Thought from today’s Bible reading from Psalm 1-2, 15, 22-24, 47, 68.
“Why are the nations in an uproar and the peoples devising a vain thing?
“The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers take counsel together against the Lord and against His Anointed, saying, ‘Let us tear their fetters apart and cast away their cords from us!’
“He who sits in the heavens laughs, the Lord scoffs at them” (Psalm 2:1-4).
This psalm is prophesying of the crucifixion of Christ. This passage was quoted in the disciples’ prayer following the arrest and release of Peter and John (Acts 4:25-26). After quoting the passage, this commentary was added:
“For truly in this city there were gathered together against Your holy servant Jesus, whom You anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, to do whatever Your hand and Your purpose predestined to occur” (Acts 4:27-28).
All of these people and nations were gathered together against Christ. The psalmist explained why they did so – to tear off the fetters and cast off the cords with which God had bound them (Psalm 2:3).
Regarding civil authorities: their authority is not unlimited. God has granted them only a certain amount of power. The Lord is “far above all rule and authority and power and dominion” (Ephesians 1:21), which means that they are subject to Him.
Without God, civil authorities would become the highest authority over man. If they could somehow destroy His Anointed, they believed their chains would be loosed and they would have no higher authority (God) to whom they would have to answer. So they gathered together against Christ and crucified Him.
But their plan was laughed at by God (Psalm 2:4). They believed they would defeat God and seize ultimate power. Yet this was all part of God’s plan (Acts 4:28; 2:23). In the end, God’s Anointed was raised from the dead, making “a public display” of those authorities who had opposed Him (Colossians 2:15).
Man cannot defeat God. Rather than rebel against Him, “Worship the Lord with reverence” (Psalm 2:11).
Tomorrow’s reading: Psalm 89, 96, 100-101, 105, 132
[I’m using the Chronological reading plan on the Bible Gateway website if you’d like to follow along, too.]
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