Focus

Let yourself become open to God and the knowledge that comes from the Word. Ask God for peace at this time.

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Read

Psalm 2 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

God’s Promise to His Anointed

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

The kings of the earth set themselves,
and the rulers take counsel together,
against the Lord and his anointed, saying,

“Let us burst their bonds asunder,
and cast their cords from us.”

He who sits in the heavens laughs;
the Lord has them in derision.

Then he will speak to them in his wrath,
and terrify them in his fury, saying,

“I have set my king on Zion, my holy hill.”

I will tell of the decree of the Lord:
He said to me, “You are my son;
today I have begotten you.

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

You shall break them with a rod of iron,
and dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.”

Now therefore, O kings, be wise;
be warned, O rulers of the earth.

Serve the Lord with fear,
with trembling 12 kiss his feet,
or he will be angry, and you will perish in the way;
for his wrath is quickly kindled.
Happy are all who take refuge in him.

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Reflect

How would you like to rule a kingdom or a nation? Would you even have the desire, if given the chance? Do you think it would be easy? Do you think you would enjoy it? These ponderings remind me of a song by the Flaming Lips called “The Yeah Yeah Yeah Song.” The verses offer various scenarios and essentially ask that if you had the power to do something, would you? Following that, the chorus of the song poses the question, “With all your power, what would you do?”

We all know power can be a dangerous thing. I’m sure we can all think of a time when power changed a person, maybe even ourselves. More often than not, with great power comes a great sense of self-importance and pride. To that effect, it is power that takes something good like confidence and warps it to become boastful arrogance. We see this very thing displayed in the lives and behaviors of kings and rulers all throughout the Bible and even in modern history. But, this Psalm reminds me that, however powerful they perceive themselves to be, kings and rulers will come and go. It is the Kingdom of God that will remain. If they want their efforts and energies to be toward things that will last, those in power would be wise to use their power to serve the Lord and follow the way of Christ. We all would. You may not feel like a king or ruler, but you do have power and influence over others around you. And, like with kings and rulers, you get to decide what to do with it. Will you follow selfish ambitions and use it for your own personal benefit, building your own temporary kingdom? Or will you be wise, follow the Lord, and serve others, building toward a Kingdom everlasting? With all your power, what will you do?

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Pray

Almighty God, forgive us when we allow our confidence to become selfish pride. Forgive us when we allow our hunger for power to override our love of neighbor. Give us strength to turn away from our love of selfish power, and guide us toward the power of selfless love. With our words and actions, may we serve Your kingdom of love, which endures forever. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Go with God!