Peter Misselbrook's Blog
Jan 13 2019 - Psalm 2 – God's appointed king

The first two psalms form an introduction to the whole book. Psalm 1, which we read a week ago, focused on the character of those who know God and the blessings that are theirs. Psalm 2 tells us that God will establish the rule of his king, his Messiah, over all the world. His kingdom will come and his will be done on earth as in heaven.

This psalm arises out of the history of king David who faced opposition from many of the nations around him and was frequently involved in conflict and in war. But this is also a prophetic psalm speaking ultimately of the Lord Jesus Christ.

In Acts 3 we read how Peter and John had healed a lame man who had been begging at one of the entrances to the Temple. The sight of a lame man leaping and praising God gave Peter the opportunity to preach to the gathering crowds, telling them of the power of the risen Lord Jesus. This angered the Jewish leaders who hauled Peter and John before their court and with many threats commanded them to stop preaching about Jesus.

On their release, Peter and John called a prayer meeting where, we read, "they raised their voices together in prayer to God. ‘Sovereign Lord … you made the heavens and the earth and the sea, and everything in them. You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of your servant, our father David:

“Why do the nations rage
    and the peoples plot in vain?
The kings of the earth rise up
    and the rulers band together
against the Lord
    and against his anointed one.”

Indeed Herod and Pontius Pilate met together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel in this city to conspire against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed. They did what your power and will had decided beforehand should happen. Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. Stretch out your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.’"

The apostles understood Psalm 2 to be a prophetic Psalm which finds its fulfilment in the death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. Representatives of "all nations", the Jews and Gentiles, plotted together to get rid of Jesus, God's anointed King, his Messiah. They may have managed to put him to death but the last word belongs to God who raised him from the dead and has given to him all power in heaven and upon earth – power that had been displayed in this remarkable healing. Peter and John pray that God would continue to give them boldness to preach and heal in the name of Jesus and so continue to demonstrate that Jesus Christ is Lord.

How bold are we as Christians? Are we sometimes afraid of speaking of Jesus and of his death and resurrection; afraid of arousing opposition?

God has demonstrated that he is the Sovereign Lord who has determined that all nations shall become the inheritance of his Son. Every knee shall at last bow before God and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. Let's not be ashamed of him but gladly tell the world of their coming King.

Heavenly Father, by your Spirit make us bold in the work of the kingdom and in proclaiming the glories of our Lord Jesus Christ. May many be drawn to embrace your Son and own him as their Saviour.

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Peter Misselbrook