Bible League: Living His Word Why do the nations rageand the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD and against his Anointed, saying, "Let us burst their bonds apart and cast away their cords from us." Everything, including every person and every nation, exists under the Kingdom rule and reign of the Lord and His Anointed, Jesus Christ. We know that "his Anointed" in our verses for today refers to Jesus because Acts 4:25-27 tells us so specifically. Jesus is the Messiah, the "Anointed," who now sits at the Lord's right hand and reigns over "all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come" (Ephesians 1:21). From this position of authority and power He will fight against the enemies of His Kingdom until all of them have been humbled beneath his feet (I Corinthians 15:25). Given the position and place of the Lord and His Anointed, it makes no sense to plot against them and fight to overthrow their rule and reign. It makes no sense because they cannot be overthrown. There is no rule and reign that can take their place. One can rebel against them, but one cannot "burst their bonds apart and cast their cords from us." If you don't like their Kingdom and their rule, there is no other kingdom you can flee to. Although you may certainly join Satan in his rebellion, although you may certainly join his kingdom, his "kingdom" is nothing more than a parasitical regime that exists under the Kingdom rule and reign of the Lord and His Anointed. Ironically, like a parasite, Satan is trying to overthrow the very Kingdom that his kingdom depends upon for its very existence. It is a futile endeavor, therefore, to join Satan in his revolt, because it can never succeed in any kind of final or ultimate sense. In point of fact, it is doomed to destruction (Revelation 20:7-10). That's why the Lord wonders why the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain. He wonders why they reject His glorious and beneficent rule and the rewards that come from it and instead fight and struggle to establish their own rule and reign. Indeed, the Lord finds the rage and plots of the rebellious laughable and He holds them in derision (Psalm 2:4). It is a foolish thing to rebel against the Kingdom rule and reign of the Lord and His Anointed. Bible in a Year Old Testament ReadingEzekiel 38, 39 Ezekiel 38 -- The Malice of Gog NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Ezekiel 39 -- God's Judgment upon Gog and Israel's Victory NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB New Testament Reading 1 Peter 4 1 Peter 4 -- Living for Christ and Partaking in His Sufferings NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Reading Plan Courtesy of Christian Classics Etherial Library. Tyndale Life Application Daily Devotion You will fold them up like a cloakand discard them like old clothing. But you are always the same; you will live forever. Insight What does it mean that Christ is changeless (“you are always the same”)? It means that Christ's character will never change. He persistently shows his love to us. He is always fair, just, and merciful to us who are so undeserving. Challenge Be thankful that Christ is changeless—he will always help you when you need it and offer forgiveness when you fall. Morning and Evening by Spurgeon Ephesians 1:7 The forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace.Could there be a sweeter word in any language than that word "forgiveness," when it sounds in a guilty sinner's ear, like the silver notes of jubilee to the captive Israelite? Blessed, forever blessed be that dear star of pardon which shines into the condemned cell, and gives the perishing a gleam of hope amid the midnight of despair! Can it be possible that sin, such sin as mine, can be forgiven, forgiven altogether, and forever? Hell is my portion as a sinner--there is no possibility of my escaping from it while sin remains upon me--can the load of guilt be uplifted, the crimson stain removed? Can the adamantine stones of my prison-house ever be loosed from their mortices, or the doors be lifted from their hinges? Jesus tells me that I may yet be clear. Forever blessed be the revelation of atoning love which not only tells me that pardon is possible, but that it is secured to all who rest in Jesus. I have believed in the appointed propitiation, even Jesus crucified, and therefore my sins are at this moment, and forever, forgiven by virtue of his substitutionary pains and death. What joy is this! What bliss to be a perfectly pardoned soul! My soul dedicates all her powers to him who of his own unpurchased love became my surety, and wrought out for me redemption through his blood. What riches of grace does free forgiveness exhibit! To forgive at all, to forgive fully, to forgive freely, to forgive forever! Here is a constellation of wonders; and when I think of how great my sins were, how dear were the precious drops which cleansed me from them, and how gracious was the method by which pardon was sealed home to me, I am in a maze of wondering worshipping affection. I bow before the throne which absolves me, I clasp the cross which delivers me, I serve henceforth all my days the Incarnate God, through whom I am this night a pardoned soul. Daily Light on the Daily Path Proverbs 1:10 My son, if sinners entice you, Do not consent.Genesis 3:6 When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was desirable to make one wise, she took from its fruit and ate; and she gave also to her husband with her, and he ate. Joshua 22:20 'Did not Achan the son of Zerah act unfaithfully in the things under the ban, and wrath fall on all the congregation of Israel? And that man did not perish alone in his iniquity.'" Exodus 23:2 "You shall not follow the masses in doing evil, nor shall you testify in a dispute so as to turn aside after a multitude in order to pervert justice; Matthew 7:13 "Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. Romans 14:7 For not one of us lives for himself, and not one dies for himself; Galatians 5:13 For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. 1 Corinthians 8:9,12 But take care that this liberty of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak. • And so, by sinning against the brethren and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ. Isaiah 53:6 All of us like sheep have gone astray, Each of us has turned to his own way; But the LORD has caused the iniquity of us all To fall on Him. New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit http://www.lockman.org. |
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