“Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord, and against His anointed” (Psalm 2:1, 2).

Men are always ready to conspire against God. They think of Him as being like themselves – as One Whom they can oppose, and as One Whose authority they can reject. To us, as we think of God as the glorious King of all the world, opposition to Him seems to be the worst folly! What can puny man do to resist God’s power, or to interfere with His sway? Yet evermore does heaven behold the spectacle described in the opening of this Psalm: “Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing?”

There are two possible meanings in this “Why?” It may suggest the folly of such opposition. Or it may indicate the enormity of it. It does seem strange that the world hates God so much. What has He ever done to hurt anyone? If He were a cruel despot, like many of earth’s own kings, it would not be strange if men hated Him. If He were a Nero, a Caligula, a Diocletian, or a Napoleon, it would not be surprising if the nations dreaded Him and His name aroused rage.

But never was there any other King so gentle and so loving! The prophet foretold the reign of the Messiah as being most kindly and gracious. He would not break a bruised reed. He would not lift up His voice in the street. He would not strive nor cry. He does not come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them. His reign is one of love. A glance over the pages of the Gospels will show us how He fulfilled the Messianic prediction. He went about doing good, healing all manner of sickness, and comforting sorrow. The work of Christ in this world is mapped out in these words of the prophet Isaiah: “To bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn; To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness!”

How sad it is that the world does not love our King! He is the King of love and gentleness. He does not come to serve Himself by exacting from us as much as possible. Rather, He came to bind up the broken-hearted, and to give us beauty for our ashes! Take a moment to praise His name today! And don’t forget to remind someone else – a family member, friend, coworker, or even the cashier at the grocery store – of the love that our gentle King pours out so lavishly upon us!

Please don’t hesitate to share your thoughts on this article! Feel free to leave your reflections and ask your questions in the Comments section below.

God bless you and your family, this day and always.

All for the King’s glory,

Christian

photo by Pamela Maxwell on Lightstock.com

This post is another installment of Miller’s Monday Musings, a weekly series that is published every Monday on our website. The series features selected writings that have been adapted from the works of James Russell Miller (1840-1912), a much-beloved Christian author and pastor who is well-remembered for his practical thoughts on Christian home and family life. Learn more about this weekly series by clicking here.