8..."Ask of me,

and I will make the nations your inheritance,

the ends of the earth your possession.

9You will rule them with an iron scepter;

you will dash them to pieces like pottery."

10Therefore, you kings, be wise;

be warned, you rulers of the earth.

11Serve the Lord with fear

and rejoice with trembling.

12Kiss the Son, lest he be angry

and you be destroyed in your way, 

for his wrath can flare up in a moment,

Blessed are all who take refuge in him.

Is This a Control Issue?

Why do we ignore the power and the wrath of God?

Is it because we are uncomfortable with it?

Does it scare us that He will “break [His enemies] with a rod of iron” and

“dash them to pieces like a potter's vessel”? (verse 9)

That should scare us.

“Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling.” (verse 11)

We are taught to embrace God in both fear and love.

We can't just choose one or the other.

“Kiss the Son, lest he be angry , and you perish in the way,

when His wrath is kindled but a little.

Blessed are all those who put their trust in Him.” (verse 12)

It's essential that we have some grasp of the strength of God.

Knowing His might and faithfulness

is what gives us assurance in His protection.

We can take refuge in knowing that we serve

the God who has defeated death.

[Submitted by Shae Spencer]

Why do the nations conspire and the peoples plot in vain?

"Let us break their chains," they say...

Ask of me and I will make the nations your inheritance, the ends of the earth your possession.

Your Invitation

 ⁸ Ask of me, 

       and I will make the nations your inheritance, 

       the ends of the earth your possession. 

"Ask.  Ask and EXPECT. Ask believing God will ANSWER. God provides. God [WANTS to] provide. He wants you to ask. 
... He is waiting."

Two Thoughts

Psalm 1 and 2 seem to be opposites in terms of the Law.  The man living by Psalm 1 delights in the Law and he then is compared to a tree going by streams of waters which yields its fruit in season.   Whatever Psalm 1 man does prospers.  Psalm 2 people gather together and plot in vain against the Lord.  The Lord does not think much of their plans in fact He laughs at them.  The people defy the Law of the Lord again and again but He reminds that His King is already in place on Zion.

Its interesting that first psalms are such opposites.  Or rather that wickedness talked about in Psalm 1 is ever present in the second Psalm.  The people of this day had a choice...  Would they delight in or defy the Law?   



I like to watch crime shows and movies that narrate the story of how defectives work to solve many different types of heinous crimes.  Usually, I watch these shows at night without any of the lights on.  I snuggle under a blanket to enjoy an hour or two of entertainment.  Sometimes when the show is done, I am the only one up in my house and must go around and lock all the doors.  This involves going past a lot of windows which are suddenly quite scary after watching serial killers and robbers attack their victims. Needless to say my eyes are quick to spot anything that moves outside and hear anything unusual.  After I have made my way downstairs to my room I make sure to tuck the covers around me in real snug (like a baby in their swaddling clothes).  Somehow this makes me feel safe and able to nod off to sleep.

This is my story of refuge.  It pails in comparison to the refuge that God provides us.  Blessed is the man who finds his protection, strength, and dwelling place in the Lord.  For He alone is my refuge.

Psalm 2

¹ Why do the nations conspire
       and the peoples plot in vain?
 ² The kings of the earth take their stand
       and the rulers gather together
       against the LORD
       and against his Anointed One. 
 ³ "Let us break their chains," they say,
       "and throw off their fetters."
 ⁴ The One enthroned in heaven laughs;
       the Lord scoffs at them.
 ⁵ Then he rebukes them in his anger
       and terrifies them in his wrath, saying,
 ⁶ "I have installed my King
       on Zion, my holy hill."
 ⁷ I will proclaim the decree of the LORD :
       He said to me, "You are my Son;
       today I have become your Father. 
 ⁸ Ask of me,
       and I will make the nations your inheritance,
       the ends of the earth your possession.
 ⁹ You will rule them with an iron scepter;
       you will dash them to pieces like pottery."
 ¹⁰ Therefore, you kings, be wise;
       be warned, you rulers of the earth.
 ¹¹ Serve the LORD with fear
       and rejoice with trembling.
 ¹² Kiss the Son, lest he be angry
       and you be destroyed in your way,
       for his wrath can flare up in a moment.
       Blessed are all who take refuge in him.