Issue link: http://cp.revolio.com/i/1000232
12 | WheelsOfGrace.com | Issue 41 1 Why do the nations conspire and the peoples plot in vain? 2 The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together against the Lord and against his Anointed One. 3 "Let us break their chains," they say, "and throw off their fetters [or shackles for the feet]." 4 The One enthroned in Heaven laughs; the Lord scoffs at them. 5 Then he rebukes them in his anger and terrifies them in his wrath, saying, 6 "I have installed my King on Zion, my holy hill." 7 I will proclaim the decree of the Lord: He said to me, "You are my Son; today I have become your Father. 8 Ask of me, and I will make the nations your inheritance, the ends of the earth your possession. 9 You will rule them with an iron scepter; you will dash them to pieces like pottery." 10 Therefore, you kings, be wise; be warned, you rulers of the earth. 11 Serve the Lord with fear and rejoice with trembling. 12 Kiss the Son, lest he be angry and you be destroyed in your way, for his wrath can flare up in a moment. Blessed are all who take refuge in him. Have you ever been to the store and seen a screaming child being carted away by his parent? The kid is hollering, kicking and flailing, declaring, "I hate you! I hate you!" It soon becomes obvious that the parent has become pretty good at this. They're not embarrassed or intimidated by the scene their child is making. They're just quietly taking Johnny out to the parking lot for a little "time out" or perhaps a politically incorrect spanking! Before we celebrate Johnny's demise too soon, you and I are just like him. Yep! We make our plans. We declare Pastor Marty Edwards, BSHDFC this and that as if we are in control. And then we sit proudly upon our iron horses as if to suggest, "I am in charge!" The worst of us join Frank Sinatra in a chorus of "I Did It My Way." Truth is, we are just being carried away by the ruthless hand of time and the ever-loving (but firm and just) arms of God. We can kick and scream as much as we like! We're going to the parking lot! We boldly declare our independence from God and make up "the truth" as we think it ought to be. Then, we declare our "freedom" and cry out, "Let us break the chains!" as we ride away into the sunset. How romantic. Sadly, in an attempt to leave behind what we thought were God's chains to deprive us, we soon discover a whole new set of self-made irons, created by our ignorance and our so-called "freedom." And God; the One we took the stand against? He just smiles and carries us outside for a "time out" or better yet, a good spanking. (Last time I checked, God wasn't concerned with being politically correct.) You can go to the parking lot if you want. I've been there and it isn't any fun. Instead, I choose to serve the Lord and do it his way. 21 Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. 22 But now he has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation. Colossians 1:21-22 Pastor Marty Edwards BSHDFC Dependence Day Dependence Day Psalm 2