I Just can’t wait…
Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD and against his Anointed, saying, “Let us burst their bonds apart and cast away their cords from us.” He who sits in the heavens laughs; the Lord holds them in derision. Then he will speak to them in his wrath, and terrify them in his fury, saying, “As for me, I have set my King on Zion, my holy hill.” Psalms 2:1-6 ESV
When we say, “I just can’t wait” it’s often because of a positive sense of anticipation for something exciting. We look forward to Christmas, birthdays, reunions with loved ones, holidays, new toys, even new cars, with this expression of excitement. “I Just can’t wait”. Over the last few months though, we’ve become more accustomed to associating the phrase with a painful yearning for an end to the crazy times we’re in. Now it’s not excitement fuelling our impatience, it’s pain and anxiety.
The disciples of Jesus tell us that David recorded the Holy Spirit’s words in Psalm 2. They prayed these words together on an occasion of persecution even stranger than we find ourselves in. These words are perfectly suited to David’s situation, the disciples of Jesus circumstances, and our lives today..
David was anointed king of Israel in his late teens, and had to wait until he was 30 before he actually took the throne. He suffered great hardship in that interval with both his closest friends and his greatest enemies trying their best to kill him. The disciples of Jesus were being obedient and doing the work He trained them to do, and were being threatened with their lives for doing so. Both trusted that God’s plan had already been established, both had to patiently endure hardship as they waited for it to unfold.
God says “I have set my King on Zion My holy hill”. It’s done. On one level this refereed to David. He was set as King, nothing could stop it from happening - not all the nations with their plans and schemes could stop it. On another level it speaks of Jesus Christ the eternal King. His victory has been determined, nothing can prevent it.
We can take heart from this, knowing that what God decrees happens, and for whatever reason we find it hard to wait patiently for the outcome, we can wait confidently.
Prayer
Dear Father God, thank You that the plans, and power of all the world cannot change what You have already decided. Thank You that nothing could stop David from being King - because You said He would be. And Thank You that nothing will stop Jesus Christ our Lord from overcoming every enemy and taking His rightful place as King over all creation. Father God, please forgive our impatience and our fear and anxiety, You know that we are weak and that we need Your strength Lord God. Please comfort and encourage us, lift our heads and keep our eyes on Jesus, knowing that Your will, will be done. Please help us in our time of pain and struggle to keep doing what You have created and called us to do, to love, worship, honour and obey You, and to help and encourage others to do the same. In Jesus Name. Amen.
Worship
Bless the Lord O my soul O my soul
Worship His Holy name
Sing like never before O my soul
I’ll worship Your Holy name
The sun comes up It’s a new day dawning
It’s time to sing Your song again
Whatever may pass And whatever lies before me
Let me be singing When the evening comes
You’re rich in love And You’re slow to anger
Your name is great And Your heart is kind
For all Your goodness I will keep on singing
Ten thousand reasons For my heart to find
And on that day When my strength is failing
The end draws near And my time has come
Still my soul will Sing Your praise unending
Ten thousand years And then forevermore.
Service
One of the greatest gifts we can give to each other, especially in times of waiting and patient endurance, is encouragement. Pray for our Father to empower us to encourage those in pain with the encouragement we receive from Him as we love and worship Him in obedience. (2 Corinthians 1:4). Then look for the opportunities to speak positive and encouraging true words, and pray for those who are discouraged.