2005-01-29 - Ants Running the Garden

Psalm 2, Part 3

We must accept the fact mankind hates God. The reason there are so many religions is because individuals are trying to bend God to their view of life and as a result have been forced to come up with their own gods.

Understand even the "nicest" individual, the "good" person, is in rebellion against the Lord. As long as we let them go their way and don't infringe on their independence, they will get along with us fine. But if we let them know they are sinners in need of a savior, then barring the work of the Holy Spirit, we'd better step back.

They don't want to be told they are lost without God's intervention. What is their response? It is rage against God, and then the imagining of a vain thing, that they will be able to escape His authority. Notice what these individuals say: "Let us break out from the control of God and His anointed one, Messiah."

It is hard to fathom just how greatly people are deluded. We live in a world where huge numbers of individuals ignore the involvement of God, in both the world at large and specifically in their own lives. Many hold the view God should consider Himself lucky that they are even willing to give Him any attention at all. Therefore He must accept whatever they have to offer. God must live by man's rules, not the other way around. Is it any wonder the gospel message, the warning against the coming judgment of God, is not well-received when we talk to those around us?

"First of all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. They will say, `Where is this `coming' he promised? Ever since our fathers died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation"(2 Peter 3:3-4).

So here we have a scene, much like an ant hill which has been stirred up. Men are running around in circles, trying to get out from under. In contrast, the scene in Heaven is tranquil, peaceful, in fact - possibly ironic.

Spurgeon expresses it succinctly:

"Mark the quiet dignity of the Omnipotent One, and the contempt which he pours upon the princes and their raging people. He has not taken the trouble to rise up and do battle with them--he despises them. he knows how absurd, how irrational, how futile are their attempts against him -- and therefore laughs at them." ³

The ants are going to tell men how to run "their" garden. One can have nothing but contempt for this level of self-delusion.

So what is the Lord's response? He will judge by His word. He will speak to them out of His anger! Just as His word created the universe, His word spoken in righteous anger is adequate to judge mankind. God says He will also respond by placing Messiah on the throne over the nations. Messiah will finally sit on the throne of His father David and rule from Jerusalem, over the entire world. Man has revolted against the invisible rule of God, and so will receive the direct rule of Messiah. Mankind will live under a theocracy, where there will be no question as to "Who's in charge?" Hear the word of the Lord, for His wrath will not always be withheld.

To be continued.

Comments or Questions?
Geoff

GKragen@aol.com
http://www.cfdevotionals.org