The world is angry. One country attacks another. One religious movement is filled with rage for those not like them. One political leader wants more power than he has. Anger shapes of the dangers of our world, both foreign and domestic.
However, there is a root cause to this anger that cannot be addressed by diplomacy, state departments and congress. This anger is directed at God and his rule over this planet and the hearts of people.
In Psalm 2, the Holy Spirit asks the question and then gives us the answer:
Why are the nations so angry?
Why do they waste their time with futile plans?
The kings of the earth prepare for battle;
the rulers plot together against the Lord
and against his anointed one…
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.
The anger that was first directed at the kings of Israel, then against Christ, the messianic king, continues to be focused on the rule and authority of God. Man craves autonomy. From the public square to the battle field ruthless leaders seek to throw off the power and rule of God and exchange it for their angry desires. As we have seen, these desires demand blood.
It is not possible to compromise with those driven by hatred of the rule of God. These rulers of earth will only be stopped by the power of the sword or the power of the gospel. Governments will decide who has the bigger sword. But it is the church that wields the power of the gospel.
Make no mistake, God is committed to victory! The anger of those who rage is a colossal waste of time. Our great God and his triumphant Son sit in heaven and laugh. The efforts of angry humans will not thwart the plan of God.
As Paul tells his listeners in Acts, this is God’s world, it is from him that all peoples in all nations know the blessing of rain or the pain of drought. God is the is one who brings food, the next breath and even joy to this world. God determines the exact habitation of each human (Acts 14:8-18, 17:24-28).
Governments set foreign and domestic policy. They ignore the rule of God to their own peril. There is no bargaining with those whose ultimate enemy is God.
Do not be overcome by the loud and angry rebellion of people who are taking on the rule of God. Pray for courage for our political leaders and pray for the power of the gospel to turn angry hearts into repentant ones. As Paul told the political leaders at Mars Hill, God is not far from each of us. May our world yet reach out for him!