How do you know your prayers are heard by God?
This is a great opportunity to read Psalms; the Prayer Book of the Bible by Dietrich Bonhoeffer, "Lord, Teach Us to Pray!" We can be sure by praying the way HE taught us. Jesus gave us the Lord's Prayer when the disciples asked. We learn to pray for more than just "daily bread" when we use God's Word to pray RATHER THAN the often sinful desires of our heart.Read Psalm 2:1-3
1 Why do the nations rage/tumult and the peoples plot/murmur (same word as 1:2, meditate) in vain?2The kings of the earth set themselves/take a stand, and the rulers take counsel/SIT/fix (1:1) together, against the YHWH and against his Anointed ("Christos" in Greek), saying,
3"Let us burst their bonds apart and cast away their cords from us."
How do these people and leaders act toward God?
They "fix" together and they are NOT happy! Contrast to Ps.1 (producing & growing) the people in tumult & murmur/meditate!They are set against GOD & anointed one. Kings were anointed, David was anointed, Christ was the Anointed one. All of these come to mind.
They want FREEDOM! Might this be the attitude of a non-Christian when they look at the faithful people of God?
Read Psalm 2:4-6
4He who sits in the heavens laughs; the Lord holds them in derision/mocks them.5Then he will speak to them in his wrath/anger/nose/fire, and terrify them in his fury/burning anger, saying,
6"As for me/I, I have set/installed my King on
How does the Lord respond?
He acts in a terrible progression: Laugh, mock, anger – TERRIFY.The Lord speaks about HIS king. It must be a different king... Again, we think David, Christ...
Read Psalm 2:7-9
7I will tell of/recount the decree: The YHWH said to me, "You are my Son; today I have begotten you.8Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage/property, and the ends of the earth your possession.
9You shall break/smash them with a rod of iron and dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel."
Who is the "me" YHWH is speaking to?
David? A King? But this sounds very similar to Christ's baptism! Psalms include prophesy = Christ is God's son who has been given authority over all the earth. He will come again in glory to conquer the unrighteous.
David? A King? But this sounds very similar to Christ's baptism! Psalms include prophesy = Christ is God's son who has been given authority over all the earth. He will come again in glory to conquer the unrighteous.
Read Psalm 2:10-12
10Now therefore, O kings, be wise; be warned/be corrected, O rulers/judges of the earth.11 (y’all) Serve the YHWH with fear, and rejoice with trembling.
12 Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and you(all) perish in the way, for his wrath/anger is quickly kindled.
Blessed are all who take refuge in him.
What is the purpose of this psalm?
Warning to kings & people.
This is HOW to serve YHWH - in FEAR. To fear the Lord is not only reverence. It is contains terror as well. (See Isaiah 6)WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR ME?
How did Christ pray this Psalm?
In dealing with Pharisees and False teachers, we see glimpses of the wrath and judgement to come. (See warnings in Matthew 11 & 12)Christ continues to call them to FEAR.
In dealing with Pharisees and False teachers, we see glimpses of the wrath and judgement to come. (See warnings in Matthew 11 & 12)Christ continues to call them to FEAR.
Are we afraid of God?
Certainly, our sin makes us unworthy to stand before the Righteous Judge and it is proper to fear Him. We often confess that we SHOULD be punished for our sin. ("I...deserve your temporal and eternal punishment!") Our desparate situation is actually that bad - we continue to live unclean lives and WE don't get any closer to fixing it!
How do we “take refuge”(v.12) in this fearful image of God?
Our comfort is Christ. HE is the only one who could fix this relationship between God and man. Christ is the king that God has installed for his people. Christ will execute the judgement for those who oppose God. Christ has already absorbed and fulfilled the wrath of God that was intended to punish us(for lack of fear). We have been made the good "sons of God" (by virtue of Christ) in which He is well pleased!
PRAY:
What does God say? The First Commandment: Thou shalt have no other gods.
What does this mean? We should FEAR, love, and trust in God above all things.
What do we pray? Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
What does this mean?The good and gracious will of God is done indeed without our prayer; but we pray in this petition that it may be done among us also.
How is this done?When God breaks and hinders every evil counsel and will which would not let us hallow the name of God nor let His kingdom come, such as the will of the devil, the world, and our flesh; but strengthens and keeps us steadfast in His Word and in faith unto our end. This is His gracious and good will.
Studying a book this way is humbling, I think. You can't just sit down and decide what you're going to learn about and what God's Word has to say to you. The kingdom of God is bigger than our corner of the world.
ReplyDeleteAt the same time, if we fear God as this Psalm reminds us to do, won't things fall into place better for us in our little corner?
It's good to re-examine the meaning of the corporate confession.
Being in a place where we thought we would possibly not receive Communion for three years (until the wonderful LC-MS Chaplain transferred here!) helps to not take the corporate Confession and Absolution and Lord's Supper for granted.
Pride makes me think I have it all figured out. Pride makes me feel comfortable and safe.
ReplyDeleteFear... reminds me who I really am, a broken sinner. It reminds me who God is, a terrible judge. Wow I need a savior.
I agree Frances, get Jesus wherever you can. We can find refuge in the middle of FEAR.
Remember these shirts from the 90s? http://caringforthesoul.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/NO-FEAR-.jpg
ReplyDeleteWe should make Got Fear? shirts!