SERMON MANUSCRIPT 

I want to confess something this morning: I’m a little annoyed. I’m annoyed at pollster robots calling and texting me. I’m annoyed by the threat of tariffs and economic panic. I’m annoyed by campaign promises, political theatre, gross attack ads, and moral posturing. I’m annoyed by partisan media, by know-it-all know-nothings, by prophets of doom, and by sowers of division. Do you know what I mean?

But, do you know what annoys me the most? Do you know what gets under my skin more than anything else and fills me with what I pray is a righteous annoyance? It’s when God’s people think, talk, and act like he’s not still on his throne. It’s when Christians are more likely to discuss the nightly news than the good news. It’s when the church is more zealous for political conversions than spiritual ones. It’s when those who claim to have hope live like those who have none.

So, I’ve annoyed myself a lot lately. My heart is fickle and foolish, short-sighted and earth-bound. And, assuming I’m not alone, I want to take a few minutes on the eve of our national election to let God remind us who’s ultimately in charge, what victory ultimately matters, and where our trust ultimately should lie. 

Turn to Psalm 2. It’s a familiar Psalm quoted often in the New Testament because of its obvious Messianic flavour.

REBELLION

Psalm 2 opens with rebellion. [2:1–3] The people of the world conspire, growl, mutter, and plot against God and “His anointed,” his Messiah. These pathetic tyrants “of the earth” (2:2) pit themselves against God “in the heavens” (2:4)—a mismatch of immeasurable proportions. 

The psalmist asks, “Why?” (2:1a). “Why are they so foolish?” Because the “nations,” “peoples,” “kings,” and “rulers” are all convinced that the Lord’s laws are a prison, and they come together to liberate themselves, “to cast their cords from us!”

This is what happened in the Garden of Eden, the Tower of Babel, the time of the judges, the exile of Israel, and the cross of Christ. That humanity thinks it’s smarter than God, oppressed by God, and better off without God is the song we’ve been singing for millennia. And it’s still being sung today. 

After North Korean weightlifter, Kim Un-guk, captured Olympic gold in 2012, he told reporters, “I won first place because the shining supreme commander Kim Jong Eun gave me power and courage.” That’s a nation “in an uproar,” set against “the Lord and his Anointed.”

Now—praise God—Canada is not North Korea. But ours is a nation in rebellion against God, isn’t it? It’s more of a “mission field” than a “holy nation,” that’s for sure. A 2019 census reported that only half of Canadians claim that their spiritual beliefs, whatever they are, are at least somewhat important to them. At the same time, the number of non-religious people has doubled in the past twenty years to 35%. 

We’re a nation in rebellion against God, filled with people in rebellion against God, who have arrogantly traded truth for lies, who pridefully worship the creation rather than the Creator, and who stubbornly love darkness instead of light. And, unless they have a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ, that includes our favourite politicians, commentators, intellectuals, podcasters, and personalities.

And, while an election may change some things, it will not change the most important thing. Only God-performed spiritual heart surgery can do that. Canada “in an uproar,” just like the nations in Psalm 2, convinced that God’s ways are oppressive and not freeing.

RESPONSE

And what’s God’s response to such rebellion? [2:4–6]  

The nations are mobilized. God is unmoved. Sinners “take their stand.” He remains seated. Powerful people plot. God is unworried. He “laughs,” “scoffs,” “speaks,” and “terrifies.” His dismissive disgust turns to contempt which leads to “anger” which brings his “fury,” a fury that declares the certain instalment of his King in Israel, his authoritative representative on earth. [Babysitter] 

Now, in Psalm 2, this king would have been David, but, as we’ll see and as the NT clarifies, the Son of David is the ultimate and climactic focus of this passage—Jesus Christ, the anointed and coming King. 

In verse 7, that King takes the microphone, adding his response to the rebellion. But all he does is quote God. It seems his job is to do the will of him who installed him. Doesn’t that sound familiar? [2:7–9] 

Sonship under God was a position granted to the davidic king but, for this particular “begotten” one, his jurisdiction will be far beyond the borders of Israel—it will be over all “nations” and to “the very ends of the earth.” God owns everything and everyone and he will give it all to his Anointed One, his all-authoritative Son, his all-powerful Regent. Rebels he will break. Insurrection he will “shatter … like earthenware.” 

So, does it seem like this heavenly duo is worried? Does it look like they’re wringing their hands as people attempt to “tear their fetter apart”? It’s like a bunch of ants who decide they don’t like the sun and have a plan to turn it off. Futile and foolish. It’s laughable.

No matter what happens tomorrow, God is still on his throne and his Anointed One, his only begotten Son, his Davidic King, Jesus Christ, is seated next to him. They’re not worried. They won’t be surprised. They will not be thwarted. 

And no matter what is happening in your life, no matter the doubts you have, the fear you feel, the bitterness you hold, the pain you endure, or the objections you level, God remains constant, good, loving, gracious, just, holy, and in control. 

RECOMMENDATION

So, we’ve seen the rebellion against God and the response of God. Let’s finish with a recommendation from God, and it’s this: seek refuge in the Lord!

Now, for those in rebellion, that means one thing: [2:10] “Think about what you’re doing, you ants.” Consider the silliness of your little tantrum. Judgement is coming. The Lord is on his throne and so is his King. You either submit now willing or in the future unwillingly.

Instead of rebellion, [2:11]. Stop biting at the divine hand that graciously feeds you, and start serving, rejoicing, and revering. Stop roaring, muttering, conspiring, and complain. Instead, [2:12a–c].

This is God’s recommendation to the rebels: seek refuge in the Lord! Think about how you’re living and who you’re against. Come to him, worship him, fear him, pay homage to him. If you don’t, when he comes you’ll experience his justice and holy fury. [Gospel]

Now, for those of us who already belong to God through faith in Christ, seeking refuge in the Lord means to act like it. Stop rebelling against him by failing to trust him, by failing to take him at his word, by failing to prioritize him. These aren’t acts of worship or of homage to the Son.

God is not telling us to detach from this world. Not at all. But he is reminding us that his kingdom is not of this world and that those who belong to him are sojourners, aliens, passing through this land. 

Let’s act like our passport is stamped. Let’s act like God the Father is still on his throne. Let’s act like God the Son is coming for us. Let’s act like God the Spirit is on the move. Let’s act like what our nation needs—like all nations—is spiritual revival. Let’s act like God can meet all our needs. Let’s act like we have hope and a sure foundation. 

Let’s act like we can seek refuge in the Lord tonight, by praying before we sleep, that God would care for our nation and its leaders according to his will. That God would give his people an eternal perspective and an unwavering trust in his power and goodness. And that, no matter what happens, that we would be a people who remember to whom we belong, and worship him with reverence, paying homage to the Son. 

  

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