The Lord Laughs

The Lord Laughs Psalm 2:1-12NIV

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.

This psalm is normally termed ‘royal’ and has had a long history of messianic interpretation. Many times, it’s been viewed as ‘one’ with Psalm chapter 1. Although it has no title, it seems to bear the imprint of David’s hand. (Paul backs that up in Acts 4.)

Acts 4:25-26NLT ...you spoke long ago by the Holy Spirit through our ancestor David, your servant, saying,

‘Why were the nations so angry? Why did they waste their time with futile plans? 26 The kings of the earth prepared for battle; the rulers gathered together against the Lord and against his Messiah.

There’s 4 scenes to the mutiny of mankind against God. 1. Human rebellion. 2. Divine reaction. 3. Divine rule. 4. Human responsibility.

Psalm 2:1NLT Why are the nations so angry? Why do they waste their time with futile plans?

Human rebellion: Man’s depravity- devising, conspiring and scheming emptiness against God.

Casey Stengel lived from 1890 to 1975 and was a longtime major league baseball manager (particularly the New York Yankees).

Casey held a position on the board of directors for a California bank. Casey described his duties this way: "There ain’t nuthin’ to it. You go into the fancy meeting room and you just sit there and never open your yap. As long as you don’t say nuthin’ they don’t know whether you’re smart or dumb."

Proverbs 10:19NLT Too much talk leads to sin. Be sensible and keep your mouth shut.

Psalm 2:2NLT The kings of the earth prepare for battle; the rulers plot together against the Lord and against his anointed one.

Jumping ahead listen to Psalm 2:4-6TM Heaven-throned God breaks out laughing. At first he’s amused at their presumption;Then he gets good and angry. Furiously, he shuts them up: “Don’t you know there’s a King in Zion? A coronation banquet Is spread for him on the holy summit.”

Nations and people led by their kings bring direct hostility toward the Lord and His anointed one.

Proverbs 18:7NLT The mouths of fools are their ruin; they trap themselves with their lips.

ILL.- Henry Ferguson said, "If someone paid you dollar for every kind word you said about people, and you collected fifty cents for every unkind word, would you be rich or poor?"

Verse 2 again, Plotting against the Lord! (That’s funny!)

Psalm 2:3NLT “Let us break their chains,” they cry, “and free ourselves from slavery to God.”

The people didn’t understand that any bonds the Father (Daddy) has, are His love bonds! (The wicked view them as yoke bonds; holding them back from pleasure.)

The wicked, became defiant.

President George Bush (Bush #1) said once, "I do not like broccoli. I haven’t liked it since I was a little kid and my mother made me eat it. Now I’m president of the United States and I’m not going to eat any more broccoli..."

Defiance against God is a lot worse than defiance against Broccoli!

Psalm 2:4-5NLT But the one who rules in heaven laughs. The Lord scoffs at them. Then in anger he rebukes them, terrifying them with his fierce fury.

Divine reaction-The Lord disrespects and scorns the foolish- He laughs.

Psalm 37:13NLT But the Lord just laughs, for he sees their day of judgment coming.

Adolf Hitler. Saddam Hussein. Osama bin Laden. And a host of others. It is to these people that God laughs into jeer.

God says, "Have your way for a little while. But you will see. You are going to get a big surprise and then we will see who is in control!"

Brothers and sisters, God is still God. Never fear. Don’t worry. Don’t sweat the small stuff or even the big stuff. God is still on His throne and always will be! He is God! He can handle anything and everything! NOTHING IS TOO GREAT FOR GOD!