Lessons for Life with James Long, Jr.
Are you longing to find answers to the deeper issues of life? Join James, a pastor, counselor, and university professor with over 30 years of experience. Hear James as he tackles some of life's biggest questions and helps us find God's solutions to life's struggles. Learn the power of living by God's grace and for His glory. Experience the joy of forgiveness and freedom found in Jesus Christ alone. If you are on a search for freedom, you will love being part of this conversation. Subscribe, and enjoy the show!
Lessons for Life with James Long, Jr.
The Reign of Christ in a Rebellious World: Hope from Psalm 2
Episode Title: The Reigning King: Finding Refuge When the Nations Rage (Psalm 2)
Episode Summary
In this episode of Counseling Through the Psalms, James Long, Jr. walks us through Psalm 2, a powerful reminder that even when the world feels out of control, God is not. Nations may rage, people may rebel, and anxiety may rise, but Psalm 2 anchors us in the reality that Christ reigns.
Discover how this psalm offers clarity for the confused, peace for the anxious, and a call to repentance for the rebellious. Whether you are facing political unrest or personal turmoil, Psalm 2 points you to the safety found only in the Son.
Key Takeaways
- The world’s unrest is rooted in rebellion against God’s authority.
- God is not alarmed—He has already installed His King.
- Christ is the rightful heir of all nations, offering both judgment and mercy.
- Refuge is not found in self-rule but in submission to Christ’s reign.
- Psalm 2 teaches us to respond with reverent joy and holy surrender.
Scripture Focus
- Psalm 2:1–12
- Acts 13:33
- Hebrews 1:5
- Revelation 19:15
- Romans 8:1
- 2 Peter 3:9
Resources & Links
- Full Blog Article: Read it here
- Join the Community: https://jameslongjr.org/signupnow
- Free Access to our Community: jameslongjr.org/community
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ABOUT JAMES AND LESSONS FOR LIFE
Are you longing to find answers to the deeper issues of life? Join Dr. James Long, Jr., a pastor, counselor, and university professor with over 30 years of experience. Hear James as he tackles some of life’s biggest questions and helps us find God’s solutions to life’s struggles. Learn the power of living by God’s grace and for His glory. Experience the joy of forgiveness and freedom found in Jesus Christ alone. If you are in search of freedom, you will love being part of this conversation. Subscribe, and enjoy the show!
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Well, welcome back to Lessons for Life with James Long Jr. We are in Counseling Through the Psalms. Do me a favor grab your Bible and a journal and we're gonna jump into Psalm 2 this morning. Psalm 2 addresses the unrest and rebellion in the world by directing our hearts to the sovereign reign of Christ. In a world filled with anxiety, opposition and uncertainty, this psalm offers deep assurance. Not that God is panicked because he's not. He's installed his king and the blessings come to those who take refuge in him.
Speaker 1:The revolt of the nations when the world feels out of control. Psalm 2 opens with a scene that feels all too familiar Nations rage, people's plot and leaders conspire. It says in verse 1, why do the nations rage and the people's plot in vain? These aren't hypothetical scenarios. These are the headlines of our lives. We see the rebellion in government institutions, family and even in our own heart.
Speaker 1:Rebellion against God is not new and neither is anxiety that it brings. The psalmist exposes the spiritual roots of this chaos a resistance of divine authority. Kings of the earth set themselves and rulers take counsel together, saying Let us burst their bonds apart and cast away their cords from us. Humanity resents the limits and demands of God's kingship. God's truth is seen not as life-giving but as restraining, not as grace but as bondage. In the counseling context, these rebellions manifest in personal ways. We want to be autonomous. We resist the idea that we should submit to anyone but ourselves. We redefine right and wrong. The result Inner turmoil, emotional exhaustion, a sense of being unmoored. Whether we realize it or not, the peace that we seek cannot be found apart from the rule of Christ. The response of the sovereign God is not alarmed. The response of the sovereign God is not alarmed, in contrast to the frantic plot of the world.
Speaker 1:Verse 4 shows us that heaven's perspective is different. He who sits in heaven laughs. The Lord holds them in derision. This is not mockery, but majesty. God is not intimidated by rebellion. He is enthroned, unmoved, unimpressed by the shaking fist of humanity. What follows is both a warning and a comfort. God speaks in wrath and terrifies the rebels with His declaration. As for me, I have set my king on Zion, my holy hill.
Speaker 1:Verse 6. This is the turning point of the psalm. While the nation's rage, god has already acted. His king is already enthroned. In our modern chaos, when culture rejects God's ways, when institutions crumble, when fear seems louder than faith, this verse anchors us. God's plan has not been disrupted. His King reigns. We are not victims of history spiraling out of control. We are witnesses to the unfolding of God's redemptive purposes. This is especially vital in the counseling room For the person overwhelmed by anxiety about the world or the future.
Speaker 1:Psalm 2 reminds us God is not wringing His hands. He has installed Christ as the King and he is not finished yet. The reign of the Son, christ will reclaim what is His. Verses 7-9 offers a majestic unveiling of the Son's authority. The Father says you are my Son. Today I have begotten you. Ask of me and I will make the nations your heritage Verses 7-8. Now these verses echo the New Testament in Acts 13, 13, verse 33 and Hebrews, chapter 1, verse 5. And it points to Jesus, the rightful heir of all creation. This is not a political ruler or a cultural influencer. This is the eternal son given dominion over the ends of the earth.
Speaker 1:The psalm promises both mercy and judgment. Look what it says in verse 9. You shall break them with the rod of iron and dash them into pieces like the potter's vessel. For those who persist in rebellion, judgment is sure, but for those who submit, there is grace. The balance is crucial. Many people today struggle with fear either of a chaotic world or of a harsh God.
Speaker 1:Psalm 2 gives the full picture. God is holy, christ is king. Judgment is real, but so is mercy. The cross of Christ is where justice and grace kiss. He bore the rod so that the rebels might become sons and daughters. The revelation to the wise run towards the king, not away.
Speaker 1:The psalm ends with this gracious call to wisdom. It says in verse 10, now therefore, o kings, be wise, be warned, o rulers of the earth. God's judgment is not impulsive, it's patient, proceeded by a warning and an invitation. Verse 11 says Serve the Lord with fear and rejoice with trembling. This is the paradox of grace reverent joy, holy fear, trembling delight. But verse 12 is the heart of Psalm 2's pastoral power. It says this kiss the son, lest he be angry and you perish in your way. And then, a little bit later, it says blessed are those who take refuge in him. This is the final word. Not wrath, but refuge in christ, the rifled king. Rebels can find mercy, sinners can find safety. Those who are anxious, guilty, bitter or fearful are invited to come and bow, not not under condemnation, but into peace. Kiss the sun. This is an act of submission, yes, but it's also affection and loyalty and trust. The same king who will judge is the savior who offers us shelter. Amazingly, in the face of global instability and personal unrest, the safest place is not self-reliance, but it's found in surrender.
Speaker 1:Now here are some of the doctrinal insights. We see sovereignty, god's rule over the nations, his plan, his people. We see that in Psalm 2, verses 4 through 6. No rebellion thwarts His purpose. We see the kingship of Christ Jesus is the appointed son king, enthroned by the Father, given dominion over all. We saw that in Hebrews 1.5. And you could look up Revelation 19.15 as well. Then we see judgment and mercy. God warns of judgment but invites repentance. Grace is extended before wrath is poured out. We see that in 2 Peter 3.9. And then, finally, we see a doctrinal idea of true refuge that safety and blessing are found not in self-rule but in taking refuge in the Son. We saw that in verse 12 of Psalm 2, but we also see that in Romans 8, verse 1.
Speaker 1:One of my favorite passages in all of Scripture. There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are Christ Jesus. So let's look at some practical theology. Let's try to put this into practice Now in counseling and discipleship.
Speaker 1:Psalm 2 offers profound guidance. For those that are battling with fear of the future, it anchors them in God's unshakable sovereignty. For those that are caught in rebellion or resistance to authority, it reveals the foolishness of self-rule and the peace of surrender. For those who are confused or are skeptical, it reminds them that history is not random. Christ is reigning and he is calling Now. In the church it fosters both reverent worship and courageous witness. We do not need to fear cultural hostility. We serve the reigning King and in family life. It teaches children not just about submission to authority but the beauty of honoring Christ as king. The nations rage, but Christ reigns, and for those that take refuge in him, they will never be shaken.
Speaker 1:So let's think about how you can reflect and respond upon this, and let me just give you six questions to consider. First, where do you see rebellion against God's authority, both in our world and in your own heart? Really, take some time to think through that. How does God's laughter at the nation's rebellion change your perspective on the current events, seeing God as king and sovereign and not the nations raging around us? God is king and sovereign and not the nations raging around us? 3. What fears or anxieties do you need to surrender to the reality of Christ's reign? 4. In what ways are you tempted to find refuge in your own strength rather than in the Son? 5. How would your daily mindset change if you lived with deeper awareness that Christ is already enthroned? And how about number six?
Speaker 1:Who in your life needs to hear the warning and the invitation of Psalm 2?
Speaker 1:And how can you share it with both courage and compassion? Well, let's pray. Lord Jesus, you are the true and rightful king established by the Father and reigning from heaven. Forgive me for the times where I've resisted your rule or trusted in earthly powers more than your sovereign hand. Teach me to serve you with reverent joy and to find refuge in you alone.
Speaker 1:As the nations rage and as fear rises, remind me that you are not shaken Because I am hidden in you. I will not be shaken either. Rule in my heart as you rule over this world, and may I proclaim your kingship in faith, humility and love In your name, amen. So if the chaos of this world or the weight of your rebellion has left you anxious, fearful or disconnected, psalm 2 offers clarity and comfort. Let us walk with you as you learn to take refuge in the Son. Join our free level of the Lessons for Life community at communityjameslongjrorg for devotionals, meetups and training that will help you walk in faith, or explore one of our full memberships at jameslongjrorg slash. Sign up now for deeper coaching and content designed to help you grow emotionally, relationally and spiritually. Your refuge is not found in control, but in the King who already reigns. Be blessed everyone. See you next time.
