No man likes to stand against odds, yet sometimes it is the only way. No man likes to face a greater power than himself, and especially when there are always the coattail hangers who will render lip service to anyone who seems to be top dog. It brings a bitterness to a man, and especially when he is right.”
–Louis L’Amour (Silver Canyon)
“Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm.”
–Ephesians 6:13 (NLT)
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People have sought to have their own way since the very beginning. They seek to be autonomous and overthrow God. That was the deception of Satan in the garden, “you shall be as God.” Rebellious humanity tries to tell God to move over or that He doesn’t exist at all.
“Why do the nations rebel and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers conspire together against the LORD and His Anointed One: ‘Let us tear off their chains and free ourselves from their restraints.'”
–Psalm 2:1-3 (HCSB)
I like the verse from the NLT, “Why do the nations rage? Why do the people waste their time with futile plans?” People, and that includes nations, do not want to be told what to do by a god. They do not want to be under His moral authority. The thought of the sovereignty of God makes their hackles raise and they begin to plot. Leaders, not only political and national, attempt to stand against God. It would be wise for us, especially in the election year to look closely at those who are running for office. Remember, leaders are also philosophers, physicists, teachers, and I’m afraid today, the media has attempted to take a leadership role along with entertainers.
Look at what this rebellion causes the Lord to do. First of all, it cause Him to laugh. This is one of three places in Scripture where it says that God laughs. (Ps 2:4; 37:13; 59:8) I have often heard people say that God has a sense of humor, but he is only recorded to laugh at these things. Man may be serious in his rebellion, but God only laughs. To Him it is but puny insubordination. The next three verses give a sequence to what God does when people rebel.
“The One enthroned in heaven laughs; the Lord ridicules them. Then He speaks to them in His anger and terrifies them in His wrath: ‘I have consecrated My King! on Zion, My holy mountain.'”
–Psalm 2:4-6 (HCSB)
Funny how people think they are in charge. They cry, “Where is God?” and mock and scorn. It would be a good idea to heed the words of Thomas Adams, “We should not judge God’s drama until the final act.” The second thing we should notice is that after God laughs He becomes angry. Rebellion makes God laugh then ignites His anger. The nations may rage, but now they will tremble at God’s anger. Following His anger there is wrath. Rebellion brings God to action. Woe unto those when God begins to bring His wrath upon the earth.
The Roman emperor, Diocletian had a goal to kill all the Christians. He declared himself the high god. This was the “Great Persecution”, the most severe of any during the Roman Empire; it was so terrible that the Church thought they were in the midst of the Great Tribulation that John wrote about in Revelations. At the same time Diocletian was persecuting Christians his wife and daughter were turning to Christ. Following him was Constantine who made Christianity a legal religion. Hmmmm, who had the last laugh?
“Our God the Father from his throne
Laughs at their pride, their rage controls
He’ll vex their hearts with pains unknown
And speak in thunder to their souls.”
–Old Scottish Psalter
These six verses could very well be prophetic as well. They make speak of the last days when the Antichrist will attempt to war against God. I think He will laugh, then His anger will swell and burst out with His wrath upon the Antichrist and his followers.