Blessed Are Those Who Take Refuge
[ READ ] Psalm 2
The Reign of the Lord's Anointed
1 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.”
7 I will tell of the decree:
The Lord said to me, “You are my Son;
today I have begotten you.
8 Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage,
and the ends of the earth your possession.
9 You shall break them with a rod of iron
and dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel.”
10 Now therefore, O kings, be wise;
be warned, O rulers of the earth.
11 Serve the Lord with fear,
and rejoice with trembling.
12 Kiss the Son,
lest he be angry, and you perish in the way,
for his wrath is quickly kindled.
Blessed are all who take refuge in him.
1 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.”
7 I will tell of the decree:
The Lord said to me, “You are my Son;
today I have begotten you.
8 Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage,
and the ends of the earth your possession.
9 You shall break them with a rod of iron
and dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel.”
10 Now therefore, O kings, be wise;
be warned, O rulers of the earth.
11 Serve the Lord with fear,
and rejoice with trembling.
12 Kiss the Son,
lest he be angry, and you perish in the way,
for his wrath is quickly kindled.
Blessed are all who take refuge in him.
These words have been attributed to King David (see Acts 4:25) and we see evidence of that when the believers were praying for courage after Jesus was crucified and resurrected. After being released from prison Peter and John returned to the other believers and lifted up the first three verses of the Psalm after proclaiming: “O Sovereign Lord, Creator of heaven and earth, the sea and everything in them—-you spoke long ago by the Holy Spirit through our ancestor David, your servant speaking the words of this Psalm.”
Most images of kings and rulers in our culture and media are negative. Usually the focus is on the unjust rule or abuse of authority. Think King George in Hamilton, Emperor Palpatine in Star Wars and of course the classic Lord Farquaad from Shrek. More often than not, we’re conditioned to think that kings are bad and in many cases they are. But, what if you’d be better off living under a king? The answer to that question would depend on who the king is, right? The story of scripture tells us there is a perfectly just, holy and loving king. The bible begins and ends with a picture of God’s loving rule and as followers of Jesus, we do not just follow a loving savior, we follow a good and gracious king.
The Psalm is divided into 4 significant sections:
Part I: The nations are raging and rebelling against God’s word (verses 1-3)
Part II: We can be certain of God’s word as He laughs at the folly of the rulers and the people of the earth (verses 4-6)
Part III: God issues a decree to install his Son on the throne forever (verses 7-9)
Part IV: Do we run to the King and experience God’s joy or run from the King where we will not be saved (verses 10-12)
- Lynn Kellner
Most images of kings and rulers in our culture and media are negative. Usually the focus is on the unjust rule or abuse of authority. Think King George in Hamilton, Emperor Palpatine in Star Wars and of course the classic Lord Farquaad from Shrek. More often than not, we’re conditioned to think that kings are bad and in many cases they are. But, what if you’d be better off living under a king? The answer to that question would depend on who the king is, right? The story of scripture tells us there is a perfectly just, holy and loving king. The bible begins and ends with a picture of God’s loving rule and as followers of Jesus, we do not just follow a loving savior, we follow a good and gracious king.
The Psalm is divided into 4 significant sections:
Part I: The nations are raging and rebelling against God’s word (verses 1-3)
Part II: We can be certain of God’s word as He laughs at the folly of the rulers and the people of the earth (verses 4-6)
Part III: God issues a decree to install his Son on the throne forever (verses 7-9)
Part IV: Do we run to the King and experience God’s joy or run from the King where we will not be saved (verses 10-12)
- Lynn Kellner
[ EXAMINE ] the passage. At this point, answer some questions about the meaning of the text. Take time to reflect.
+ David may have written these words during a time when the surrounding pagan nations were conspiring against Israel. But he knew and believed that God’s promise would be fulfilled and that the promised Messiah would come through his bloodline. Why might the Hebrews have missed this promise?
+ To submit to God’s royal son means to surrender to him. It means we submit every day. This command comes with a promise of true joy. Do you think the Hebrews felt that joy as they were running for their lives from the Pagan kings?
+ David may have written these words during a time when the surrounding pagan nations were conspiring against Israel. But he knew and believed that God’s promise would be fulfilled and that the promised Messiah would come through his bloodline. Why might the Hebrews have missed this promise?
+ To submit to God’s royal son means to surrender to him. It means we submit every day. This command comes with a promise of true joy. Do you think the Hebrews felt that joy as they were running for their lives from the Pagan kings?
[ APPLY ] the passage to your own life.
+ Is there sin to confess or a next step to take? How has it gone since last time?
+ How often do we plan away from the directions of God? One of my favorite pop expressions is “People plan and God laughs”.
+ God is never frantic, anxious or wondering what He will do in response to human opposition. How can you take that thought to your own life?
+ Is there sin to confess or a next step to take? How has it gone since last time?
+ How often do we plan away from the directions of God? One of my favorite pop expressions is “People plan and God laughs”.
+ God is never frantic, anxious or wondering what He will do in response to human opposition. How can you take that thought to your own life?
[ PRAY ] through the passage and your application, and ask God to change your heart and your life.
+ Pray with me:
Heavenly Father, thank You that in Your grace You have told us the end from the beginning and have promised that we are safe and secure in Your gracious hands. Lord, there are many individuals, leaders, and nations, that are raging against You and conspiring against the Lord Jesus Christ, and the world seems to be spiralling out of control. Thank You that Your Word stands fast forever and that the day is coming when Christ will rule this earth with equity and justice. Blessed are those that put their trust in You, and choose to walk in Your word and Your ways. We pray in Jesus' name, Amen!
+ Pray with me:
Heavenly Father, thank You that in Your grace You have told us the end from the beginning and have promised that we are safe and secure in Your gracious hands. Lord, there are many individuals, leaders, and nations, that are raging against You and conspiring against the Lord Jesus Christ, and the world seems to be spiralling out of control. Thank You that Your Word stands fast forever and that the day is coming when Christ will rule this earth with equity and justice. Blessed are those that put their trust in You, and choose to walk in Your word and Your ways. We pray in Jesus' name, Amen!
[ SHARE ] what God is teaching you with at least one person: your roommate,
your spouse, your kids, or your coworkers. Don’t keep what God taught you to
yourself.
(e.g., your family around the dinner table, a friend, co-worker or neighbor- for help join a community group at downtownhope.org/community-groups)
+ Who in your life can you encourage with the good news of the gospel?
your spouse, your kids, or your coworkers. Don’t keep what God taught you to
yourself.
(e.g., your family around the dinner table, a friend, co-worker or neighbor- for help join a community group at downtownhope.org/community-groups)
+ Who in your life can you encourage with the good news of the gospel?
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