Psalm 2 – Success in the Midst of Chaos
Earthquakes in Italy, floods in Louisiana, wildfires in California: it seems every way we turn there is something going on that is unfathomable. From terrorists driving their cars into crowds of innocent people to mosquito bites killing people. In our families there is turmoil: from the church to the kitchen table, things seem to be upside down. How do we handle it? How can we keep our hearts from exploding and our minds from breaking down? How can we have success in the midst of so much chaos?
In Psalm 2, King David was wondering the same thing as he experienced nations all around him in an uproar and people everywhere going nuts (vs 1-3). If you’ve read about the life of David at all, you know he experienced lots of battles, heartbreak, failures, and successes, and through it all he was referred to as a man after God’s own heart. Here, in this Psalm, in this chaotic time in his life, he reveals his secret to success and staying on track when everything around him seems to be off the track.
Again, it’s a simple thing. Verse 12 says he “took refuge in Him!” When I first moved away from my home in Kentucky all the way to the Big D, Dallas, Texas – and mind you, I’d never been off Tucker Ridge – I always knew in my heart that if something went wrong or the end of the world happened (I really thought this!), I could run back home and “take refuge” at my mom’s house. Really. I felt this way. It made me fearless because I knew there was somewhere I could go where there was someone who loved me and would never turn me away.
I realize how blessed I am having grown up with such unconditional love, and I also realize that many never get to experience this; however, if you’ve never experienced this kind of love and security – even if you are near the end of your life – you still can! Just like David, you can know the love of a Father in whom you can take refuge at any time. So, before we go any further, if you’ve never had this security – or perhaps you have, but it’s been so long ago you’ve forgotten what it’s like – stop right now and run into this strong tower of the love of God. He’ll never turn you away. Ever. You can take refuge in Him right now and forever by saying, “Save me, God! Do it.
Now, how did David make it in chaotic times? He knew God was in control to the point that he said, these evil people causing all this chaos think they are in control – ISIS thinks they will infiltrate America and bring terror to all of us; the government thinks they can infiltrate every area of our lives, taxing us into submission, destroying our constitution, co-workers think they can intimidate us into denying our faith and being silent – David said, because he knew his God, “The one who created you and this universe is sitting on his throne laughing at you (not alarmed at the chaos) because He knows the end of the matter (vs 4-6).
David knew that, no matter what went on or how bad it looked, God had a plan. Often, though, we get outside of God’s plan for us – and yes, he does have a plan specifically for you – and we fall prey to the chaos and start to think, “I’ll never make it” whether it is financially, physically, mentally, or relationally. We get caught up in the day to day grind and fear grips us. I know. I’ve been there, recently!
First secret to succeeding in the midst of chaos is found in verses 10-12. Simply worship the Lord with reverence! When was the last time you let yourself truly worship the Lord? I’m not talking about turning to page 15 in the Hymnal (although that is definitely a way to worship corporately). I’m talking about, when was the last time you let yourself be still? Worship is not just singing. Google defines it as the feeling or expression of reverence and adoration for a deity.
You can worship God by getting quiet in your favorite spot (mine is my patio – I’m writing this blog right now in my quiet place) and just express yourself to God. Simply tell him how you feel. Open up to God. He knows anyway, but he receives it as worship when you express yourself to him. Go ahead. Right now. Open your mouth and say something to God. David sometimes said to God, “Answer me when I call, O God…!” Being real with God is true worship.
Here, on my patio in my quiet time, I worship God. Sometimes I open my mouth and talk out loud; other times, I write my worship in my journal. If you’re not comfortable yet with talking out loud to God, I challenge you to write to God. He will read it.
The second thing to do to succeed in the midst of chaos is to “take refuge in Him!” (verse 12) For a while this chaos is going to run rampant in the world. God does not want us to dig a hole or run to the hills. He wants us to keep moving toward our goals, keep living life abundantly, and keep letting our light shine.
Well, now you are contradicting yourself, Vickie, you may say. Which is it? Keep moving or take refuge which sounds like running to the hills to me! Here is the key. Running to the strong tower of the Lord is the ONLY way we are able to keep moving, keep living, and keep shining. Back to my moving to the Big D analogy. This hillbilly was able to approach the big city, scared, away from everything familiar because I had taken refuge in knowing I was loved and couldn’t fail in the eyes of my Mom and Dad. How much more-so can we be fearless when we know the God of the universe gives me a refuge even greater than this!
Right now, where you are, you can be hidden the shadow of his wings EVEN THOUGH you are walking through the chaos. You can get up and go to your job. You can get up and look for a job if you don’t have one. You can make that presentation. You can go to the grocery and clean your house. You can meet someone on the street and acknowledge them. You can do all these things right in the midst of this chaotic world – and do it with peace and joy in your heart because you take refuge in Him which means you’ll not “perish in the way” (verse 12).
ACTION STEP
- Right now, determine where your quiet place will be where you can worship Him. You’ve already determined a time each day in which you will give at least 15 minutes (part 1) to the word, right? Now, designate a place and either before or after you read the Scriptures, worship Him. You don’t have to sing (although you can). You don’t have to talk out loud (although you can). But, you DO have to express yourself to God. As a minimum, write out your worship/adoration/thoughts about/to Him.
- Take refuge right now. Perhaps you’ve been walking around unprotected. Do not do that any longer. Say, “Protect me in this Chaos and help me succeed/function each day!” When fear jumps up in your heart, remember and say, “I have a refuge!”
- Now go out and succeed with your life.
As always, I love hearing from you. Share with me your victories, your failures, your plan. I will respond.
Vickie L. Perez: Vitality 