Look around you, and you’ll see that people are anxious about many things. They’re anxious about the political division and partisanship flooding our news and social media feeds. They’re anxious about war and conflict around the globe. They’re anxious about school shootings, the cost of food, and on and on.
And the anxiety and anger may also be in you. You wonder if God is really in control and watching over his world. Perhaps you’re wondering if there will ever be an end to violence and bloodshed, poverty and oppression, evil and sin.
I’ve been meditating on Psalm 2, and I think we find a weapon against our anxiety in this song. Tradition holds that King David wrote this psalm, expressing the conflict of the nations around him and their power-centered focus that was set against God and his anointed leader of his people. David also sang of how their attempt to oppose God was futile because God’s anointed King would have the last word.
Psalm 2 reminds us that the anxious world—both within and outside of us—cannot have the last word over and against God’s perfect plan and purpose for his kingdom. When we recognize that God and his anointed Son, Jesus, sit enthroned over all things, ruling and watching over his creation, completely in control and utterly involved, then our anxiety can transform into worship.
Here are three things we could do to help us battle our anxiety in light of Psalm 2:
Praise God for His Power and Justice
When the leaders and rulers of the nations strive to upend God’s rule and reign, what is the result? God laughs at them! Look at the first verses of Psalm 2:
1 Why do the nations conspire
and the peoples plot in vain?
2 The kings of the earth rise up
and the rulers band together
against the LORD and against his anointed, saying,
3 “Let us break their chains
and throw off their shackles.”
4 The One enthroned in heaven laughs;
the Lord scoffs at them.
5 He rebukes them in his anger
and terrifies them in his wrath, saying,
6 “I have installed my king
on Zion, my holy mountain.”
The Lord is amused at the plots of men who think they can usurp his power and kingdom. Why? Because he has set his King on the throne of the whole world. Unlike world leaders, presidents, or CEOs, King Jesus has “all authority in heaven and on earth” (Matthew 28:18). No governmental power or political influence can thwart his good, right, and perfect rule. Nothing takes him by surprise, and nothing is outside of his control.
King Jesus is the righteous ruler over the nations (Psalm 2:8), and he metes out his justice to ensure that wickedness and evil of all kinds will be utterly destroyed (v.9). This is the God we serve and follow. Let your praise of God drown out your anxiety! Focus on the Lord, who is holy and absolutely in power!
Pray for Our World Leaders
Psalm 2 prompts us to pray for our world leaders and to ask God to have mercy in and through them. Verses 10-12 say:
10 Therefore, you kings, be wise;
be warned, you rulers of the earth.
11 Serve the LORD with fear
and celebrate his rule with trembling.
12 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.
Are you anxious over politicians who seem corrupt, unfair, or incapable of leading? Are you worried that world leaders will cast our nations into World War III? Are you losing sleep or losing your cool because those in positions of influence and power seem to have lost their senses?
Indeed, these concerns are real, and God knows they weigh us down. But there is a better way–it’s the way of prayer. Not only do we take our anxieties to God (see 1 Peter 5:6-7), but we also take our leaders to God in prayer.
Psalm 2 calls on these leaders and rulers to “Kiss the Son,” to submit to King Jesus’ leadership, and to turn from their ways and instead turn to him. Yes, God warns these rulers that failure to do so will result in destruction, but he desires that they heed his excellent word, serve him, and celebrate His loving rule.
I believe our anxiety can be replaced with peace as we pray for our leaders, asking God to display his mercy in saving them and leading them to rule with righteousness and justice. The apostle Paul encourages his protege, Timothy, to teach the church to pray for those who lead us:
1 I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people—2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.3 This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave himself as a ransom for all people. (1 Timothy 2:1–6 NIV)
Find Refuge in the King
Psalm 2 ends by saying, “Blessed are all who take refuge in him.” When anxiety, worry, anger, or fear pricks your heart, run to Jesus and find your soul rest in him (Matthew 11:28-30). Jesus is our protector, shield, comfort, and strength (see Proverbs 18:10; Psalm 3:3; 5:11-12). He is trustworthy and true, and we can bank on his promises that he will put to right all that is wrong in the world.
As we continue to battle anxiety, worry, fear, and anger, we must fight with God’s word and saturate ourselves in prayer. We must look to Jesus, who cares for us and covers our anxieties with his grace and power. He is the anointed King of Psalm 2, who rules the nations and rules our hearts.
I’m with you, FBC, in fighting anxiety with prayer, God’s power, and God’s word.
–Wade