Psalm 2: Mammoth Cave National Park
1 Why do the nations conspire
and the peoples plot in vain?
2 The kings of the earth rise up
and the rulers band together
against the Lord and against his anointed, saying,
3 “Let us break their chains
and throw off their shackles.”
4 The One enthroned in heaven laughs;
the Lord scoffs at them.
5 He rebukes them in his anger
and terrifies them in his wrath, saying,
6 “I have installed my king
on Zion, my holy mountain.”
7 I will proclaim the Lord’s decree:
He said to me, “You are my son;
today I have become your father.
8 Ask me,
and I will make the nations your inheritance,
the ends of the earth your possession.
9 You will break them with a rod of iron;
you will dash them to pieces like pottery.”
10 Therefore, you kings, be wise;
be warned, you rulers of the earth.
11 Serve the Lord with fear
and celebrate his rule with trembling.
12 Kiss his son, or he will be angry
and your way will lead to your destruction,
for his wrath can flare up in a moment.
Blessed are all who take refuge in him.
The New International Version (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2011), Ps 2:1–12.
Theme: Power of God, rebellion of man
Best Verse: 12, "Kiss his son or he will be angry and you r way will lead to your destruction, for his wrath can flare up in a moment, Blessed are all who take refuge in him."
Command: Kiss his son!
Sin: None.
Promise: Destruction or blessing!
Application: Obey Jesus as Lord!
Something New About God: Loving Jesus is obeying him.
Reflection: In the Chosen season 1, Nicodemus quotes Psalm 2:12 at the end of his visit with Jesus. He does not say it in the Gospel of John, but the image of Nicodemous down on his knees kissing Jesus' hand beautifully shows the Kingship or Lordship context of Psalm 2. To love Jesus is to obey him, and to obey him I must first know his world. I. must do quiet time every morning at 5 am, praying, reading the Bible and journaling about it. Then I must apply what I've read to my life for James writes "Do not merely listen to the word and so deceive yourself. Do what it says." (James 1:22).
Travel Log: Mammoth Cave National Park
I'm writing this devotional again from Mammoth Cave National Park, in the campground. There is a group of four - six squirrels actually fighting in the trees. They fell a couple of times, catching themselves as they crashed through the branches. That's pretty rough play or mating to throw your buddy of the tree. I grew up on the east coast with cicadas and I just missed them here. On one hike they wre very loud and their shells are all over the place. This is a great park for riding a bike - they converted the old railroad line into a bike and hike trail.
