on it day and night.

The more I read the scripture, the more clearly I see the inspiration of the Holy Spirit throughout it.  Why would these thoughts be expressed by David unless they were breathed into him by the Spirit of God?  Very little of it seemed to apply to David’s rule as king in Israel.  He was aware of his position as God’s anointed King for the nation of Israel, and he did experience attack from the heathen.  He was confident of security in his position because he trusted in the power and authority of Almighty God.  He did serve the Lord in fear and was able to rejoice because of it.  David was prophesying of the time when Jesus would sit in Jerusalem as King over all the earth.  Did he understand the significance of what he was saying?  I don’t know, but he was obedient to the prompting of the Spirit to record this prophecy.

Oh that the leaders of America would heed the admonition of the Psalmist and serve the Lord with fear.  Oh that they would attach themselves with fervor and passionate love to the Son.  Even so, come Lord Jesus!