January 2, 2023
“Why are the nations so angry? Why do they waste their time with futile plans? The kings of the earth prepare for battle; the rulers plot together against the Lord and against his anointed one” (Psalms 2:1-2 NLT). The Spirit inspired David to write these verses describing the futility of the world’s kingdoms conspiring against
July 4, 2022
AMERICA, BLESS GOD! On this date, when we celebrate our nation’s Independence Day, we are appropriately thankful for God’s blessing on America. Yet, we are troubled by the constant news of economic woes, wars, pandemics and rioting. There is so much anger in our world. The first century Christians quoted this same Scripture when they
July 4, 2020
AMERICA, BLESS GOD! On this date, when we celebrate our nation’s Independence Day, we are appropriately thankful for God’s blessing on America. Yet, we are troubled by the constant news of pandemic and rioting. There is so much rage in our land. The first century Christians quoted this same Scripture when they were being
January 2, 2019
PRAYING AND PREACHING THE WORD
The Spirit inspired David to write these verses concerning the futility of the world’s kingdoms conspiring against the Lord and against His “anointed one” (מָשִׁיחַ, mashiyach), which is the Messiah, the Christ. Centuries later, the Spirit inspired the early Christians to pray these verses back to God after Peter and John had been jailed and warned by the Sanhedrin to stop teaching in the name of Jesus. In their prayer, they identified Pilate and Herod along with the Gentiles and Jewish leaders as conspiring against the Lord’s anointed one, Jesus, just as the Spirit had revealed to David (Acts 4:23-31). When they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken and they went out and preached the Word boldly.
PRAYER: Lord, help us not only to read and hear Your Word, but also to pray it and preach it. And not just in dry understanding, but empowered by the Spirit, so that we and those around us are shaken by Your presence. And let us not be afraid when the world’s kings and nations conspire and prepare for battle, knowing that their plans are futile, but Yours are perfect and eternal. Now, send us out again with Your Word and Spirit, in the name of Your Anointed One, Jesus, we pray. Amen.
July 4, 2016
This is a Messianic prophecy of Christ’s triumphal kingdom. It is a sober reminder, as we celebrate America’s Independence Day, that all the world’s nations exist at the Lord’s pleasure. Do our nation’s leaders and judges “serve the Lord with fear?” Do they bow and “kiss” the Son’s hand in obeisance? Or have they become wise in their own eyes, calling evil, good and good, evil? Let us recognize our dual citizenship. As Americans, we are thankful for God’s blessing on America. We continue to pray for our leaders and judges that they will return to God. But as Christians, we are citizens of an eternal kingdom, one that was inaugurated at the cross and will be consummated at Christ’s return. We ultimately put our trust in Christ alone. He is the source of all blessing. Yet, in the meantime we pray, “God bless America.”
July 4, 2015
This is a Messianic prophecy of Christ’s triumphal kingdom. It is a sober reminder on this day when we celebrate Independence Day in America that all the world’s nations exist at the Lord’s pleasure. Do our nation’s leaders and judges “serve the Lord with fear?” Do they bow and “kiss” the Son’s hand in obeisance? Or have they become wise in their own eyes, calling evil, good and good, evil?
Let us recognize our dual citizenship. As Americans, we are thankful for God’s blessing on America. We continue to pray for our leaders and judges that they will return to God. But as Christians, we are citizens of an eternal kingdom, one that was inaugurated at the cross and will be consummated at Christ’s return. We ultimately put our trust in Christ alone. He is the source of all blessing.
Yet, in the meantime we pray, “God bless America.”
December 7, 2014 | Psalm 2 |
Pastor Gary Combs began a three week Christmas sermon series entitled “The Three Gifts” with this message from Psalm 2 about the gift of gold. The three gifts the Magi brought to Jesus were very unusual gift to give to a baby. Yet, they are perfectly suited for One who is King, Mediator and Savior. The gift of gold is a gift fit for a king. This message shows how we can make Christ our King this Christmas.
July 4, 2014
On this date when Americans celebrate Independence Day, we are appropriately thankful for God’s blessing on the USA. Yet, many of us are troubled by the news of nations and terrorists threatening war and violence in the world. This same verse from Psalms 2 was quoted in prayer by the first century Christians (Acts 4:25-26) when they were being persecuted by their political leaders for preaching the gospel. They prayed that God would handle the threats and “futile plans” of leaders like Pilate and Herod, while giving them boldness to keep preaching the Word. So, on this July 4th, I’m praying like they did. Kings and rulers may plot against the Lord’s anointed, against Christ and His Church, but the Lord God who rules in heaven “laughs” (Psa. 2:4) at them.
July 4, 2012
On this July 4th I’m reminded that our nation was founded on the premise that earthly kings must submit to God’s order. To go against the Lord and His Anointed (Messiah/Christ) is ultimately futile. We are “endowed” by our “Creator with certain unalienable rights” our founders rightly observed. Kings and nations who forget this do so at their own peril. We do well to ask God to bless America. We do even better to ask Americans to bless God.