I love this chapter written by King David, which speaks of the attributes of God and how He watches over me because He brought me into existence. I am privileged to share these thoughts with you today from our devotional reading.
David, the King, was also a musician who writes this Psalm like it was a hymn with three verses. Verse one presents our wonderful Lord in His "omniscience", verses 1-6.
"Omniscience" means that the Lord is "all knowing". David refers to "the Lord" who "knows me", verse 1; my "down-sitting", verse 2; and my "words", verse 4. That is an awesome thought, what God knows about me.
The "omnipresence" of God, another characteristic of my Lord, is presented in verses 7-12 by the Psalmist. It's interesting to note that David uses the truth of how we can not "flee from Thy presence", verse 7, in explaining that the Lord is present everywhere and at all times, and we can never "get away from Him".
Why in the world would we want to be out of His presence, even if it was possible? The only answer is that we would be living in "sin" and ashamed to be in His presence. The other great aspect of His "omnipresence" is that He is always there to take care of us, what a blessing that is for each of us.
Verses 13-18 present the "omnipotence" of the Lord. He is "all powerful". I especially love these verses written by David about our Lord and how He made me and knows everything about my person, body, soul and spirit.
Because He is "omnipotent", "I am fearfully and wonderfully made", verse 14."My body is not hidden from Him, even when I was in my mothers womb", verses 13-16. These verses are the greatest proof that "abortion" is "murder", blasphemy against the Lord.
He knew me before I was born and possessed me at that time. Actually, He knew me in "eternity past," Jeremiah 1:5.
As the second King of Israel concludes this marvelous passage on the attributes of the Lord he brings to our attention the reality that the world is an "enemy " of our Lord. David writes of a "perfect hatred", verse 22. There is a "hatred of those that hate the Lord". That is a pretty heavy thought.
The prayer that David uses and gives us to use also, in the last two verses, verses 23-24, is a prayer that we should, or at least I should, pray every day as I await the all-knowing, always present and all-powerful Lord who will keep me until He calls me to meet Him in the air at the Rapture, which could happen today.
Rehearsing the characteristics, attributes, of the Lord, on a daily basis, will prepare me, and in fact, each of us, for the future and our departure to be with Him, forever.
PRAYER THOT: Lord, please search me, know my heart, reveal any wicked way in me, and lead me in thy way, everlasting.
This Psalm is one of the Psalms that King Solomon wrote, and he wrote it in honor of his father David and the promise that God had made to his father, the Davidic Covenant.
David had passed from the scene and now Solomon prepared, by prayer to the Lord for provision and direction, for building the permanent worship center that David wanted to have been able to build.
The Lord had promised his father that there would be a Temple in Jerusalem and that King David's son would sit on the throne in Jerusalem and this would be the case forever as well, II Samuel 7, (The Davidic Covenant).
Solomon opens his prayer calling upon the Lord to remember the promise that He made to David. Solomon was eager to do the work of the Lord to build the Temple in Jerusalem.
In fact, Solomon tells the Lord that he would be willing to not go into his own home and go to bed and sleep until he had found the place where the Lord would dwell among His people, the Jewish people.
Solomon set the example that we should follow, the Lord's work comes before our own need for sleep. The Lord assured Solomon that He would fulfill his father David's desire to build a "permanent dwelling place" for the Lord.
Then, the Lord tells Solomon and all saints down through the ages that, in fact, He has chosen Jerusalem as the location on earth where He will dwell among His people, the Jewish people, forever, verses 13-14.
This was the Lord's plan from eternity past and is the reason that King David purchased the threshing floor from Ornon the Jebusite, I Chronicles 21:18-30. It's the reason that King David made Jerusalem the "political capital" of the Jewish people, II Samuel 5, and also, the "spiritual capital" of the Jews, II Samuel 6.
God, in eternity past, chose Jerusalem as His eternal abode among His people, the Jewish people. It is the reason the Lord had Solomon to build the first Temple on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem.
This is also the reason that Jerusalem has been a center of controversy in the past. It's the reason that Jerusalem is so controversial today and it will continue to be that way until the Lord Jesus comes to build His permanent Temple on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem, and to dwell among His people, forever.
PRAYER THOT: Help me Lord, to realize as I watch the controversy surrounding Jerusalem today, to realize Your plan for Your city and how close that plan may be to fulfillment.
This is a very important Psalm in the "last days scenario" that is found in Bible prophecy. Combining this chapter along with Daniel 11:40-45 and Ezekiel 38 will give you an understanding of how the nations will align themselves against the Jewish State of Israel in the last days.
I must remind you that there is no prophecy of private interpretation, II Peter 1:20, therefore these three passages of prophetic scripture that I mentioned above, and many other passages in God's Word, enlighten us to how the nations form a coalition to destroy Israel in the last days.
In this passage the Psalmist is actually praying and the very first verse sets the scene for what is the theme of this prophetic passage.
The Psalmist wants the Lord to awaken to the fact that these nations are making plans to try to remove Israel from the face of the earth. Thus he wants God to protect them and destroy the attacking enemy.
Verses 2 and 3 record the prayer alerting the Lord of the enemies of Israel, and thus enemies of the Lord Himself, relaying to Him that these enemies are ready to go after Israel, having developed a plan.
Verse 4 states that these enemies of God and Israel want to destroy Israel so that “the name of Israel will no longer be remembered”.
By the way, verse 4 is almost a quote from Iranian President Ahmadinejad's speech to over 4,000 Arab and Islamic leaders in Tehran when he called for Israel to be wiped off the face of the earth and be forgotten forever.
These are the names of some of the enemies of Israel that you will recognize. The Edom, in verse 6, is the Palestinian people of today. The Ishmaelites of that same verse are the people of Saudi Arabia. Tyre, listed in verse 7, is modern-day Lebanon.
I believe I have given you enough names of nations who are today preparing to join with other nations to form a coalition of nations aligned against the Jewish State of Israel.
We are living in Psalm 83. These nations mentioned, plus those mentioned in Ezekiel 38 and Daniel 11 are making ready for their attack on Israel. This attack takes place in the first six months of the seven year long Tribulation Period after the body of Christ, Christians, have departed earth at the Rapture.
With the nearness of this coalition of nations attacking Israel upon us, the Rapture, which happens before these nations attack, the Rapture must be very close at hand. Keep looking up!
PRAYER THOT: Your time clock dear Lord, Israel, is about to be attacked, which indicates the Rapture must be close at hand. Even so come Lord Jesus, today!
When reading through the Bible, as you come toPsalm 22, 23 and 24, you see three aspects of a "shepherd," the "good shepherd," the "great shepherd" and the "chief shepherd." InPsalm 22, the Psalmist reveals the "Good Shepherd" as the “shepherd” who gives his life for his sheep,John 10:11.
The Psalmist gives us a graphic picture of death by crucifixion. This Psalm is a prophecy of the Messiah who would give His life for the salvation of all who would come to Him for eternal life.
Psalm 23depicts the Messiah, Jesus Christ, the One the Psalmist is writing about, as the "Great Shepherd." The writer shows the "Great Shepherd," "brought again from the dead through the blood of the everlasting covenant,"Hebrews 13:20, is the One that tenderly cares for the sheep.
In our devotional reading for today, we focus on the "Chief Shepherd,"I Peter 5:4, who appears as the "King of Glory," the One who comes to reward the sheep. Four times inPsalm 24the Messiah is referred to as the "King of Glory,"verses 7-10.
As we begin to read through this 24th Psalm we see that the Great Shepherd was also the "Creator," verses 1 and 2. The truth is, that the only way He could be the “Chief Shepherd” and the “King of Glory” is that He was the “Creator” of all things and that all of Creation belongs to Him.
The Psalmist then tells us that the only way we can "ascend to the hill of the Lord" is if we have "clean hands and a pure heart,"verse 4. By the way, the next verse in our reading reveals to us that our salvation, the way to clean hands and a pure heart, comes from Him,verse 5.
Verses 7-10speak of the coming Messiah, referred to here as the "King of Glory." I have heard a song that uses these four verses as the words to its melody. It is a beautiful song, which, of course, is what the Psalms are, “songs to sing”.
Let me go back to the reference inI Peter 5:4that speaks of the "Chief Shepherd," the "King of Glory." Notice the Chief Shepherd brings with Him when He comes a "crown of glory" for all of us, as Christians, that have "fed the flock,"I Peter 5:2. That means we have helped other Christians to grow in the Lord as we have been "examples to the flock," I Peter 5:3.
I look forward to receiving from the "Chief Shepherd" a "crown of glory" when the "King of Glory" comes. I want to give back to our Lord this crown,Revelation 4:10, in thanksgiving for what the "Chief Shepherd," the "King of Glory" has done for me.
PRAYER THOT: Help me, Lord, to be at the task of "feeding the flock" by being the example you want me to be so I will receive the "crown of glory" from the "Chief Shepherd" when You come.
This passage selected for our reading today is so rich. Our key verse has prophetic significance, which we must consider and will do so in a moment. Before that, let's look at several "great truths" found in Psalm 19.
The very first verse of our extended reading is such a blessing. We are given the way to see the "glory of the Lord" - we just look up to the heavens. During the fourth day of creation, Genesis 1:14-19, the Lord uttered three words, "the stars also" and the "star-filled" heavens appeared.
This space is not large enough to even consider the extent of those three words. Might I suggest you take some time in the near future to stop to view the heavens. Notice the "handiwork" of the Lord and see how the heavens declare "His glory." I have done this and have been blessed.
Verses 2-4 reminds us how we fail to observe the passing of each day and each night. The truth is that like precision clockwork each day and night appear and then are gone.
The passage speaks of the sun and how the Lord has a special dwelling place, a tabernacle for it each night. That, of course, from my perspective - while those on the other side of the earth will have another perspective.
Notice what the Psalmist, this Psalm written by King David, says about the Word of the Lord, which is the "law of the Lord." Reading the Lord's Word, which is perfect and sure will lead you to Him as Savior and make you wise. The Word will also show us any secret sins that must be dealt with, verse 12.
Before we come to our "Prayer Thot", please notice verse 9. It starts out, "the fear of the Lord." That phrase is a statement of Old Testament "piety" meaning "reverential trust" with "hatred of evil."
In verse 9, there is a statement about judgment, judgment to come. Let me remind you of two of the future judgments, the Great White Throne and the Judgment Seat of Christ.
The Great White Throne, Revelation 20:11-15, is where lost people will stand to be sentenced to the "Lake of Fire" joining Satan, Antichrist, and False Prophet.
The Judgment Seat of Christ, II Corinthians 5:10and Romans 14:10, will be a time for Christians, when Jesus will hand out rewards for those "righteous acts" we have done in His power and for His glory.
Notice how the Psalmist refers to the judgments, "true and righteous." Someone will only stand at the Great White Throne if they have never trusted in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.
All Christians will stand before Jesus at the Judgment Seat of Christ. We must prepare today for that judgment, in a future tomorrow.
PRAYER THOT: Lord, let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in thy sight, Psalm 19:14.
What a powerful passage of scripture the Psalmist gives to us, actually a very prophetic passage of Scripture. In essence we are reading for today the order of the establishment of the Kingdom to be set up in Jerusalem. This will be an eternal Kingdom to be ruled over by the King of Kings, Jesus Christ.
Let's take a journey through this Psalm, with the Kingdom in mind, and notice how it comes to pass. Verse one reveals that the heathen, Gentiles, will rise to power as the leaders of the world. These Gentile world powers will continue to gain power and control in the world all the way up to the Lord's return.
It will be these Gentile nations, who come against God and His chosen people with the intention of destroying them, Psalm 2:2-3. God's reaction to these Gentile nations and their plan, is very interesting, He laughs, Psalm 2:4.
This is "laughter" that comes from awareness that the Gentile world leaders are unable to do what they want to do, that is to destroy His people, the Jews, and His plan for the End Times.
However, it is at this time that the world leaders believe they are really what they think they are, when the Lord unleashes His wrath against them. He will do this from His "holy hill of Zion," which is the Temple Mount in Jerusalem.
The Lord God gives His power and position to His Son, Jesus Christ, Psalm 2:7. God will give the heathen, the Gentile world, to His Son, Psalm 2:8, and Jesus will break them in pieces, like a potters vessel.
The “Lord's Kingdom”, which is in perfect harmony with all prophetic passages that relate to this coming period of time, is yet in the future.
In the last three verses of our extended reading, Psalm 2:9-12, we see that the Lord, and prophecy are very practical. Since this is the way history will be played out in the future the Psalmist suggest that the readers must be wise.
This is suggested to the kings and judges of the earth. Then he instructs the people of the world to serve the Lord with fear, which is the "beginning of wisdom".
I love this next instruction, "Kiss the Son." Kiss Jesus Christ, in other words, honor, love, obey and serve the Son of God. Then the Psalmist tells of the blessings that will come to them that put their trust in Him.
This wonderful chapter is evidence that prophecy tells of the future and the Lord's rule and reign from Jerusalem. But it also reveals to us how practical prophecy is as well. It recommends the study of prophecy to you and me for the blessing we will receive and the motivation to live for Him and serve Him until He comes to call us up to be with Him at the Rapture, which precedes the establishment of His Kingdom by seven years.
The Rapture can take place at any time, and it could be today!
PRAYER THOT: Lord,help me to understand prophecy so that it becomes practical in my daily life.
I love this chapter written by King David, which speaks of the attributes of God and how He watches over me because He brought me into existence. I am privileged to share these thoughts with you today from our devotional reading.
David, the King, was also a musician who writes this Psalm like it was a hymn with three verses. Verse one presents our wonderful Lord in His "omniscience", verses 1-6.
"Omniscience" means that the Lord is "all knowing". David refers to "the Lord" who "knows me", verse 1; my "down-sitting", verse 2; and my "words", verse 4. That is an awesome thought, what God knows about me.
The "omnipresence" of God, another characteristic of my Lord, is presented in verses 7-12 by the Psalmist. It's interesting to note that David uses the truth of how we can not "flee from Thy presence", verse 7, in explaining that the Lord is present everywhere and at all times, and we can never "get away from Him".
Why in the world would we want to be out of His presence, even if it was possible? The only answer is that we would be living in "sin" and ashamed to be in His presence. The other great aspect of His "omnipresence" is that He is always there to take care of us, what a blessing that is for each of us.
Verses 13-18 present the "omnipotence" of the Lord. He is "all powerful". I especially love these verses written by David about our Lord and how He made me and knows everything about my person, body, soul and spirit.
Because He is "omnipotent", "I am fearfully and wonderfully made", verse 14."My body is not hidden from Him, even when I was in my mothers womb", verses 13-16. These verses are the greatest proof that "abortion" is "murder", blasphemy against the Lord.
He knew me before I was born and possessed me at that time. Actually, He knew me in "eternity past," Jeremiah 1:5.
As the second King of Israel concludes this marvelous passage on the attributes of the Lord he brings to our attention the reality that the world is an "enemy " of our Lord. David writes of a "perfect hatred", verse 22. There is a "hatred of those that hate the Lord". That is a pretty heavy thought.
The prayer that David uses and gives us to use also, in the last two verses, verses 23-24, is a prayer that we should, or at least I should, pray every day as I await the all-knowing, always present and all-powerful Lord who will keep me until He calls me to meet Him in the air at the Rapture, which could happen today.
Rehearsing the characteristics, attributes, of the Lord, on a daily basis, will prepare me, and in fact, each of us, for the future and our departure to be with Him, forever.
PRAYER THOT: Lord, please search me, know my heart, reveal any wicked way in me, and lead me in thy way, everlasting.
This Psalm is one of the Psalms that King Solomon wrote, and he wrote it in honor of his father David and the promise that God had made to his father, the Davidic Covenant.
David had passed from the scene and now Solomon prepared, by prayer to the Lord for provision and direction, for building the permanent worship center that David wanted to have been able to build.
The Lord had promised his father that there would be a Temple in Jerusalem and that King David's son would sit on the throne in Jerusalem and this would be the case forever as well, II Samuel 7, (The Davidic Covenant).
Solomon opens his prayer calling upon the Lord to remember the promise that He made to David. Solomon was eager to do the work of the Lord to build the Temple in Jerusalem.
In fact, Solomon tells the Lord that he would be willing to not go into his own home and go to bed and sleep until he had found the place where the Lord would dwell among His people, the Jewish people.
Solomon set the example that we should follow, the Lord's work comes before our own need for sleep. The Lord assured Solomon that He would fulfill his father David's desire to build a "permanent dwelling place" for the Lord.
Then, the Lord tells Solomon and all saints down through the ages that, in fact, He has chosen Jerusalem as the location on earth where He will dwell among His people, the Jewish people, forever, verses 13-14.
This was the Lord's plan from eternity past and is the reason that King David purchased the threshing floor from Ornon the Jebusite, I Chronicles 21:18-30. It's the reason that King David made Jerusalem the "political capital" of the Jewish people, II Samuel 5, and also, the "spiritual capital" of the Jews, II Samuel 6.
God, in eternity past, chose Jerusalem as His eternal abode among His people, the Jewish people. It is the reason the Lord had Solomon to build the first Temple on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem.
This is also the reason that Jerusalem has been a center of controversy in the past. It's the reason that Jerusalem is so controversial today and it will continue to be that way until the Lord Jesus comes to build His permanent Temple on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem, and to dwell among His people, forever.
PRAYER THOT: Help me Lord, to realize as I watch the controversy surrounding Jerusalem today, to realize Your plan for Your city and how close that plan may be to fulfillment.
This is a very important Psalm in the "last days scenario" that is found in Bible prophecy. Combining this chapter along with Daniel 11:40-45 and Ezekiel 38 will give you an understanding of how the nations will align themselves against the Jewish State of Israel in the last days.
I must remind you that there is no prophecy of private interpretation, II Peter 1:20, therefore these three passages of prophetic scripture that I mentioned above, and many other passages in God's Word, enlighten us to how the nations form a coalition to destroy Israel in the last days.
In this passage the Psalmist is actually praying and the very first verse sets the scene for what is the theme of this prophetic passage.
The Psalmist wants the Lord to awaken to the fact that these nations are making plans to try to remove Israel from the face of the earth. Thus he wants God to protect them and destroy the attacking enemy.
Verses 2 and 3 record the prayer alerting the Lord of the enemies of Israel, and thus enemies of the Lord Himself, relaying to Him that these enemies are ready to go after Israel, having developed a plan.
Verse 4 states that these enemies of God and Israel want to destroy Israel so that “the name of Israel will no longer be remembered”.
By the way, verse 4 is almost a quote from Iranian President Ahmadinejad's speech to over 4,000 Arab and Islamic leaders in Tehran when he called for Israel to be wiped off the face of the earth and be forgotten forever.
These are the names of some of the enemies of Israel that you will recognize. The Edom, in verse 6, is the Palestinian people of today. The Ishmaelites of that same verse are the people of Saudi Arabia. Tyre, listed in verse 7, is modern-day Lebanon.
I believe I have given you enough names of nations who are today preparing to join with other nations to form a coalition of nations aligned against the Jewish State of Israel.
We are living in Psalm 83. These nations mentioned, plus those mentioned in Ezekiel 38 and Daniel 11 are making ready for their attack on Israel. This attack takes place in the first six months of the seven year long Tribulation Period after the body of Christ, Christians, have departed earth at the Rapture.
With the nearness of this coalition of nations attacking Israel upon us, the Rapture, which happens before these nations attack, the Rapture must be very close at hand. Keep looking up!
PRAYER THOT: Your time clock dear Lord, Israel, is about to be attacked, which indicates the Rapture must be close at hand. Even so come Lord Jesus, today!
When reading through the Bible, as you come toPsalm 22, 23 and 24, you see three aspects of a "shepherd," the "good shepherd," the "great shepherd" and the "chief shepherd." InPsalm 22, the Psalmist reveals the "Good Shepherd" as the “shepherd” who gives his life for his sheep,John 10:11.
The Psalmist gives us a graphic picture of death by crucifixion. This Psalm is a prophecy of the Messiah who would give His life for the salvation of all who would come to Him for eternal life.
Psalm 23depicts the Messiah, Jesus Christ, the One the Psalmist is writing about, as the "Great Shepherd." The writer shows the "Great Shepherd," "brought again from the dead through the blood of the everlasting covenant,"Hebrews 13:20, is the One that tenderly cares for the sheep.
In our devotional reading for today, we focus on the "Chief Shepherd,"I Peter 5:4, who appears as the "King of Glory," the One who comes to reward the sheep. Four times inPsalm 24the Messiah is referred to as the "King of Glory,"verses 7-10.
As we begin to read through this 24th Psalm we see that the Great Shepherd was also the "Creator," verses 1 and 2. The truth is, that the only way He could be the “Chief Shepherd” and the “King of Glory” is that He was the “Creator” of all things and that all of Creation belongs to Him.
The Psalmist then tells us that the only way we can "ascend to the hill of the Lord" is if we have "clean hands and a pure heart,"verse 4. By the way, the next verse in our reading reveals to us that our salvation, the way to clean hands and a pure heart, comes from Him,verse 5.
Verses 7-10speak of the coming Messiah, referred to here as the "King of Glory." I have heard a song that uses these four verses as the words to its melody. It is a beautiful song, which, of course, is what the Psalms are, “songs to sing”.
Let me go back to the reference inI Peter 5:4that speaks of the "Chief Shepherd," the "King of Glory." Notice the Chief Shepherd brings with Him when He comes a "crown of glory" for all of us, as Christians, that have "fed the flock,"I Peter 5:2. That means we have helped other Christians to grow in the Lord as we have been "examples to the flock," I Peter 5:3.
I look forward to receiving from the "Chief Shepherd" a "crown of glory" when the "King of Glory" comes. I want to give back to our Lord this crown,Revelation 4:10, in thanksgiving for what the "Chief Shepherd," the "King of Glory" has done for me.
PRAYER THOT: Help me, Lord, to be at the task of "feeding the flock" by being the example you want me to be so I will receive the "crown of glory" from the "Chief Shepherd" when You come.
This passage selected for our reading today is so rich. Our key verse has prophetic significance, which we must consider and will do so in a moment. Before that, let's look at several "great truths" found in Psalm 19.
The very first verse of our extended reading is such a blessing. We are given the way to see the "glory of the Lord" - we just look up to the heavens. During the fourth day of creation, Genesis 1:14-19, the Lord uttered three words, "the stars also" and the "star-filled" heavens appeared.
This space is not large enough to even consider the extent of those three words. Might I suggest you take some time in the near future to stop to view the heavens. Notice the "handiwork" of the Lord and see how the heavens declare "His glory." I have done this and have been blessed.
Verses 2-4 reminds us how we fail to observe the passing of each day and each night. The truth is that like precision clockwork each day and night appear and then are gone.
The passage speaks of the sun and how the Lord has a special dwelling place, a tabernacle for it each night. That, of course, from my perspective - while those on the other side of the earth will have another perspective.
Notice what the Psalmist, this Psalm written by King David, says about the Word of the Lord, which is the "law of the Lord." Reading the Lord's Word, which is perfect and sure will lead you to Him as Savior and make you wise. The Word will also show us any secret sins that must be dealt with, verse 12.
Before we come to our Prayer Thot, please notice verse 9. It starts out, "the fear of the Lord." That phrase is a statement of Old Testament piety meaning "reverential trust" with "hatred of evil."
In verse 9, there is a statement about judgment, judgment to come. Let me remind you of two of the future judgments, the Great White Throne and the Judgment Seat of Christ.
The Great White Throne, Revelation 20:11-15, is where lost people will stand to be sentenced to the "Lake of Fire" joining Satan, Antichrist, and False Prophet.
The Judgment Seat of Christ, II Corinthians 5:10and Romans 14:10, will be a time for Christians, when Jesus will hand out rewards for those "righteous acts" we have done in His power and for His glory.
Notice how the Psalmist refers to the judgments, "true and righteous." Someone will only stand at the Great White Throne if they have never trusted in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.
All Christians will stand before Jesus at the Judgment Seat of Christ. We must prepare today for that judgment, in a future tomorrow.
PRAYER THOT: Lord, let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in thy sight, Psalm 19:14.
What a powerful passage of scripture the Psalmist gives to us, actually a very prophetic passage of Scripture. In essence we are reading for today the order of the establishment of the Kingdom to be set up in Jerusalem. This will be an eternal Kingdom to be ruled over by the King of Kings, Jesus Christ.
Let's take a journey through this Psalm, with the Kingdom in mind, and notice how it comes to pass. Verse one reveals that the heathen, Gentiles, will rise to power as the leaders of the world. These Gentile world powers will continue to gain power and control in the world all the way up to the Lord's return.
It will be these Gentile nations, who come against God and His chosen people with the intention of destroying them, Psalm 2:2-3. God's reaction is very interesting, He laughs, Psalm 2:4. This is laughter that comes from awareness that the Gentile world leaders are unable to do what they want to do, that is to destroy His people, the Jews, and His plan for the End Times.
However, it is at this time that the World leaders believe they are really what they think they are, when the Lord unleashes His wrath against them. He will do this from His "holy hill of Zion," which is the Temple Mount in Jerusalem. Notice that the Lord God gives this power and position to His Son, Jesus Christ, Psalm 2:7. God will give the heathen, the Gentile world to His Son, Psalm 2:8, and Jesus will break them in pieces, like a potters vessel.
The “Lord's Kingdom”, which is in perfect harmony with all prophetic passages that relate to this coming period of time, is yet in the future.
In the last three verses of our extended reading, Psalm 2:9-12, we see that the Lord, and prophecy are very practical. Since this is the way history will be played out in the future the Psalmist suggest that the readers must be wise. This is suggested to the kings and judges of the earth. Then he instructs the people of the world to serve the Lord with fear, which is the beginning of wisdom.
I love this next instruction, "Kiss the Son." Kiss Jesus Christ, in other words, honor, love, obey and serve the Son of God. Then the Psalmist tells of the blessings that will come to them that put their trust in Him.
This wonderful chapter is evidence that prophecy tells of the future and the Lord's rule and reign from Jerusalem. But it also reveals to us how practical prophecy is as well. It recommends the study of prophecy to you and me for the blessing we will receive and the motivation to live for Him and serve Him until He comes to call us up to be with Him at the Rapture, which precedes the establishment of His Kingdom by seven years.
The Rapture can take place at any time, and it could be today!
PRAYER THOT: Help me to understand prophecy so that it becomes practical in my daily life.
