Repenting of humanity’s rebellion
Psalm 2
1 Why do the nations conspire, and the peoples plot in vain?
2 The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together,
against the Lord and his anointed, saying,
3 ‘Let us burst their bonds asunder, and cast their cords from us.’
4 He who sits in the heavens laughs; the Lord has them in derision.
5 Then he will speak to them in his wrath, and terrify them in his fury, saying,
6 ‘I have set my king on Zion, my holy hill.’ 7 I will tell of the decree of the Lord:
He said to me, ‘You are my son; today I have begotten you.
8 Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage,
and the ends of the earth your possession.
9 You shall break them with a rod of iron, and dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.’
10 Now therefore, O kings, be wise; be warned, O rulers of the earth.
11 Serve the Lord with fear, with trembling 12 kiss his feet,
or he will be angry, and you will perish in the way; for his wrath is quickly kindled.
Happy are all who take refuge in him.
Advent reminds us that Jesus is King, even as he came in humility and lowliness. He is still the King, and his rule of glory and might will be fully revealed one day. Before this King all other human powers will be brought to its knees.
The human powers of this world believe they are in charge. By “the powers” I mean the government, big business, the media; in some parts of the world the powers would include the military, the gangs. The powers often look and act as though they are supreme, and this Psalm states clear that the powers are not supreme (vs. 3), they will not be able to cast off the truth that their existence is dependent on God, God’s cords can not be thrown aside.
But “the powers” are not the only ones who think they are in charge, that they are supreme. Individual human beings also fall into this false narrative, “I am the captain of my life, the controller of my destiny.” We try to throw off the constraints that have been placed in our lives by a loving and gracious God. C. S. Lewis wrote, “Fallen humanity is not simply an imperfect creature who needs improvement: humans are rebels who must lay down their arms. Laying down your arms, surrendering, saying you are sorry, realizing that you have been on the wrong track and getting ready to start life over again from the ground floor – that is the only way out of a "hole." This process of surrender – this movement full speed astern – is repentance.” Such repentance is to take refuge in God, in that repentance we find happiness for in that place we meet the true king, Jesus Christ, ready to welcome us home.
PRAYER:
Lord God, we have been in rebellion against you and your Son, Jesus Christ. We have thought we were in charge, we confess our sin, and seek to live in the refuge of your forgiveness. We pray that you would have mercy on the powers of this world who in their arrogance assume their supremacy. In your judgment, Lord, have mercy. In Jesus’ name. Amen.