Psalm 2: Are You Pushing?

The weekend Psalm for:
October.17-18.2009
Read Psalm 2 from the English Standard Version
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The Big Idea
My grandfather was a railroad man. When I was only about 5 years old, we were walking along the tracks, and I saw a boxcar a little way ahead of us. I said "I think I can push that." He said that I could try.

As we walked toward it, it loomed larger and larger in front of me, and I quickly began to realize that this was going to be far harder that I expected. I pushed, and nothing happened--I expected it to at least rock a little, but no...nothing.

One of our culture's pervasive images is the idea that each of us is the King/Queen over our household. It's a clever idea that suggests that we all want a place where we don't have to live under anyone's authority. It's good to be the king. I've seen people work awfully hard to break any claim that God might have on their life. For many of us, our greatest battles are fought to win our autonomy. You go right ahead: Push that box car.

This Psalm reminds us that we are not, ultimately, in control. The more we wage war against God, the more he sits back and chuckles at us. I'm sure my grandfather chucked--finding great irony in my own self-assurance, and my own blindness to my own weakness.

Meditation
When all the world is in chaos, when sabres are rattling, and people are struggling to assert their power, influence, and self-sufficiency, God reminds us: "I've already set up my chosen king. The issue is settled, so don't kill yourself trying to change the outcome."

The kings of the earth are reminded to serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling. Yes, this means world leaders. But it also means you.

This weekend, consider your own autonomy, how you cherish it, and how you fight for it. Then remember this: If you think you have outgrown your need for God, go ahead, push that boxcar. Use this psalm as a reminder of your own frailty before the triumphant King.


Praying With This Psalm
You can pray scripture prayers for yourself or for others.

• Father God, when  _________ sees nations rage, remind them that the same battle is in their heart as well.  
  
• May ______ quit trying to break your sovereignty over their life, and quit trying to cast off all restraint.  
  
• Oh, God Most High, you have already chosen the one true King over all. May ______ turn to you and and live under the gracious rule and reign of Jesus Christ. 
  
• Almighty God, give _______ the grace of serving you with fear and rejoicing with trembling. May _______ know the fearsome comfort of being overwhelmed by your glory and holiness. 
  

Related Scriptures and Scripture Prayers

• Luke 12:31-32. The Kingdom Can Be Yours...
  Lord, forgive ______ when they forget to seek your kingdom. We are all so good at building our own kingdoms, but they will fall to nothing. 
  
• John 3:16-17. The son can save us...
  Lord God, thank you for sending your one and only son to save ______. May the power of these verses overwhelm _______ with a sense of your sovereign grace and the way your provided Jesus Christ as _______'s way to salvation. 
• I Corinthians 6:19-20. Bought with a price...
  Father God, when we know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, we need to remember the price you paid. Help _______ know that they have been bought with a price, and give them the ability to honor you in what they do, and how they live. Remind ______ that living right before you does not gain us any points with you, but it is a way we can express our gratitude for saving us from the burden of our sin.

(Some Rights Reserved, CC-BY-NC, 2009). L. J. Sam Helgerson, PhD