The Reign of Christ in a Rebellious World: Hope from Psalm 2

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Episode Title: The Reigning King: Finding Refuge When the Nations Rage (Psalm 2)

Episode Summary

In this episode of Counseling Through the Psalms, James Long, Jr. walks us through Psalm 2, a powerful reminder that even when the world feels out of control, God is not. Nations may rage, people may rebel, and anxiety may rise, but Psalm 2 anchors us in the reality that Christ reigns.

Discover how this psalm offers clarity for the confused, peace for the anxious, and a call to repentance for the rebellious. Whether you are facing political unrest or personal turmoil, Psalm 2 points you to the safety found only in the Son.

Key Takeaways

• The world’s unrest is rooted in rebellion against God’s authority.
• God is not alarmed—He has already installed His King.
• Christ is the rightful heir of all nations, offering both judgment and mercy.
• Refuge is not found in self-rule but in submission to Christ’s reign.
• Psalm 2 teaches us to respond with reverent joy and holy surrender.

Scripture Focus

• Psalm 2:1–12
• Acts 13:33
• Hebrews 1:5
• Revelation 19:15
• Romans 8:1
• 2 Peter 3:9

Resources & Links

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• Free Access to our Community: jameslongjr.org/community

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ABOUT JAMES AND LESSONS FOR LIFE

Are you longing to find answers to the deeper issues of life? Join Dr. James Long, Jr., a pastor, counselor, and university professor with over 30 years of experience. Hear James as he tackles some of life’s biggest questions and helps us find God’s solutions to life’s struggles. Learn the power of living by God’s grace and for His glory. Experience the joy of forgiveness and freedom found in Jesus Christ alone. If you are in search of freedom, you will love being part of this conversation. Subscribe, and enjoy the show!

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
Well, welcome back to Lessons for Life with James
Long Jr.
We are in Counseling Throughthe Psalms.
Do me a favor grab your Bibleand a journal and we're gonna
jump into Psalm 2 this morning.
Psalm 2 addresses the unrestand rebellion in the world by
directing our hearts to thesovereign reign of Christ.
In a world filled with anxiety,opposition and uncertainty,

(00:22):
this psalm offers deep assurance.
Not that God is panickedbecause he's not.
He's installed his king and theblessings come to those who
take refuge in him.
The revolt of the nations whenthe world feels out of control.
Psalm 2 opens with a scene thatfeels all too familiar Nations
rage, people's plot and leadersconspire.

(00:45):
It says in verse 1, why do thenations rage and the people's
plot in vain?
These aren't hypotheticalscenarios.
These are the headlines of ourlives.
We see the rebellion ingovernment institutions, family
and even in our own heart.
Rebellion against God is not newand neither is anxiety that it

(01:06):
brings.
The psalmist exposes thespiritual roots of this chaos a
resistance of divine authority.
Kings of the earth setthemselves and rulers take
counsel together, saying Let usburst their bonds apart and cast
away their cords from us.
Humanity resents the limits anddemands of God's kingship.
God's truth is seen not aslife-giving but as restraining,

(01:30):
not as grace but as bondage.
In the counseling context,these rebellions manifest in
personal ways.
We want to be autonomous.
We resist the idea that weshould submit to anyone but
ourselves.
We redefine right and wrong.
The result Inner turmoil,emotional exhaustion, a sense of

(01:52):
being unmoored.
Whether we realize it or not,the peace that we seek cannot be
found apart from the rule ofChrist.
The response of the sovereignGod is not alarmed.
The response of the sovereignGod is not alarmed, in contrast
to the frantic plot of the world.

(02:15):
Verse 4 shows us that heaven'sperspective is different.
He who sits in heaven laughs.
The Lord holds them in derision.
This is not mockery, butmajesty.
God is not intimidated byrebellion.
He is enthroned, unmoved,unimpressed by the shaking fist
of humanity.
What follows is both a warningand a comfort.
God speaks in wrath andterrifies the rebels with His

(02:37):
declaration.
As for me, I have set my kingon Zion, my holy hill.
Verse 6.
This is the turning point ofthe psalm.
While the nation's rage, godhas already acted.
His king is already enthroned.
In our modern chaos, whenculture rejects God's ways, when

(02:57):
institutions crumble, when fearseems louder than faith, this
verse anchors us.
God's plan has not beendisrupted.
His King reigns.
We are not victims of historyspiraling out of control.
We are witnesses to theunfolding of God's redemptive
purposes.
This is especially vital in thecounseling room For the person

(03:20):
overwhelmed by anxiety about theworld or the future.
Psalm 2 reminds us God is notwringing His hands.
He has installed Christ as theKing and he is not finished yet.
The reign of the Son, christwill reclaim what is His.
Verses 7-9 offers a majesticunveiling of the Son's authority

(03:42):
.
The Father says you are my Son.
Today I have begotten you.
Ask of me and I will make thenations your heritage Verses 7-8
.
Now these verses echo the NewTestament in Acts 13, 13, verse
33 and Hebrews, chapter 1, verse5.
And it points to Jesus, therightful heir of all creation.

(04:04):
This is not a political ruleror a cultural influencer.
This is the eternal son givendominion over the ends of the
earth.
The psalm promises both mercyand judgment.
Look what it says in verse 9.
You shall break them with therod of iron and dash them into
pieces like the potter's vessel.
For those who persist inrebellion, judgment is sure, but

(04:28):
for those who submit, there isgrace.
The balance is crucial.
Many people today struggle withfear either of a chaotic world
or of a harsh God.
Psalm 2 gives the full picture.
God is holy, christ is king.
Judgment is real, but so ismercy.
The cross of Christ is wherejustice and grace kiss.

(04:50):
He bore the rod so that therebels might become sons and
daughters.
The revelation to the wise runtowards the king, not away.
The psalm ends with thisgracious call to wisdom.
It says in verse 10, nowtherefore, o kings, be wise, be
warned, o rulers of the earth.
God's judgment is not impulsive, it's patient, proceeded by a

(05:13):
warning and an invitation.
Verse 11 says Serve the Lordwith fear and rejoice with
trembling.
This is the paradox of gracereverent joy, holy fear,
trembling delight.
But verse 12 is the heart ofPsalm 2's pastoral power.
It says this kiss the son, lesthe be angry and you perish in

(05:37):
your way.
And then, a little bit later,it says blessed are those who
take refuge in him.
This is the final word.
Not wrath, but refuge in christ, the rifled king.
Rebels can find mercy, sinnerscan find safety.
Those who are anxious, guilty,bitter or fearful are invited to
come and bow, not not undercondemnation, but into peace.

(05:59):
Kiss the sun.
This is an act of submission,yes, but it's also affection and
loyalty and trust.
The same king who will judge isthe savior who offers us
shelter.
Amazingly, in the face ofglobal instability and personal
unrest, the safest place is notself-reliance, but it's found in

(06:22):
surrender.
Now here are some of thedoctrinal insights.
We see sovereignty, god's ruleover the nations, his plan, his
people.
We see that in Psalm 2, verses4 through 6.
No rebellion thwarts Hispurpose.
We see the kingship of ChristJesus is the appointed son king,
enthroned by the Father, givendominion over all.

(06:43):
We saw that in Hebrews 1.5.
And you could look upRevelation 19.15 as well.
Then we see judgment and mercy.
God warns of judgment butinvites repentance.
Grace is extended before wrathis poured out.
We see that in 2 Peter 3.9.
And then, finally, we see adoctrinal idea of true refuge

(07:08):
that safety and blessing arefound not in self-rule but in
taking refuge in the Son.
We saw that in verse 12 ofPsalm 2, but we also see that in
Romans 8, verse 1.
One of my favorite passages inall of Scripture.
There is therefore now nocondemnation for those who are
Christ Jesus.
So let's look at some practicaltheology.
Let's try to put this intopractice Now in counseling and

(07:31):
discipleship.
Psalm 2 offers profound guidance.
For those that are battlingwith fear of the future, it
anchors them in God's unshakablesovereignty.
For those that are caught inrebellion or resistance to
authority, it reveals thefoolishness of self-rule and the
peace of surrender.
For those who are confused orare skeptical, it reminds them

(07:53):
that history is not random.
Christ is reigning and he iscalling Now.
In the church it fosters bothreverent worship and courageous
witness.
We do not need to fear culturalhostility.
We serve the reigning King andin family life.
It teaches children not justabout submission to authority
but the beauty of honoringChrist as king.

(08:15):
The nations rage, but Christreigns, and for those that take
refuge in him, they will neverbe shaken.
So let's think about how you canreflect and respond upon this,
and let me just give you sixquestions to consider.
First, where do you seerebellion against God's
authority, both in our world andin your own heart?

(08:36):
Really, take some time to thinkthrough that.
How does God's laughter at thenation's rebellion change your
perspective on the currentevents, seeing God as king and
sovereign and not the nationsraging around us?
God is king and sovereign andnot the nations raging around us
?
3.

(08:58):
What fears or anxieties do youneed to surrender to the reality
of Christ's reign?
4.
In what ways are you tempted tofind refuge in your own
strength rather than in the Son?
5.
How would your daily mindsetchange if you lived with deeper
awareness that Christ is alreadyenthroned?
And how about number six?
Who in your life needs to hearthe warning and the invitation

(09:20):
of Psalm 2?
And how can you share it withboth courage and compassion?
Well, let's pray.
Lord Jesus, you are the trueand rightful king established by
the Father and reigning fromheaven.
Forgive me for the times whereI've resisted your rule or
trusted in earthly powers morethan your sovereign hand.
Teach me to serve you withreverent joy and to find refuge

(09:44):
in you alone.
As the nations rage and as fearrises, remind me that you are
not shaken Because I am hiddenin you.
I will not be shaken either.
Rule in my heart as you ruleover this world, and may I
proclaim your kingship in faith,humility and love In your name,

(10:04):
amen.
So if the chaos of this worldor the weight of your rebellion
has left you anxious, fearful ordisconnected, psalm 2 offers
clarity and comfort.
Let us walk with you as youlearn to take refuge in the Son.
Join our free level of theLessons for Life community at
communityjameslongjrorg fordevotionals, meetups and

(10:30):
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full memberships atjameslongjrorg slash.
Sign up now for deeper coachingand content designed to help
you grow emotionally,relationally and spiritually.
Your refuge is not found incontrol, but in the King who

(10:52):
already reigns.
Be blessed everyone.
See you next time.