Once we understand what is really going on in both the seen and unseen realms, things begin to take shape and make much more sense. In Psalm 82 we find the dispersed nations being divided and judged (or ruled over) by spiritual beings. But these members of the Divine Counsel didn't do so faithfully, and God passed judgment on them as a result.

Though their sentence has been levied, God leaves them in place, influencing the nations to again rebel and rise up against God, shouting nonsense like “Let’s tear off their chains
and throw their ropes off of us.” As always, thought, God has a proper response: He presents the King.

Noah stepped off the ark still possessing the seed of rebellion in his DNA and after Babel, sin had not vanished; it had matured. Humanity is still resisting God's Divine rule. Kings continue to set themselves against God and His Anointed. They aren't slowly drifting away, they are actively resisting.

Deuteronomy 32 showed us how the nations were handed over; Psalm 82 showed us deep corruption and now Psalm 2 reminds us once again God has yet to relinquish His claim on the nations. He literally laughs at their rebellion, at their ridiculous idea that they somehow have standing before the Creator of the Universe. He isn't laughing because they are funny, He's laughing because their efforts are futile.

God knows that revolting nations aren't the final reality. The King of Kings is already established in eternity. God says "I have installed my king on Zion, my holy mountain." The reversal continues.

The nations were scattered and handed over. Now they are raging, but these same nations are promised to be the inheritance of the Son. That truth brings us real and lasting hope. God is not content to allow the nations to persist in their corruption forever. One day He will bring them under the good and peaceful rule of King of Zion. This promise finds fulfillment in the person of Jesus, the risen Son who is given all authority in heaven and on earth.

Today's heart question is about allegiance. Everyone serves a kingdom of some sort. Everyone lives under the authority of a throne of some kind. No one disputes that we have a ruler. The question is to which ruler have you and I given our loyalty?

This passage backs us into a corner and asks us with a straight face whether or not we are yet clinging to this illusion of autonomy and worldly power or if we have take refuge in Him.

The danger here is two-fold. On the one hand, our hearts often resist the rule of any king, or at least the rule of one who is actually and truly above us. We don't mind suggestions, but bristle at real surrender.

On the other hand, we sometimes find ourselves in blind commitment to earthly kings and rulers of this world, seeking their protection and blessing. When we pledge our allegiance to the "kings" of this world, we aren't only aligning with the ruler themselves, but the powers who stand behind them who are all too willing to lead us away from the one True King.

Where do you still resist Christ’s authority in your life? What if we did more than admire the King, but took absolute refuge in him?

Father, I am so grateful the nations are not lost forever, which means neither am I. Root out the dark places in my heart which still resist your rule and reign. Teach me to take refuge in Jesus, to trust that His reign is good and worthy of my full allegiance. Amen.