“Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against His anointed…” Psalm 2:1-2 (KJB)
rage
While in Thought the Fire Burned
“I said, I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue: I will keep my mouth with a bridle, while the wicked is before me. I was dumb with silence, I held my peace, even from good; and my sorrow was stirred.
My heart was hot within me, while I was musing the fire burned: then spake I with my tongue, ‘LORD, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is; that I may know how frail I am. Behold, thou hast made my days as an handbreadth; and mine age is as nothing before thee: verily every man at his best state is altogether vanity.’ Selah.” Psalm 39:1-5 (KJB)
The Psalmist, the singer, was refusing to speak and be silent. While he is being silent his thoughts rage, the fire burns as he continues to add fuel to that fire.
I have been there. I am fairly certain that all who are reading this has been in that place where you bridle your tongue, and wisely so, but the anger, the hurt continues to rage in your thoughts. What do we do with that?
David realized he had a problem. He took it to the LORD. So must we take it to Him.
Going to God in prayer is the best place to vent, to complain about that man or woman or situation that has caused our thoughts to roar at us; rousing anger, rage, and maybe even bits of hatred.
I was asked not too long ago, ‘Don’t you ever get angry?’ My answer to that was, “Yes!” If it is not seen by others there must be something going on. One of at least two things: 1. I am just covering it and building a fire in me making me even angrier; or 2. I have taken the rage, anger, and hatred to the throne of God.
The first can be dangerous. The second is the way of the faithful Christian. When we take our complaints to the Lord, then we will have less of a problem getting along with others.
Jesus Christ died on the cross to deliver us from our sins. He was buried to carry away our sins and shame. He arose from the grave the victor over sin, death, and hell. He is coming again. Do you know Him?
Always Trust, Rely on the LORD
“And at that time Hanani the seer came to Asa king of Judah, and said unto him, Because thou hast relied on the king of Syria, and not relied on the LORD thy God, therefore is the host of the king of Syria escaped out of thine hand. Were not the Ethiopians and the Lubims a huge host, with very many chariots and horsemen? Yet, because thou didst rely on the LORD, He delivered them into thine hand. For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew Himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward Him. Herein thou hast done foolishly: therefore from henceforth thou shalt have wars. Then Asa was wroth with the seer, and put him in a prison house; for he was in a rage with him because of this thing. And Asa oppressed some of the people the same time.” 2 Chronicles 16:7-10 (KJV)
It has previously been written that Asa did right in the eyes of the LORD (14:2). He also trusted the LORD in a battle against a massive enemy from Ethiopia (14:9-15).
It shows the man, the king of Judah, who did right in the eyes of the LORD, also was a weak, fickle, man and king; when we see him dependent upon an enemy [Syria] against his brethren of the northern kingdom (16:1-6).
We can see in these verses that the word of God is sure, it will stand; and even though kings and presidents do not like it; GOD is correct, and His word will come to pass.
The One we are to rely on is the LORD our God, through His Son Jesus Christ who died on the cross for our sins, was buried, and rose again. You or I cannot depend or rely on anything or anyone else but Him.
The People Versus God
There are competitions galore. Track and Field competitions, swimming, football, soccer, basketball, even political competitions when we go to the polls and vote. You get the idea.
One competition this world is in, and cannot win is the competition that is going on against God and His Word. The following is what the Psalmist recognized in his day…
“Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing?” Psalm 2:1 (KJV)
“The heathen” is another word for the nations of the world. Hey world! You cannot win against God. It is already decided. Jesus won on the cross. The enemy is defeated. The bodily resurrection of Christ is the evidence. Submit to Him or perish in your sins, and rebellion.
The question of the Psalmist is a great one, “Why do the heathen rage?” It is a foolish endeavor. Believe Jesus and be delivered from your condemnation.
“He that believeth on Him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” John 3:18
The Fire and Hammer 