God is Laughing
"Why do the nations rage,
And the people plot a vain thing?
The kings of the earth set themselves,
And the rulers take counsel together,
Against the Lord and against His Anointed, saying,
'Let us break Their bonds in pieces
And cast away Their cords from us.'
He who sits in the heavens shall laugh;
The Lord shall hold them in derision.”
(Psalm 2:1-4)
How do you feel about governments oppressing Christians? Sometimes it angers you and at other times it scares you. These feelings are natural human responses. But God looks at powerful men in a much different way. He is no more intimidated by political and military forces than you are by an ant. The arrogant threats of world powers are nothing to God. In fact, they are laughable.
The persecuted disciples quoted this Psalm in a prayer after Peter and John were arrested for preaching the gospel. They added, “For truly against Your holy Servant Jesus, whom you anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, were gathered together to do whatever Your hand and Your purpose determined before to be done. Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word” (Acts 4:27-29). The mighty Romans had crucified the Savior and the conniving Jews were threatening Christians. They seemed to have the upper hand, but in reality they were playing into God’s hands.
It has become clear that some in the government of America will persecute Christians if they have the chance. We have entered an era where we can be fined for opposing sodomy and arrested for holding church services. Our situation is what David described 3,000 years ago. “The nations rage.” Ungodly people are furious with Christians. They hate us. They “plot” and devise schemes to manipulate and silence us. From a human point of view it appears that they are having their way. The CEOs of high-tech companies feel in control of the world with their internet presence. Government officials pride themselves in their power over others. Athletes and entertainers disrespect God and country and lecture us about how we should think. University professors blaspheme the Creator and poison the hearts of our youth. Radical groups try to erase the line between male and female and blur the difference between right and wrong. All the while they use each other to put their foot on the necks of God-fearing people with a conceited air of triumph.
We cannot avoid being bothered by the attacks. The seriousness of the situation is no laughing matter, but the ridiculousness of man’s pride is.
Kerry
West End Bulletin Article for December 6, 2020