On Friday we began a new series based on
glimpses of the life of David as viewed through some of the songs he wrote.
Today we will look at Ps. 2 for a glimpse of Truth that was evident to
David:
"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.'" (Psalms 2:1-7 NIV)
Just weeks before this devotional was written, a terrible injustice was done. An African-American man named George Floyd, charged with the use of a counterfeit 20$ bill, was arrested in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA. After being handcuffed, one of the four police officers put his knee on the man's neck for nearly nine minutes while the other three police officers looked on. The man died of suffocation.
Sadly, this episode of police brutality isn't anything new. In fact, it had been going on for years throughout all countries of the world. It was simply "lurking" in the shadows, always being "explained away" or simply dismissed as unimportant. But then it happened again, and this time it was caught on video camera and put on social media. It could be ignored no longer. This one man's death brought all of the hidden episodes of police brutality against minorities to the forefront, sparking rallies and demonstrations throughout major cities across the world and bringing to the forefront the ugly cancer of worldwide racism. In the end, this one event has sparked governments to begin in-depth investigations into police brutality and racism.
We don't yet know how successful these reforms will be, but one thing is sure: The name of George Floyd will never be forgotten, and his death will always be seen as the incident that brought police brutality against minority populations to light.
God loved George Floyd. He loves all people, so much that He was willing to suffer and die for our eternal salvation: "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." (John 3:16 NIV); and "The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them." (John 14:21 NIV). If Jesus' actions towards women, lepers, the poor and the hated Samaritans while He was on earth are any indication, He especially loves minorities. Although racism has been a hidden cancer, one we all knew was there but one that was largely ignored, one brutal killing was all God needed to bring it out of the shadows and into world light.
This prompts us to ask, along with David: "Why do the nations conspire and the peoples plot in vain?" (Ps. 2:1 NIV); because, no matter what rises up against us, God is always stronger, and His love for His people endures forever: "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..." (Ps. 2:2-7 NIV)
In His love,
Rob Chaffart