See How Big and Fierce I Am?

            Why do the nations conspire and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth rise up and the rulers band together against the Lord and against his anointed, saying, “Let us break their chains and throw off their shackles.”

          The One enthroned in heaven laughs; the Lord scoffs at them. He rebukes them in his anger and terrifies them in his wrath, saying, “I have installed my king on Zion, my holy mountain.”

          I will proclaim the Lord’s decree: He said to me, “You are my son; today I have become your father. Ask me, and I will make the nations your inheritance, the ends of the earth your possession. You will break them with a rod of iron; you will dash them to pieces like pottery.”

          Therefore, you kings, be wise; be warned, you rulers of the earth. Serve the Lord with fear and celebrate his rule with trembling. Kiss his son, or he will be angry and your way will lead to your destruction, for his wrath can flare up in a moment. Blessed are all who take refuge in him. (Psalm 2)

 

          Many years ago while I was riding my bike, I came down a hill and around a corner, and surprised a wood chuck. Following instinct, he did a “see how big and fierce I am?” routine. He sat up and raised his claws. By the time I realized what he was doing, I was rounding another corner. I laughed. I didn’t mean any disrespect to the gopher, it’s just the idea that he was going to do me any harm, especially as fast as I was going was funny. Granted, they can probably run fast enough to have given me a race, but the threat was not sufficient.

          I think of the ground hog when I read about the nations, the peoples, the kings, and the rulers who band together (which would certainly make them look bigger, fiercer, and more powerful) and rise up on their haunches at God, believing themselves impressive. Another picture comes to mind: the teen or adult palming the top of a child’s head as the child pushes against the hand and swings fist after fist with arms too short to connect with his target.

          Eventually, the play time needs to stop. The child needs to understand who is in control. There really isn’t a question or an option here. God is in control. The way He designed the universe to function is how it functions. Throwing a temper tantrum in the aisle of the cosmic grocery store isn’t going to change things. But we try.

          If we were wise, we would deal with reality as it is instead of demanding that it be as we want it to be. And if we did that, as we snuggled in close to reality and therefore, to God, we would find once again, that we are blessed by being permitted to be there, blessed to be there, and where we need to be to be blessed even more.