Why are the nations so angry? 
   Why do they waste their time with futile plans? 
The kings of the earth prepare for battle; 
    the rulers plot together 
against the Lord 
   and against his anointed one - Psalms 2:1-2 NLT

Why Do They Rage?

This Psalm plainly speaks of the end times, when the nations of the world will openly gather to wage war against Jesus [1]. However, it also speaks to the myriad nations of this world that, over the years, have plotted to wipe out Israel, God’s chosen people, and the Church, the Bride of Jesus.

Why are the nations so angry? Why do they waste their time with futile plans? Why are nations gathering allies, countries increasing their military budgets, and scientists inventing new ways to kill? It is because in the heart of every person there is a need for God, a rebellion to withstand Him, and the knowledge that he or she stands convicted and destined for eternal punishment.

Only by repenting, submitting, receiving, and obeying can a person be forgiven, regenerated, and reconciled to God. Most people are unwilling to receive Jesus as Lord and Savior, so they rage against Him.

How Do We Thrive?

As a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, I am watching the events in Psalm 2 happen around us, and for many, to us. Right now, to the world, the root of all “evil” is the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

I am not whining about this state of affairs, for this is precisely how Jesus said it would be [2]. Truth be told, it is exciting to live in the fulfillment of Christ’s words. Still, how do we find strength as we live out our lives for Jesus?

The answer is in many places in the New Testament. One is in Acts 5:41-42:

The apostles left the high council rejoicing that God had counted them worthy to suffer disgrace for the name of Jesus. And every day, in the Temple and from house to house, they continued to teach and preach this message: “Jesus is the Messiah.” – Acts 5:41-42 [3] (emphasis added)

There would be no reason for the apostles to teach and preach unless people were there to hear them. And this is the answer. We find strength in the family of God. We strengthen each other by spending time together.

The American family is not an accurate model of God’s family. We must look to the Jews, the first Christian families. From their lives, we see some of the nature of God’s family. Eating together, fasting together, serving each other, looking out for each other. These repetitions of ordinary life, extended to all brothers and sisters in Christ, are the ingredients Jesus uses to give us the stamina we need to thrive in a world of death.

Live for Jesus. That’s what matters.

---

Footnotes

[1] Bible Gateway passage: Revelation 19:11-20 – New Living Translation. (n.d.). Bible Gateway. Retrieved June 10, 2025, from https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Revelation%2019%3A11-20&version=NLT
[2] Bible Gateway passage: Matthew 24 – New Living Translation. (n.d.). Bible Gateway. Retrieved June 10, 2025, from https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%2024&version=NLT
[3] Bible Gateway passage: Acts 5:41-42 – New Living Translation. (n.d.). Bible Gateway. Retrieved June 10, 2025, from https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%205%3A41-42&version=NLT