Folly In High Places

     “Why do the nations rage and the people 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.” Psalm 2:1-3

     “Absolute power corrupts absolutely.” I’m not sure who first said those words but I do know that when humans are handed the reigns of authority, particularly authority to govern and punish a large group of people, things do seem to tend in the direction of corruption rather than righteousness. In that respect things have changed little from the time of the psalmist to our day and age.

     It would do us all well to keep in mind that setting oneself against the stated will of God is the very height of corruption. Thus, when the rulers and lawmakers of our day, many of whom delight in speaking of their “faith” and how God and His will shapes their decisions, institute laws and dictates that are contradictory or opposed to the revealed will of God they are in essence saying, “Let us burst their bonds apart and cast away their cords from us.”

     As an example of what I am speaking of consider the laws concerning the marriage of homosexuals. By the time my children graduate high school, I would not be in the least surprised were the “lawful marriage” of those who have chosen the path of homosexuality accepted in most, if not all, states. Many praise lawmakers who fight for these marriages as forward thinking, open-minded, and even godly. Sadly, godly is one thing they are certainly not for God’s will in the matter is quite clear (1 Corinthians 6:9-11).

     Our duty to those who rule over us is clear from Scripture (Romans 13:1-7; 1 Peter 2:13-15). It is God’s will that His children be in subjection to governing authorities for the principle of government was created and established by God Himself (John 19:10-11). However, when any human ruler, whether it be a single person or a body of people, steps across the line and begins to rage against the revealed will of God, you and I have a duty in that instance as well. It is a duty best explained by Peter in Acts 5:29: “We must obey God rather than men.”

Planted and Fruitful

     “He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does he prospers.” Psalm 1:3

     My grandfather had several small ponds on his farm. I recall one in particular that never went dry in all of the years he owned that property. That pond weathered several droughts without any difficulty. I remember more than once looking out over those dusty fields, my grandfather praying desperately for rain, and our eyes constantly being drawn to that small circle of bright green in the back left corner of his field. Often it was like an oasis in the desert. While everything else withered away, the plants and trees on the banks of that small pond flourished because their water source, their source of life, never went dry.

     A Christian can enjoy a life every bit as abundant and vigorous, yet they too must remain at the side of their life source. We face days when the heat of trial and difficulty hammers down upon us. We face days when we begin to wilt under strain and stress much like a plant under harsh conditions. I think of Paul’s words from 2 Corinthians 4:8-9. “We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed.”

     Paul never despaired because he was never forsaken. His feet, mind, and soul were planted firmly at the side of his Savior. Because of that he was able to receive exactly what he needed to survive, even thrive, under whatever condition he happened to be facing.

     Nothing is different for the faithful child of God today. Neither our source of life or daily guidance is to be found in the opinions of men. We are not forced to rely upon our own devices as we traverse a treacherous and often perilous spiritual landscape. Rather, the One who died for us is also blessing us (Ephesians 1:3). Those who cling to Him and find their delight in His Word (Psalm 1:2) find themselves planted on the banks of a stream overflowing with pure, refreshing spiritual water. They find that regardless of the situation, they possess the precise spiritual fruit they need to overcome. It’s all due to their faithfulness to He who is always faithful. So, where are you planted?

Where Do You Belong?

     “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on His law he meditates day and night.” Psalm 1:1-2

     Everyone wants to feel as though they are accepted somewhere. One’s life would be sad indeed if they never felt as though they were part of anything, as though they never belonged. Yet the first verse of the first psalm warns us that there is a group we would do very well not to become too comfortable with—habitual sinners. 

     Sadly, wicked people are everywhere. We go to school with them, work with them, shop with them, fill our gas tanks with them, eat at restaurants with them, watch them on television, see them in movies, and hear them on the radio. It has been like this almost from the very beginning. God is not going to take His people out of the world in which they live (John 17:15). Rather, He asks His people to work hard at leading wickedness to righteousness, leading lost souls to the One who can make them saved souls (Matthew 28:18-20). Yet it is not only righteousness attempting to influence wickedness. The roles have often been reversed to the detriment of those who were once faithful.

     Someone said that the progression of Psalm 1:1 is that of thinking, behaving, and belonging. Let me encourage you never to take the first step on to the road leading away from God and toward Satan. Let me encourage you never to seek acceptance, to seek belonging, from those whose actions alienate them from God. Simply put, the child of God does not belong with the wicked.

     Instead, he finds his focus and His delight in the law of God. Not only that, he finds that his mind is too filled with meditations of heaven to allow entry to base, worthless thoughts that can prevent his ultimate goal.

     So, where do you belong? Jesus answers, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30). What a wonderful answer it is!