There was a season in my life when I agreed to work a part-time contract job that was unexpectedly stressful.
When I was physically present at the job, my direct report praised and encouraged me.
But when I was not in the building, I learned this same person was doing everything they could to undermine me.
As I began studying Psalm 2 for today’s post, the Lord reminded me of this experience.
During that period of working that stressful job, I was wandering through a garden store one weekend when my eyes landed on a cement turtle figure.
The expression on the turtle figure looked like it was retreating into its protective shell. I, too, wanted to duck into a shell to escape the stress I was experiencing at my job.
I purchased this turtle figure to place on my desk at my stressful job. It was a reminder that the Lord would be my protective shell as I completed my contract with integrity.
And yes, I still have the turtle figure today as a memento of that period of my life.
What does this have to do with Psalm 2?
Read Psalm 2.
The Reign of the Lord’s Anointed
2 Why do the nations rage
and the peoples plot in vain?
2 The kings of the earth set themselves,
and the rulers take counsel together,
against the Lord and against his Anointed, saying,
3 “Let us burst their bonds apart
and cast away their cords from us.”
4 He who sits in the heavens laughs;
the Lord holds them in derision.
5 Then he will speak to them in his wrath,
and terrify them in his fury, saying,
6 “As for me, I have set my King
on Zion, my holy hill.”
7 I will tell of the decree:
The Lord said to me, “You are my Son;
today I have begotten you.
8 Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage,
and the ends of the earth your possession.
9 You shall break them with a rod of iron
and dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.”
10 Now therefore, O kings, be wise;
be warned, O rulers of the earth.
11 Serve the Lord with fear,
and rejoice with trembling.
12 Kiss the Son,
lest he be angry, and you perish in the way,
for his wrath is quickly kindled.
Blessed are all who take refuge in him. [1]
The last phrase of Psalm 2:12 states, “Blessed are all who take refuge in him.”
Who is the “him” in this final phrase of Psalm 2:12?
Who appointed the “Son” according to Psalm 2:6-7?
Remember, we are reading from the Old Testament today. David, the second official king of Israel, wrote most of the Psalms. However, both Psalms 1 and 2 have no heading showing who wrote them.
Many commentators and historians believe that Psalm 2 is a coronation ceremonial Psalm used for kings in the Davidic line.
David was anointed as king of Israel by the prophet Samuel at God’s instruction. (See 1 Samuel 16:1-13 for this back story.)
Although anointed as king, David was not immediately placed into that role. Instead, years of serving King Saul, Israel’s first king, as first a musician and later as a military leader, ensued. (See 1 Samuel 16:14-18:7.)
As David’s popularity rose through his military successes, Saul’s jealousy rose significantly. As a result, Saul repeatedly attempted to kill David. Ultimately, Saul’s murderous pursuit forced David into hiding or refuge. (1 Samuel 18:8-24:22)
Merriam-Webster.com defines refuge as shelter or protection from danger or distress.
The type of refuge needed is determined by the type of danger or distress one is experiencing.
Danger or distress can be any type of pain or suffering affecting our physical, mental, emotional, or spiritual well-being.
Sometimes we experience danger or distress in all these areas at the same time. At other times, we may only battle one area.
Is there a refuge we can seek that can provide shelter and protection for all parts of our being?
David believed so based on the many Psalms he wrote to and about God during this difficult period of refuge.
So does the last phrase of Psalm 2.
Blessed are all who take refuge in him. [2]
Psalm 2 reveals the Lord appointed the King as his Son, who is our refuge for every need we face.
This does not mean we will have a life without hurdles.
Like King David, we too must rely on the Lord’s timing of His blessings, even when things are difficult.
During my challenging work situation mentioned above, I initially wondered if my stress stemmed from adjusting to being an employee after being self-employed for several years.
Ultimately, I realized that was not the issue. There were other issues within the organization and the person I reported to stirring this strife.
Some might say I should have walked away from that contract instead of finishing it out.
But, like David knew the Lord would protect him from Saul, I too knew the Lord would protect me in my situation.
We will study more about the King and Son through the viewpoint of the New Testament in the week to come.
Meanwhile, consider the following reflection questions.
Where do you seek refuge when facing any type of danger or distress?
How does your choice of refuge help you?
Do you consider the Lord a source of refuge? Why or why not?
What is the difference between knowing about the Lord and knowing the Lord?
How might knowing the Lord impact your trust in him as your primary refuge?
Heavenly Father, open our eyes, hearts, and minds to your Holy Kingly presence in our daily lives. When we are facing hurdles of any kind, help us seek You first as our source of refuge. Just as you provided for David when he was hiding from Saul, provide for us in our time of need. Thank you for David’s example during that challenging time of his life of waiting on you, pouring out his heart to you, and trusting that all you had promised him would one day arrive.
Blessings,
Barbara Lynn
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[1] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Ps 2:1–12.
[2] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Ps 2:12.