No Refuge from God: Only Refuge in Him

Summary

Psalm 2 exposes the foolishness of rebelling against God’s rule. Though humanity resists restraint, God laughs at rebellion and establishes His anointed King. The Son rules all nations and invites rebels to turn, submit, and find blessing. There is no refuge from God’s authority, only refuge in Him. Those who trust and honor the Son are protected, while persistent rebellion leads to judgment and loss.

A Childhood Escape That Points to a Deeper Truth

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.

Human 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.

God’s Unshakable Authority and King

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 Global Reign and Mission

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.

A Warning to 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.

No Refuge from God

There is no refuge from God—only in Him. Those who seek protection and flee to Him for it are blessed.

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