Prophecy, Purpose, and Power

Read Psalm 2:1–6

The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together against the Lord and against his Anointed One (Psalm 2:2).

In Acts 4:25,26, Peter and John quote this same verse and explain the prophecy’s fulfillment in the life of Christ: the kings and rulers, Herod and Pontius Pilate, together with Jews and Gentiles, plotted against Jesus-—God’s Anointed. Peter and John realized the rulers had carried out what God had already determined would happen.

Readers familiar with the psalm know the prophecy does not end with this attack against the Messiah. In fact, God laughs at the rulers because their power is nothing compared to His. Then He angrily rebukes them. In the greatness of His power, God proclaims He has established His King in Zion.

Hundreds of years before Jesus was born, His victory had already been written. The prophecy fulfilled in Christ reminds us that God acts with purpose and is all-powerful, using even earthly rulers to accomplish His plan.

Thought for Today: In a world that seems chaotic, we can be confident of God’s good plans for us.