The Importance of Psalm 2

Rudyard Kipling used to speak of the six faithful men who taught him all he knew. Their names are What, When, Where, Why, How and Who. We do need to encourage people to be asking questions. Sermons need to be both informative but must be helping people to think. A Nobel prizewinner in Physics was asked in a radio broadcast what he attributed his success to. He immediately replied,

“My mother. Whenever I came home from school she didn’t ask me how well I had done in the tests but repeatedly enquired, ‘Did you ask any good questions today?’”

Too often teachers and preachers emphasise ‘How’. How to raise healthy children, how to have a good marriage, how to be happy, how to succeed in live or even how to please God. If this question is our priority in churches we will only produce superficial Christians. People need to be asking ‘Why?’ Why should I pray and read the Bible every day, why share the gospel, why is going to church a priority, why should I behave in a godly way even when no-one is watching. Helping people to ask such ‘Why’ questions, and find answers, will produce more determined, resolute Christians.

The apostle Paul recognised that it will be by the renewal of our minds, by asking the ‘Why’ questions that we will become determined Christians:

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” Romans 12:2

People who can answer the ‘Why’ questions draw others in. In Australia there was a very popular television programme that ran for 25 years. It dominated the ratings. The programme was called, ‘Why is it so?’ Every Tuesday night Julius Sumner Miller, a Professor of Physics at Sydney University, would investigate some fascinating occurrence and ask ‘Why?’ No wonder it was so successful.

Psalm 2 begins with the question ‘Why?’, ‘Why do the nations conspire . . ,’ whereas Psalm 1 majors on the question ‘Who?’, ‘Blessed is the man who does not walk in the council of the wicked . . .’

What is striking is the way that this psalm speaks not only of David’s situation but also to that of Jesus, to that of the early church and also to us today.

The Psalm’s Relevance to David

David is writing about the kings around him, especially the Philistines, who have allied together against Jahweh and his anointed King David. He asks ‘Why?’ and this is a good question. We should ask today, ‘Why are so many dictatorial regimes in the world today so ardently opposed to the churches and the Christian message?’

When we took a group of medical students to take a Christian medical camp in Kursk, Russia we were invited to the Sunday service in a large Baptist church. It was apparent that there were very few older men present but many older women. I asked one of the older ladies why this was and she explained:

“We had frequent visits from the KGB and they took our men away. We never saw them again.”

Why do Christians in North Korea, China, Iran and Myanmar face such persecution. In China the membership of the Communist Party in 2020 was around 98 million. The number of Christians is probably higher, according to Pew research:

“Some media reports and academic papers have suggested the Christian share may be larger, with estimates as high as seven per cent (100 million) or nine per cent (130 million) of the total population including children.”

Yet churches in China are being pulled down and stripped of religious symbols and when ministers are appointed by the state they are required to pledge their allegiance to the officially atheistic Communist Party. The state has even demolished state-sanctioned churches considered too popular and have torn down more than 1,500 crosses in Zhejiang province alone. The resulting underground Protestant Churches are vibrant but even here the surveillance of Christians has increased dramatically. Why is this happening?

This was the question David was asking:

“Why do the nations conspire and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth rise up and the rulers band together against the Lord and against his anointed . . .” Psalm 2:1-2

The Hebrew word translated ‘conspire’ is the same as that use in Psalm 1:2 for ‘meditate’. This is surely no coincidence. Some people ‘plot’ against God whereas Christians ‘plan’ how to promote his glory.

David was also despised by his enemies, in spite of his power. They colluded together to try to defeat him saying:

“Let us break their chains and throw off their shackles.” Psalm 2:3

The purpose of their rage and plotting is an attempt to throw off the authority of God and His Anointed One. The ungodly cannot stand being controlled by the supreme Ruler of the universe and His Son. The psalm reminds us all that to be opposed to a loving, omnipotent God is stupidity itself. They wanted to escape from his oversight into the slavery of self rule.

Freedom is never free, there is always a price to be paid. Real freedom always has restraints. To demand my rights all the time is a recipe for disaster in friendships, in marriages, and eventually in and between nations. President John F. Kennedy's Inaugural Address (1961) wisely included the phrase:

“Ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country"

True freedom is not without restraints. We are most free when we are living within the constraints of God’s righteousness.

Why do so many conspire against God’s rule? Just as our earth is so puny in comparison to the universe, so is man in comparison to our creator.

The psalmist now takes us to heaven and God’s response. He is not worried at all, he simply scoffs at this pitiable rebellion.

“The One enthroned in heaven laughs; the Lord scoffs at them. He rebukes them in his anger and terrifies them in his wrath,” Psalm 2:4-5

In response to this rebellion God says,

“I have installed my king on Zion, my holy mountain.” Psalm 2:6

David’s dynasty continued in Judah for only four hundred years yet there are many promises in Scripture that one of David’s descendants will rule God’s kingdom for ever. Here are some of these remarkable prophecies:

“A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit. The Spirit of the Lord will rest on him - the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of might, the Spirit of the knowledge and fear of the Lord - and he will delight in the fear of the Lord. He will not judge by what he sees with his eyes, or decide by what he hears with his ears; but with righteousness he will judge the needy, with justice he will give decisions for the poor of the earth. He will strike the earth with the rod of his mouth; with the breath of his lips he will slay the wicked. Righteousness will be his belt and faithfulness the sash around his waist.” Isaiah 11:1-5

“In love a throne will be established; in faithfulness a man will sit on it - one from the house of David - one who in judging seeks justice and speeds the cause of righteousness.” Isaiah 16:5

“The days are coming,” declares the Lord, “when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, a King who will reign wisely and do what is just and right in the land. In his days Judah will be saved and Israel will live in safety. This is the name by which he will be called: The Lord Our Righteous Saviour.” Jeremiah 23:5-6

This is extraordinary, a man will be called Jahweh, he will be righteous which is only a characteristic of God and he will save God’s people.

“In those days and at that time I will make a righteous Branch sprout from David’s line; he will do what is just and right in the land.” Jeremiah 33:15

“My servant David will be king over them, and they will all have one shepherd. They will follow my laws and be careful to keep my decrees.” Ezekiel 37:24

In the days of antagonism and scoffing God confidently asserts, “This is my beloved Son. Listen to him.” God’s Son is safe. His throne is secure. Nothing in all eternity can upset this. Death won’t harm God’s Son or his people, there is eternal security.

These are not the only time that God’s Son is mentioned in the Old Testament. King Agur asks some questions about the God who created the earth. His final question is important. How else can mankind know an infinite, all-powerful God unless he reveals himself.

“Who has gone up to heaven and come down? Whose hands have gathered up the wind? Who has wrapped up the waters in a cloak? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is his name, and what is the name of his son? Surely you know!” Proverbs 30:4

Isaiah was told of a virgin birth of the son of God – Immanuel means ‘God with us’.

“Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.” Isaiah 7:14

Isaiah tells us more about this Son of God, he is the mighty God, he is everlasting, he will govern justly and righteously for ever and he will be a descendant of King David:

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. Isaiah 9:6-7

This prophecy about the Messiah was given about 700 years before the birth of Jesus.

What David wrote in this psalm about God and his Son is very important indeed.

The Psalm’s Relevance to Jesus

Can you imagine the apprehension Jesus must have felt as he started out on his ministry, a ministry that would involve conflict and which he knew would result in his death. It is no surprise therefore that his heavenly Father encouraged him at this special time. All people need encouragement when facing difficult times. At his baptism, as he started his public ministry, his heavenly Father had said,

“And a voice came from heaven: ‘You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.’” Luke 3:21-22

Jesus was transfigured at the top of a mountain in front of Peter, James and John. As he was about to travel down to Jerusalem and death his Father again reassured him:

“A voice came from the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, whom I have chosen; listen to him.” Luke 9:35

On both occasions his Father was quoting the words of Psalm 2:

“He said to me, “You are my son; today I have become your father.” Psalm 2:7

Jesus would have known how this psalm continues:

“Ask me, and I will make the nations your inheritance, the ends of the earth your possession. You will break them with a rod of iron; you will dash them to pieces like pottery.” Psalm 2:8-9

This would have reminded Jesus of the authority he had been given, his Father’s authority. The whole world belonged to him. In comparison the temporary empires of people like Alexander the Great, The Roman Empire, Charlemagne, Napoleon and Stalin are insignificant. Although his power was absolute, the power of life and death, Jesus exhibited this power in the most gracious of ways. His absolute power of life and death will be seen at the final judgment when Jesus will be on the throne of judgment.

God knows that we all need encouragement to keep living for God and Jesus was given this. This was great encouragement not only for Jesus but also for the disciples. Towards the end of his life Peter looked back to when he saw Jesus in this transfigured state and it helped to change how he lived for the rest of his life.

“For we did not follow cleverly devised stories when we told you about the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ in power, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. He received honour and glory from God the Father when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, saying,

“This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”

We ourselves heard this voice that came from heaven when we were with him on the sacred mountain.” 2 Peter 1:16-18

Jesus’ authority

The emphasis on the authority of the Son in this psalm is notable. All the nations are his and he will be its judge.

This emphasis on the authority of Jesus is emphasised in the gospels. The second temptation from Satan that Jesus faced was about authority in the world:

“And he said to him, “I will give you all their authority and splendour; it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to.” Luke 4:6

This is typical of Satan – he offers to Jesus what he already had! Repeatedly we learn that Jesus exhibited this authority:

“They were amazed at his teaching, because his words had authority.” Luke 4:32

“All the people were amazed and said to each other, “What words these are! With authority and power he gives orders to impure spirits and they come out!” Luke 4:36

Jesus healed people with divine authority, but even more important is that he alone is able to forgive our sins and accept us into the Kingdom of God.

“But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So he said to the paralysed man, “I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.” Luke 5:24

When Jesus sent out the Twelve he shared his authority with them:

“When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases,” Luke 9:1

“I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you.” Luke 10:19

This authority of Jesus is very real:

“But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after your body has been killed, has authority to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him.” Luke 12:5

One day as Jesus was teaching the people in the temple courts and proclaiming the good news, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, together with the elders, came up to him, questioning his authority:

“Tell us by what authority you are doing these things,” they said. “Who gave you this authority?” Luke 20:2

When anyone recognises who Jesus really is, they will immediately recognise his authority. Jesus passed on his authority to all his followers at Pentecost. Note the three priorities of those Jesus chose:

“He appointed twelve that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach and to have authority to drive out demons. Mark 3:14-15

These priorities have never changed, all Christians must become holy because He is holy, we must prioritise the sharing of the gospel of salvation because that was why Jesus came and we must oppose evil wherever we find it, just as he did.

The Psalm’s Relevance to the Early Church

The early church was also beginning its ministry and persecution was just beginning. Peter and John were on trial before the Sanhedrin and had been told by the high priest not to talk about Jesus. They replied by saying that they had to obey God rather than men! They were in fact saying that Jesus was their ultimate authority. Surprisingly they were allowed to go free.

“On their release, Peter and John went back to their own people and reported all that the chief priests and the elders had said to them. When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God. “Sovereign Lord,” they said, “you made the heavens and the earth and the sea, and everything in them. You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of your servant, our father David:

‘Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth rise up and the rulers band together against the Lord and against his anointed one.’

Indeed Herod and Pontius Pilate met together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel in this city to conspire against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed. They did what your power and will had decided beforehand should happen.” Acts 4:23-28

Their response to persecution was not only praise but a recognition that the Scriptures were relevant to their situation a thousand years later. David had recognised in Psalm 2 that the Philistines were antagonistic to Jahweh and himself as his representative. The young church applied this both to the way Herod and Pilate had persecuted Jesus and to the way they were now being threatened. Their response was that they all had to obey God rather than man as his authority is supreme.

This remained the authority of the church. In Acts 8, immediately after the martyrdom of Stephen, we are told:

“On that day a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria. Godly men buried Stephen and mourned deeply for him. But Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off both men and women and put them in prison. Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went.” Acts 8:1-4

Some of these Christians arrived in Antioch, a major Roman city. There they were given a derogatory nickname, the ‘Christians’, but they gloried in this title, they were God’s anointed ones:

“Now those who had been scattered by the persecution that broke out when Stephen was killed traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch, spreading the word only among Jews. Some of them, however, men from Cyprus and Cyrene, went to Antioch and began to speak to Greeks also, telling them the good news about the Lord Jesus. The Lord’s hand was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord.” Acts 11:19-21

Why were these Christians being attacked? Pliny the Younger was the Governor of Bithynia, a small state in northern Turkey in about AD 112. He wrote letters on many subjects to his friend, the Emperor Trajan. One of these concerned the problem that Pliny faced with ‘the perverse religious cult’ of Christianity in his area. He complained that, because of this new religion, people were deserting the pagan temples, that sacred festivals were bing discontinued and that the lucrative trade in animals for temple worship was dwindling, He said that it was his custom to arrest any Christians he could find. An anonymous letter naming many Christians had helped his search. If they persisted in their allegiance to Jesus, after being warned, he had them executed. Pliny discovered that true Christians would rather die than pray to the pagan gods, or ‘curse Christ’ or make an offering to the Emperor’s statue. Yet Pliny acknowledged that though they had strange beliefs their lives were honourable - though they worshipped ‘Christ as God’ he could find little else that they did to be wrong!

In the first and second centuries after Christ the Romans attacked groups of Christians. The second century apologists asked ‘Why are we being treated in this way?’ They said:

“We are pious. We are righteously disposed towards government. We are kind like our Saviour. We are good citizens. What do you find so offensive in us?”

Even today there is a widespread advocacy of tolerance – except against Christians. The writer Samuel Taylor Coleridge wrote,

“I have seen great intolerance shown in support of tolerance.”

Jesus warned his followers to expect such trouble saying,

“If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. Remember what I told you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. “ John 15:18-20

Problems can come for Christians from many directions. Joni was a sixteen year old girl who went swimming in Chesapeake Bay. She dived into the water from a buoy and broke her neck, becoming quadriplegic which has been her cross for life. She later wrote,

“I now realise that God allows what he hates in order to achieve what he loves.”

God says ‘I have installed his king in Zion’, so whoever or whatever conspires against him will eventually pay a heavy price and whatever happens to those who belong to him they are safe or saved. Jesus is God’s prophet, priest and king. He spoke the ‘Word of God’, he is the ‘Word of God’ and he rules over all. Christ’s followers need to understand that we now have this prophetic ministry to teach the Word of God, to live as God’s Word teaches us in the certainty that in eternity we shall relish being with him. The psalmist continues:

“I will proclaim the Lord’s decree.” Psalm 2:7

Those who call themselves Christians but have no desire to share what they have learned have a real problem. Have they really grasped who Jesus is?

A young Italian lady who held a PhD in psychology had been raised in a staunchly atheistic home and had been rooted in a materialistic way of thinking. She had never entertained the thought that there might be a god, let alone one who knows and loves her. She joined a local church ‘mother and toddlers group’ and noticed something different about the Christians who ran it. She was invited to come to the church and over the following six moths became intrigued. Eventually she brought her husband and children who had shared her secular outlook. She became a christian and now the whole household follow Jesus Christ.

She immediately started to bring other friends and colleagues to church and Christian events. When the vicar said that he found this encouraging she replied, “Isn’t that inevitable?”

The Psalm’s Relevance to today’s church

What is relevant to Jesus and to the early church must be relevant to the church today, after all we have been given the same Spirit of Jesus.

“He said to me, “You are my son; today I have become your father. Ask me, and I will make the nations your inheritance, the ends of the earth your possession.” Psalm 2:7-8

Who is the me here? In context it is David. Later God said the same to Jesus both at his baptism and his transfiguration. The early church saw its relevance to them but it is also very relevant to us today – we are also in God’s family. Christ’s inheritance always has been the whole earth. When Jesus was tempted, Satan offered him all the kingdoms of the world if only he would bow down and worship himself. Yet it wan’t Satan’s to offer. This was a scam. The world belongs to God and his Son, all those claiming dominion are squatters!

The psalms are the great missionary book in the Old Testament because they speak about what rightfully belongs to the Lord Jesus. This is why churches exist. Mission is not an option but an obligation.

A young very able man, recently married, stayed in our home recently. He explained:

“We are going as lifelong missionaries to Kurdistan to share the gospel there.”

They have understood the authority that Jesus and his followers have been given:

“You will break them with a rod of iron; you will dash them to pieces like pottery.” Psalm 2:9

This is why God and his people can be forthright.

“Therefore, you kings, be wise; be warned, you rulers of the earth. Serve the Lord with fear and celebrate his rule with trembling. Kiss his son, or he will be angry and your way will lead to your destruction, for his wrath can flare up in a moment. Blessed are all who take refuge in him.” Psalm 2:10-12

The choice people face is either to be blessed or to perish. Psalm 1 begins,

“Blessed is the man who . . .” Psalm 1:1

Psalm 2 ends

“Blessed are all who take refuge in him.” Psalm 2:12

In contrast Psalm 1 ends:

“ . . . but the way of the wicked will perish.” Psalm 1:6

The only way we can receive God’s favour is by turning to God’s Son and asking him to save us for eternity. How foolish it is to try and find refuge in temporary joys such as relationships, careers, sports, fitness or hobbies - these will all pass away.

God’s anointed Son, who has been given authority over the whole world, gave his people a final directive:

“Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20

The structure of this psalm is interesting with different people speaking:

v.1-2 the psalmist speaks

v.3 the rebellious kings speak

v.4 the psalmist speaks

v.6-7 the Lord speaks

v.7-9 could either be the Lord speaking to David, or Jesus speaking to his followers

v. 10-12 the psalmist speaks

Notice that David’s original question. ‘Why do the nations conspire . . . ? is not answered but instead tells us how God responds to opposition. It is also teaching us that although we may not find all the answers now, we have been shown how we should live.

1. We should be driven by the same grace that God has for people.

Many treat God with disdain or are plotting against him yet he simply appeals to them to stop rebelling. He sent his Son who keeps saying, ‘Come back to God’.

A donor who generously supports an Australian missionary college told the Principal that he would continue to support the college on one condition:

“As long as you continue to assert that people outside of Christ are going to eternal punishment.”

This is the message of Psalm 2. If churches get this right everything else falls into place. People really are “sheep without a shepherd”. People so easily get lost and go their own way but we can have no future outside of God. Only by ‘kissing the Son’, the good shepherd, can people be secure. Everything else we rely on fades over time.

In 2008 the United Kingdom ‘Teacher of the Year’ was a science teacher in a secondary school. When asked why he thought he had been chosen he replied,

“People are scared of science. They come into the laboratory, see all the equipment and think that science is for special people. My job is to convince them that science is for the average student and I think that that was why I was selected.”

When the need for ‘personal evangelism’ is raised it often creates a wave of despondency. People are scared that they cannot explain the ‘Four Spiritual Laws’ or ‘Two Ways to Live’. Other people seem so antagonistic to the gospel so why bother to talk about these things? Many today have never learnt how to talk about spiritual matters. However it is a matter of learning.

Yet the Bible teaches not just that sharing the gospel is the remit for the average Christian, it is the remit for all Christians. If you have not read ‘The Duty of a Disciple’ (that is now available from ICM at £4.99) please do, as this discusses this very question.

I became disillusioned with church and religion whilst at school but when I went to college I saw some Christians who were serious about God. They invited me to come and hear the gospel being taught and in the end I knew that God wanted me and I committed myself to him. Their persistent encouragement bore fruit. David Cooke, the Australian Bible teacher and evangelist, came from a family that was originally outright unbelieving. His dad managed to get a job selling insurance and was allocated to work alongside a man called Ernie. However he was warned,

“Cookie, be careful of Ernie. No-one else wants to work with him because Ernie is a Bible basher! Watch out for him!”

Within a year his dad had come home and announced that he had become a Christian and from that day the gospel entered his family. The reason was that Ernie loved his Lord and so never lost an opportunity to talk about Jesus. One day Ernie said:

“You know, its a wonderful thing to be a Christian.”

To this his dad replied, ‘Of course it would be,” and he gave his heart to Christ. ‘It’s a wonderful thing to be a Christian’ is not the greatest line but God used Ernie’s persistence to use this.

Sharing the news about Jesus is for the average Christian.

In Britain we are not good at starting conversations. How many people on a walk don’t even make eye contact with those they come across or say ‘good morning’.

A missionary to a Muslim country said:

“I’ve discovered a brilliant line to open up evangelistic opportunities with Muslims.”

“What is it?”

“Say, ‘Good morning. My name’s Mike.’”

How we all need to be taught how to speak about Jesus. I went to an all boy school and an all male college at university. Then I went down to do my clinical training at the London hospital. Soon I found myself attached to a gynaecology firm where I was expected to talk to ladies about intimate matters. I was so embarrassed and tongue tied, I was completely out of my depth. Yet, because it had to be done I learnt of ways to cope. Over the years this problem of talking about gynaecological problems has largely disappeared. The same is often true for us as Christians. It is not easy at first and we do need to be encouraged to start and persevere.

As a young Christian I went to help on a boys’ Christian camp. One day the leader of the camp asked me to do some ‘personal work’ with one of the campers. I confessed that I didn’t know how to do this. He was so kind. He suggested that after the evening camp talk I ask the lad if he would like a walk with me around the grounds.

“Ask him how he is enjoying camp and what he likes most. Then ask what he thinks of the talks. This is the perfect opening to ask what he thought of ‘the Way’ talk, explaining how people become Christians. It is then natural to ask him if he has made a decision about jesus yet and whether there is anything you could do to help him.”

Again, very embarrassed, I asked the teenager for that walk and the discussion went as the leader had scripted. It was a bit stilted but that lad became a Christian and years later became a well known Christian leader.

There are countless ways to start talking about the gospel. A Christian entered a coffee bar with a friend. There was a lady sitting on her own at the next table. The Christian’s friend got up to buy the coffee so the Christian smiled at the lady and asked,

“What sort of day are you having.”

“I’ve never been as nervous as I am today.”

It not often that such blatant opportunities are given to us but every now and then they will appear if we are looking for them. Philip had asked ‘What are you reading?’ and was told ‘I’m reading Isaiah 53, can you help me understand what it means.”

V.J.Menon worked for Lloyd’s insurance company when he became a Christian by mistake. He had wandered into a city building, following the crowd, thinking it was a mid-day concert. Too late, it turned out to be a lunch time lecture in St Helen’s church in the City. He was most impressed and following a series of vivid dreams he became a vibrant Christian. One of his favourite lines when sitting next to someone in a theatre or on a train is,

“Do you know that I used to be a Hindu?”

I am very fortunate in that I have an evangelistic dog. She is a lovely black retriever with a beautiful temperament. When out on a walk she will run up to any strangers and introduce herself. A sceptic might think she was after food! I then approach and say something like,

“I hope you don’t mind dogs.”

The usual reply is, ‘What a lovely dog she is’ and this gives a great opportunity.

“Life for us would be difficult for us if she wasn’t. We have many children and visitors in our home from our church and life would be very hard if she wasn’t so friendly.”

Some will ask ‘Which church do you go to?’ which opens up the conversation. If they don’t, it is very natural to ask, “Are you involved in a church or aren’t you sure about these things?”

We all need to learn how to open conversations and then how to move them onto something religious and then onto spiritual matters. For myself I try to move a conversation onto something to do with church or people’s behaviour as that gives the perfect opening to naturally ask,

“Do you have a faith yourself or aren’t you sure about these things.”

If they appear at all embarrassed I can simply tell my story about how God found me.

If we are trusting God to help us, knowing that acknowledging him is central to the faith, it is exciting to see how often opportunities to talk about Jesus and to invite people arise. I now always carry an article that explains the gospel and offer this to any I meet. This has my email address and website so if they are interested there is somewhere for them to go onto to.

2. Do we see ourselves in this Psalm?

God has given an intimate promise to his Son:

“You are my Son.”

And we are part of his family! God created and chose us so he has the creator’s right to direct our lives. Furthermore he has redeemed us by his son dying in our place so we are doubly in debt to him.

When Paul wrote to the church at Corinth he was discussing the problem of sexual integrity when he said:

“And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.” 2 Corinthians 5:15

The benefits of redemption are immense – the Son of God gave his life to bring us back into his family, the Kingdom of God.

The implications of redemption are immense – he bought us so we belong to him to fulfil his wishes.

Can we imagine the relief in a Jewish family on that first Passover night. The angel of God said that those who daub the blood of the passover lamb on their doorposts will be protected when the angel of death passes by. In the morning the Egyptian families were all wailing at the death of their oldest sons, but the Jewish families were all safe because of the blood. How overflowing with gratefulness those Jewish families would have been. In the same way we can look at the cross where Jesus died for us and, if this means anything to us, we also will be overflowing with praise. Now we are no longer our own, we belong to him.

When Paul spoke to the elders of the church in Miletus he knew it was unlikely that he would see them again but he could reassure them:

“However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.” Acts 20:24

Do we see other people with the same love that God has for them? They really are sheep without a shepherd. Our obligation is to speak to them and so live that they might recognise and kiss the Son. Those living in other nations are also his, so effective missionaries are necessary.

Do we see ourselves in this psalm? We no longer belong to ourselves but to him, so we must give our life to his service. A country’s ambassador speaks with the authority of its king, president or leader. We are now ambassadors for Christ so we speak with God’s authority.

“And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though christ were making his appeal through us.” 2 Corinthians 5:19-20

When I committed my life to Christ whilst at university I was recommended to read the biography of C.T. Studd by Norman Grubb. He had been a batsman in the England cricket eleven. In this book there is a picture of Tedworth House, the family mansion that he was due to inherit. He could have had a prosperous career but instead he committed his life to telling others about the Lord Jesus, first going to China with the Cambridge Seven and then going to Africa. In the book there is a picture of the luxurious Tedworth House but in the top corner there is a pencil sketch of a hut in Africa where CT later lived. Why did he sacrifice so much? CT gave the answer when he wrote,

“If Jesus Christ be God and died for me, then no sacrifice can be too great for me to make for him.”

God made a promise to our heavenly brother – the nations are yours for the asking. Therefore I am to respond in the same way that Jesus did, even in the midst of the same opposition that he faced.

David Cooke, the Australian Bible teacher and evangelist, has written this reminder to himself in the front of his Bible so that he can read it every day:

“When I reach the end of my days, a moment or two from now. I must look back on something more meaningful than the pursuit of houses and land and machines and stocks and bonds. I will consider my earthly existence to have been wasted unless I can recall a loving family, a consistent investment in the lives of people and an earnest attempt to serve the God who made me. Nothing else makes much sense.”

God says to each one of us,

“He said to me, “You are my son; today I have become your father. Ask me, and I will make the nations your inheritance, the ends of the earth your possession.” Psalm 2:7-8

What a great ambition it is for us to win back the nations for him!

BVP

February 2024