Why do the Nations rage?

The Plot to get rid of God and the Reign of His Messiah (verses 1-3)

Explanation: The Psalmist addresses those who would remove themselves or to prevent themselves to be under the rule of the Messiah (the Anointed One). There have always been those leaders and individuals who see God as the ultimate Oppressor. These folks spend their time and energy to dispel even the idea that God exists and that we as humans are accountable to Him in some way.

Example: Nebuchadnezzar attempted this. He was indeed a powerful ruler and he exerted influence over many people. The prophet Daniel once described him like this, “all peoples, nations, and languages trembled and feared before him. Whom he would, he killed, and whom he would, he kept alive; whom he would, he raised up, and whom he would, he humbled.” (Daniel 5:19)

Argument: There is within the soul of unregenerate men the desire to rid themselves of God. The authors of the French Revolution attempted this, Karl Marx attempted this, the secular humanists of our day are still attempting this.

Friedrich Nietzsche (1844-1900) was a godless philosopher who dreamt of the evolution of man. He taught that mankind needed to discard traditional beliefs and only then could he become the “over-man”

Nietzsche died in an insane asylum in his 50’s

The nations continue to rage today, spouting all types of blasphemy. The SJ movement is actively seeking to destroy the foundations of Western Civilization which are based upon the Judeo-Christian Worldview.

God’s Response to the Schemers (verses 4-6)

Explanation: The Psalmist pictures God on His throne in the Heavens looking down on these pathetic plotters and laughing at them. The psalmist is using humor and irony to display God’s reaction to the revolutionaries. God holds them in derision. This is a form of condescension - He has absolutely no respect for what they can do in terms of stopping His agenda.

Illustrate: The reaction of combat-trained soldiers in full battle gear getting ready to invade a compound when they are told that the defenders are six year olds with sticks.

Argument: God is the Omnipotent Creator of the Cosmos. He has absolute and total power. The above reference in Daniel 5 was the prophet speaking to Neb’s grandson Belshazzar. Daniel was reminding Belshazzar that Neb did think like that, just before God humbled him by turning Neb into a grass-eating mindless chump for 7 years (Daniel 5:20-21). Belshazzar did not regard the lesson, and God killed him for his arrogance.

Application: Some folks make the mistake that God isn’t really all that because He doesn’t always bring down the thunder and lightning. That is a mistake, because He is capable of it, and He can do it whenever He wants. These folks make the mistake of thinking that God is weak when He is actually granting them space for repentance (cf 2 Peter 3:9)

For believers - trust God to fulfill His promises in His time

The Messiah speaks of His sure reign (verses 7-9)

Explanation: The reality of the situation is seen in the response of the Messiah Himself. Jesus is prophetically speaking of His reign prior to His Incarnation. He is describing His future and the world’s future: The Messiah will be reigning and the nations will be serving Him (“the ends of the earth as His possession”)

Argument: This is the quiet confidence of One who is sure of the outcome. It’s not bragging when you can do it - and the Messiah can and will be doing it - guaranteed

The Psalmist warns the heathen nations to bow to the King before it is too late (verse 10 -12)

Explanation: Given this revealed knowledge from God concerning future events, the Psalmist dispenses wisdom to the schemers and plotters. He tells the leaders of the Rebellion to give it up. He is warning them that their ideas of overthrow are useless; 100% guaranteed to fail.

Illustrate: It’s kind of like talking to a child about some of the hard truths of life. Think about giving someone advice from the voice of experience: “you really don’t want to try this - it is not going to work!”

Argument: This is somewhat of a pragmatic approach, but in this case it is spot on. While there are always exceptions to the commonly held outcome for events in this world, there will be no exception to the future reign of the Messiah (cf Philippians 2:9-11) Every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus is Lord. The difference will be seen in the timing - we can bow to Him as Lord and Savior NOW, or we can and will bow to Him in acknowledgment of His Lordship THEN, when it will be eternally too late

Application: Like the Psalmist we can and should be about the business of warning those who are still actively engaged in rebellion against the Reign of the Messiah. We are to be sharing the Gospel with those folks, ensuring that they are made aware of the Truth.

And for ourselves as believers - we need to remain engaged in the business of being salt and light. God has not called us to retreat from the strife - we just need to fight the fight of faith with the understanding that He wins. We are not to give in to despair or hopelessness.