Being vs. Serving the King

Summer is here. Which means for me, a high school teacher, summer vacation is my reality. It is nice to enjoy days working on various projects around the house or simply taking the day to relax. But regardless of the schedule of my day, there is always time in my day to break open the Scriptures and spend time learning from and listening to the voice of God. This week, I read through Psalm 2. I have read this ancient psalm many times before, but it was never really a psalm that I gleaned from if I am being honest. However, reading it again this week “hit different” as my high school students would say. 

The psalmist (most likely David) begins with a scene which he finds astounding. 

“Why are the nations in an uproar and the peoples devising a vain thing? The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers take counsel together against the Lord and against His Anointed saying, ‘Let us tear their fetters apart and cast away their cords from us!’” (Psalm 2:1-3, NASB)

The idea of the kings of the earth taking a stand against the Lord is something David cannot comprehend. He does not understand why anyone would be in opposition to God or refuse to submit to the ways of the Lord. After all, the Lord is strong, wise, powerful, superior, holy, benevolent, and much more! Why would anyone want to rise up against the Lord? 

David continues,

“He who sits in the heavens laughs, the Lord scoffs at them. Then He will speak to them in His anger and terrify them in His fury saying, ‘But as for me, I have installed My King upon Zion, My holy mountain.’” (Psalm 2:4-6, NASB)

God’s response to those who exalt themselves up against Him is not one of fear and trembling; instead, God laughs. He is not scared, though a great army rises up against Him and His people. He is not threatened with the vast expanse of warriors on the horizon. God knows His King and His Kingdom are not going anywhere. His King and His Kingdom are everlasting. Though kings rise up, those same kings will also fall and pass away. But there is one King who rises up and will never fall nor pass away; therefore, His Kingdom will never end. His name is Jesus the Messiah; and our invitation is to live in submission to Jesus, yielding to His rule and reign each day.

So the question I felt the Lord asking me which I will ask you is this: “Are you like the kings of the earth in this psalm, living in opposition to the Lord, His King, and His Kingdom?” This question might seem rhetorical at first glance, but I want you to take it as a moment to be reflective. 

If you are like me having grown up in a Christian church, you know that you should not oppose the Lord. You have been taught to revere, respect, and love God at all times and in every area of your life. In fact, if I were to ask the people closest to you if you are in opposition to God, they would be hard-pressed to find any indicator that you are in opposition to God. But I want you to really consider this question. I know you might not be making war against the Lord’s people or stealing money from Christian organizations or other overtly evil things. 

Consider these other questions to help you reflect:

How often do you try to exalt yourself above God?

How often are your ways in direct opposition to God’s ways?

How often do you not want to submit to how your life should be in God’s kingdom?

Has God called you to do something that you still have not followed in obedience?

Our call as followers of Jesus is to serve the King, not to be the king. Yet, many times we try to be the king and make Jesus serve our needs. If you had a moment of hesitancy with any of these questions or the Spirit highlighted anything in your life, please take a moment to repent of how you have opposed the work of God in your life. The only response we have is one of repentance and submission which I believe is the best way to move forward.

Hear the words of David to the kings of the earth,

“Now therefore, O kings, show discernment; take warning, O judges of the earth. Worship the Lord with reverence and rejoice with trembling. Do homage to the Son, that He will not become angry and you perish in the way, for His wrath may soon be kindled. How blessed are all who take refuge in Him!”

May prayer is that you have eyes to see where you have exalted yourself above God or opposed His ways and return to a life of full submission to the King each and every day.