Take the Right Stand

When was the last time you got frustrated by something or someone in the world around us? Today? Yesterday? Yeah, me, too. It is really easy to become indignant by what we see and experience daily, which we forget is the result of sin, and we also tend to forget our own shortcomings (notice how when it’s US we say “shortcomings”, and when it’s someone else we say “sin” much more readily). Christians are obviously not exempt from disappointing us, but what is more alarming is seeing those around us (lost AND saved) behave toward God with a brash boldness, as if His way does not matter.


I began reading through the Psalms this month, attempting to read them all in February It is difficult to come up with a brief summary of outstanding points, because there are so many when you read five or six Psalms together. My focus this morning rested in Psalm 2: 1-6, 12.

The sentiment here parallels what I see in Romans 1 as well…people do not by nature want to be under the control of anyone or anything, and that includes God. They get rid of their fetters and cords. Fetters and cords were devices used to control animals. We might think of a horse that has gotten rid of a harness and reins. People are compared to animals that will not be controlled, and would rather be left to their own ways.

In resisting God, they develop a resentment for Him, and more and more boldly take a stand against Him. Bad move!

What can God do? The question is more like, what does God do. He laughs. He has already answered the bold stand they have taken, with the Messiah, with Jesus Christ. Again, thinking of Romans, God allows us to be slaves to sin or slaves to righteousness. We can obey ourselves or Him. Many choose poorly.

In light of this truth, the psalmist is not worried. His day is not ruined by watching what others do and how they live. And if he is not worried, neither should we be.

However, we would do well to warn others of what is to come. Verse 12 speaks of God’s wrath, which may soon be kindled. Indeed, any day, at any moment, His final wrath may begin. The answer to standing against God, Jesus Christ Himself, will return and remove any doubt or concern for the believer, once and for all. TODAY is the day of salvation (2 Corinthians 6:1-2)!

Praying for more and more opportunities to share what we know and to that which we hold fast.



SIDE NOTE: As you read through the Psalms, take note of how often the theme of sleeping, resting in safety, etc. comes up. Many Psalms were written in times of great stress and danger, so to write about resting and sleeping, while not worrying about what would happen when falling asleep, shows to them a great deal of trust in the security of the Lord. We would do well to “sleep” more often, putting more and more trust in the Lord.