Why Do the Nations Rage?
Text: Psalm 2:1-12
“Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain?” — Psalm 2:1
Why so much rage in our world today? Why so much anger? Why the war, the pain, the destruction? Every maddening crisis in our world today can be traced back to one thing: People in a raging rebellion against God.
Oftentimes this rebellion is manifested through external aggression, physical violence, or outright war. Yet in more ways than not, that internal hostility toward God is manifested through more quiet and “sophisticated” measures. Many people in subtle rebellion against God attempt to make themselves feel better by fleshing out good works or advocating sociopolitical causes that will bring attention to themselves or give them a sense of purpose. Human beings have a wealth of different cunning garments in their wardrobe to cover up their heart’s inner fury against God.
The story we find ourselves in is that of a restless world always searching for answers apart from truth, narrative apart from facts, and peace in anything apart from God. It’s an epic fail over and over again.
In Psalm 2, the psalmist seems genuinely mystified that the world fights against God the way that it does: “Why do the nations rage and peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord and against his Anointed.” The word for ‘rage’ is used elsewhere to describe the roaring of the sea, tossed by restless waves, like the ocean in a storm. The raging in this passage isn’t temporary, like a storm that tosses the sea for a little while and then calms, it is a deep-seated hatred. That hatred rejects and opposes every decree of The Prince of Peace. In doing so, these nations forfeit their own peace.
What is noteworthy is that as this rage persists, the enemies of God take counsel together and unite in their hatred. It doesn’t dissolve on its own. It doesn’t carve out an individual path, but finds others to march alongside of, campaign with, and wave high the real or symbolic flags of protest in their collaborated defiance of King Jesus.
The nations have no good reason or benefit to rage against God, it’s just a matter of their hearts being hardened by sinful rebellion. While they dream and plan for a world of their own happiness, their pursuits are in vain because of their ignorance of God. God will judge their rebellion against Him, and His wrath will be fierce. But there is hope. The psalmist speaks of a deliverance that is echoed throughout the entire Bible. It culminates in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Jesus was the sinless Son of God, who stepped out of heaven, clothed himself in human garments to walk in his enemy’s shoes, take the sin of his enemies upon himself, and absorb—on behalf of his enemies—the wrath of God’s judgement.
I was that nation raging against God. You were, too. Anytime we pursue our own path apart from Him, it only leads to misery, shame, and lack of peace. But the moment we wave our white flag and surrender to Jesus, the sea of rage becomes calm. There is peace. There is always still that hostility in our flesh as its earthly desires want to tussle with the living Spirit of God abiding in us. Our human nature still wants to fight. The carnal still wants to rage in certain moments. But we must keep that white flag near, submitting to the reign of Jesus, because that surrender is the only path to peace.
If you find your heart hostile toward God right now, understand that it was a raging and rebellious people that Jesus came to rescue. He brought deliverance, joy, and peace to those who were once his enemies. He desperately wants that for you. You can wave your white flag right now in surrender to His Lordship over your life. His peace changes everything.
PRAYER
Heavenly Father, sin has left our hearts raging unjustly at you, though you have been a good and perfect Father. Our iniquities have caused us to be at enmity with you. But thank you for the salvation you have sent in Jesus. You promised that if we confess our sins and turn to Jesus, we will be forgiven and set free. Holy Spirit, help me to do that right now. Help me to wave my white flag and surrender, in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Questions for Personal Reflection or Group Discussion:
- When have you experienced rage?
- When you have rebelled against God, has it looked more like an external outcry, or a more subtle inner fury?
- At the end of Psalm 2, the writer said, “Blessed are all who take refuge in him.” In what ways has God been your refuge from the rage?
- What can this Psalm reveal about the character of God and the hope of mankind?
- Is there an inner fury, hostility, or rage trying to hijack your heart right now? How will you identify it and confess it to God?