Why do you ask?

It pays every once in a while to actually read verses in context.  A few years ago we used to sing a song that started off,”Ask of me, and I will give you nations…“.  The idea of the song is that you can pray to God and He can use you in world missions.  A great thought.  Good to sing on “missions Sunday”.

Today I was reading that verse, and everything was going well until you get to the next verse.  The familiar verse is Psalm 2:8
Ask of Me, and I will give You the nations for Your inheritance, and the ends of the earth for Your possession.

So far so good.  But why are we asking for the nations?  What should be done with them once we get them?  The next verse answers the question:
You shall break them with a rod of iron; you shall dash them to pieces like a potter’s vessel.

I’m not sure that would have made a great verse 2:  When I get them, I will break them – I will smash them to smithereens, I will wreak havoc…  That may be some people’s impression of missions, but somehow I think it’s less ideal!

From what I can see, the verse is talking about the judgement of wicked nations being given to the Son (Jesus).  Those nations that plot against God will find themselves destroyed like a ship on the rocks.  It is futile to resist the living God.  On the other hand (and on a more positive note) the Psalm ends by saying Blessed are all those who put their trust in Him.

It’s a powerful Psalm, for sure.  It demonstrates the power of God and the importance of being one who follows Him and not one who opposes Him.  Read the full Psalm here.  Remember, it pays every once in a while to read the context.  And if you’re asking for the nations, maybe you should specify what you’re going to do with them once you have them… 🙄