God Is Our Strength and Refuge: Finding True Security and Peace in His Rule
- Jack Selcher
- Aug 21
- 2 min read
Updated: Sep 15
When I was around eight, my father was about to punish me. Before he could, I ran out of the house and sought refuge in the nearby woods.
About thirty minutes later, I returned to the house. It was almost empty because everyone was looking for me.
My father was so glad to see me that he forgot about the punishment. In a small way, I had rebelled and gotten away with it. By contrast, no one gets away with steadfast rebellion against God’s rule.
The tone of Psalm 2 is astonishment at the senseless, arrogant rejection of God’s king and rule. The Gentiles and Israel had all they could take of the Lord and the agents who rule in His name and place.
They were the Israelite kings and ultimately, the Messiah. Acts 4:25-28 sees Calvary predicted here. Herod and Pilate fulfilled the roles of kings and rulers.
We naturally rebel against restraint. God’s ways seem burdensome and confining.
We resist letting the Holy Spirit live through us. We try to serve God in our strength and discover it is burdensome.
But the testimony of scripture and Spirit-controlled Christians is that submitting to God’s ways truly satisfies. Its starting point is humbly acknowledging that we do not know what is best for us, and God does.
In Psalm 2:4-6, the setting shifts from Earth to the One with the final word. He laughs at rebellious sinners. He mocks those who mock His rule and His ruler.
Their arrogance stirs up His just and rational wrath. He will overrule their petty plots against Him.
His choice of Jerusalem and the Davidic house is eternal (2 Samuel 7:14-16). The King is in David’s line.
He is the Lord’s “son,” His “first-born,” His “anointed.” The initial fulfillment is in the kings in David’s line and ultimately in His Son.
The Son’s inheritance consists of all people groups. The ends of the earth are His possession.
The Great Commission emphasizes making disciples of all people groups on earth (Matthew 28:19-20).
The Son will rule with iron discipline. He will overthrow the steadfastly rebellious.
The invitation is for rebels to turn from their rebellion and submit to God and His anointed. Neglecting that invitation is utterly foolish.
Kissing the Son means paying homage to Him—those who refuse risk an outpouring of His anger and eternal destruction.
There is no refuge from Him—only in Him. Those who seek protection and flee to Him for it are blessed. What is your takeaway?
See additional free spiritual growth resources for Christians.
God has empowered me to write His Power for Your Weakness—260 Steps Toward Spiritual Strength. It’s a free, evangelistic, devotional, and discipleship e-book. Pastors have used it in Malawi, Mozambique, and Zambia to lead 6,090 people to Christ and teach the basics of Christianity to 15,150 people. I invite you to explore and use it in your setting.
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