Evil Only Seems to be Winning
March 12, 2024
Commentary
One of the most serious problems in the world today is noise pollution. How can we make sense out of all the noise in our world today? Psalm 2 helps us solve this important problem. Have you ever wondered why it seems like God lets evil go unpunished? Evil seems to be winning the world over. In this psalm we are reminded that God is still in control.
1. The Response of Man (vv.1-3) These verses ask questions that many have asked:
a. Why does God allow “the heathen to rage” (v. 1)?
b. Why does God allow evil nations and rulers to grow more powerful (v. 2)?
c. Why does God allow the cords that bind us to be cast away (v. 3)?
2. The Response of God (vv. 4-9) How does God respond to the evilness of man?
a. He laughs (v. 4). For man to think he is as powerful as Almighty God is hilarious.
b. He pours out His wrath (v. 5). God can remove anyone who opposes Him.
c. He calls the shots (vv. 6-9). Jesus will sit as King in the New Jerusalem.
3. The Recommendation of God (vv. 10-12) God makes three recommendations:
a. Be Wise (v. 10). Listen to instruction. Satan’s offer in the Garden of Eden was knowledge without God and we see the same thing happening today.
b. Be Warned (v. 11). “Serve the Lord with fear.” Rebellion is caused by pride and pride is a sin of the will. It was pride that caused Lucifer to fall, and it is still happening.
c. Be a person who puts their trust in God (v. 12). “Kiss the son.” It was at Calvary that mercy and truth met, and righteousness and peace kissed each other (Psalm 85:10).
Application
I need to remember that rebellion is caused by pride. Can I see where pride has ever caused me a problem? If so, what did I do about it and what would have been a better way to have handled it?
Psalms 2:1– 12 (NET)
Verses not found.
Illustration: God’s Sovereignty and Human Responsibility
During his days as guest lecturer at Calvin Seminary, R. B. Kuiper once used the following illustration of God’s sovereignty and human responsibility: “I liken them to two ropes going through two holes in the ceiling and over a pulley above. If I wish to support myself by them, I must cling to them both. If I cling only to one and not the other, I go down."I read the many teachings of the Bible regarding God’s election, predestination, his chosen, and so on, I read also the many teachings regarding, ‘whosoever will may come’ and urging people to exercise their responsibility as human beings. These seeming contradictions cannot be reconciled by the puny human mind. With childlike faith, I cling to both ropes, fully confident that in eternity I will see that both strands of truth are, after all, of one piece.” (John Morren, Lake City, Michigan, quoted in Leadership, 1986, p. 38).