Tim Adams

I am a pastor and a seminary student and a man who desires to glorify and honor God and proclaim the truth of the gospel boldly and in love.

[Tim Adams @TimRAdamsOG]

Worship with Reverence, Rejoice with Trembling
“Worship the LORD with reverence And rejoice with trembling.” – Psalm 2:11 (NASB)
After describing the rebellion of the nations (vv. 1-3), the sovereign response of God (vv. 4-6), and the universal reign of His Anointed Son (vv. 7-9), Psalm 2 now shifts from proclamation to invitation.
The psalmist calls the kings and rulers of the earth to abandon their rebellion and submit to the Lord. Verse 10 commands them to be wise. Verse 11 tells them what true wisdom looks like.
“Worship the LORD…”The Hebrew verb translated “worship”
literally means “serve.”Throughout the Old Testament, serving the Lord is never mere outward activity. It is wholehearted devotion flowing from a heart that has submitted to His sovereign authority.
This is the complete opposite of the rebellion described in verses 2 and 3. Earlier the nations cried, “Let us tear their fetters apart.” Now God calls them to joyful service.
The irony is striking. The rebels believed God’s rule was bondage. God reveals that serving Him is true freedom. Jesus would later declare, “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me…For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” (Matthew 11:29-30)
The Christian life is not oppressive slavery. It is joyful service to the most gracious King imaginable. This service is the fruit of regeneration, not the cause of salvation. We do not serve God in order to earn His favor. We serve Him because He has already shown us mercy in Christ. Obedience is the grateful response of a redeemed heart.
“With reverence…”The word “reverence” carries the idea of holy fear. This is not the fear of a criminal before a judge. It is the awe of a child before a loving father. It is the profound recognition of God’s infinite holiness, majesty, and authority.
What passes for Christianity in our culture today often emphasizes God’s love while neglecting His holiness. Yet Scripture never separates the two. The God who welcomes sinners through Christ is also the God before whom the seraphim cry, “Holy, Holy, Holy is the LORD of hosts” (Isaiah 6:3).
John MacArthur often observed that a diminished view of God inevitably produces shallow worship. When we lose sight of God’s holiness, worship becomes casual, self-centered, and entertainment driven.
But when we behold God’s majesty, our hearts are humbled. Biblical worship is marked by reverence because it is centered on the greatness of God rather than the preferences of man.
“And rejoice with trembling.” At first, this command seems almost contradictory. How can someone rejoice and tremble at the same time? Yet this is one of the great paradoxes of genuine worship. The believer experiences both overwhelming joy and profound humility.
We rejoice because we have been forgiven. We tremble because we know the holiness of the One who forgave us. We rejoice because we have been adopted into God’s family. We tremble because the God who calls us His children is the Creator of heaven and earth. We rejoice because Christ has removed our condemnation. We tremble because He bore the wrath we deserved.
These two attitudes belong together. Joy without reverence becomes flippancy. Reverence without joy becomes cold formalism. True worship holds both together. The believer stands before God with confidence because of Christ’s finished work yet never loses sight of the infinite majesty of the One he worships.
The writer of Hebrews captures this balance beautifully: “Therefore, since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us show gratitude, by which we may offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe; for our God is a consuming fire” (Heb. 12:28-29). Notice that gratitude and reverence are not enemies. They are companions. The closer we draw to God, the more deeply we rejoice – and the more humbly we worship.
This verse also reminds us that worship is fundamentally God-centered. Its purpose is not to entertain us or satisfy our preferences. Its purpose is to glorify God. Whether gathered with the church on the Lord’s Day or worshiping privately, our focus is the same: to exalt the Lord with hearts filled with joyful reverence.
The only reason sinners can worship God with joy is because Christ has made peace between God and man. Apart from Christ, the holiness of God would produce only terror. But through the cross, those who were once enemies have become beloved children.
Jesus bore God’s righteous wrath so that we might approach the throne of grace with confidence. Yet the cross also reminds us never to treat God’s grace lightly. The price of our salvation was the blood of the eternal Son of God. The cross teaches us both to rejoice and to tremble. We rejoice in the greatness of God’s mercy. We tremble before the greatness of His holiness.
How do you approach worship? It is something you merely attend? A routine to complete? Or is it the joyful privilege of drawing near to the King of heaven?
Ask yourself: Do I come into God’s presence thoughtfully or carelessly? Does my worship reflect both delight in His grace and awe of His holiness? Am I serving God because I must, or because I love Him?
The healthiest Christian life is marked by both confidence and humility. Because of Christ, we need not fear rejection. Because of God’s holiness, we dare not become casual.
May every Lord’s Day – and every day in between – be marked by worship that is full of joy, rooted in truth, and overflowing with reverent awe.

[Tim Adams @TimRAdamsOG]

The Coming Reign of the King
“You shall break them with a rod of iron, You shall shatter them like earthenware.”– Psalm 2:9 (NASB)
The tone of the second Psalm changes once again here in verse 9. The invitation of grace will not last forever. The King who now gathers His people through the gospel will one day judge all who refuse to submit to His rule.
“You shall break them with a rod of iron…” The rod symbolizes authority. A shepherd carries a rod to protect his flock. A king carries a scepter to exercise his rule. Christ’s authority is absolute. The rod is made of iron because His kingdom cannot be resisted or broken. The imagery here points us beyond Christ first coming to His glorious second coming.
The New Testament repeatedly quotes this verse in reference to the Second Coming (Revelation 2:27; 12:5; 19:15). The gentle Savior who came riding on a donkey will return as the conquering King. His mercy is abundant today, but His judgment will be perfect tomorrow.
“You shall shatter them like earthenware.” Ancient clay pots were fragile. Once you struck them with any force, they shattered beyond repair. That is the picture of every kingdom, every ruler, and every heart that persists in rebellion against Christ. The kingdoms of this world appear powerful. Yet before the returning King they will prove as fragile as pottery.
This verse reminds us that Christ’s kingdom will triumph completely. There is no dualism in Scripture. Good and evil are not locked in an endless struggle. The outcome has already been determined. The Lamb who was slain is also the Lion of Judah. He will judge with perfect righteousness and establish an everlasting peace.
For believers, this is not a terrifying promise. It is a comforting one. The Judge is also our Redeemer. The One who rules with a rod of iron is the same One who bore the nails for His people. Those who have taken refuge in Him need not fear His coming judgment.
The world often appears to reward rebellion and mock righteousness. Psalm 2 reminds us that this is only temporary. Christ’s justice is certain.
Therefore, do not lose heart. Remain faithful. Live under the authority of your King today. And proclaim His mercy while the day of grace remains. For the King who will one day judge the world is still inviting sinners to become His joyful subjects.

[Tim Adams @TimRAdamsOG]

The King’s Inheritance
“Ask of Me, and I will surely give the nations as Your inheritance, And the very ends of the earth as Your possession.” – Psalm 2:8 (NASB)
Having declared the identity of His Son, the Father now declares the extent of His Son’s kingdom. The inheritance promised to Christ is breathtaking. Not just Israel. Not merely Jerusalem, not just one nation. “The nations…And the very ends of the earth…”
“Ask of Me…”This is not the request of a reluctant Father. This is the invitation of a willing Father delighting to give all things to His beloved Son. The Father has eternally purposed that the Son would receive universal dominion.
This promise began to be fulfilled through Christ’s death, resurrection, and ascension. Following His resurrection, Jesus declared in Matthew 28:18, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.”
Today, Christ gathers citizens for His kingdom through the preaching of the gospel. Every conversion is evidence that the Father is giving another portion of the promised inheritance to His Son.
This verse beautifully undergirds the certainty of evangelism and missions. The success of evangelism ultimately rests not on our ability to reach people, but upon God’s sovereign purposes. Christ will receive the nations. Therefore, we can proclaim the gospel with confidence. We preach because the Father has promised a redeemed people to His Son from every tribe, language, and nation.
“The very ends of the earth as Your possession.” No place lies outside of Christ’s authority. No culture is outside His claim. No nation is forgotten. The gospel is not just a message for the Western nations. It is God’s message to the entire world. One day His promise will be fulfilled perfectly.
The beloved Apostle John saw that day in Revelation 7:9 where he wrote, “After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could count, from every nation and all tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, and palm branches were in their hands.” What Psalm 2 promises, Revelation celebrates. Christ receives His inheritance.
When you pray for missionaries, support gospel work, or share Christ with a friend or neighbor, remember that you are participating in God’s eternal plan.
The nations belong to the Lord Jesus Christ. No heart is too hard. No people group is forgotten. No corner of the earth lies outside of His sovereign claim. So, labor joyfully because the King will receive His inheritance.

[Tim Adams @TimRAdamsOG]

The Father’s Eternal Decree
“I will surely tell the decree of the LORD: He said to Me, ‘You are My Son, Today I have begotten You.’”– Psalm 2:7 (NASB)
With verse 7, the speaker changes. The rebellion of the nations has been described. The Father has answered from heaven. Now the Anointed King Himself speaks.
“I will surely tell of the decree of the LORD…” The word “decree” refers to an unchangeable royal proclamation. This is not a suggestion. It is not a plan that may or may not come to pass. It is the sovereign decree of Almighty God.
Throughout Scripture, God’s decrees are certain because they rest upon His omnipotence and sovereignty. What God purposes cannot fail. Isaiah 46:10 says, “My purpose will be established, and I will accomplish all My good pleasure” (Isaiah 46:10).
The nations may issue their decrees. Kings and Presidents may sign legislative movements into law. Governments may change their constitutions. But God’s decree stands forever. The Son’s confidence rests entirely upon the Father’s unchanging word. So should ours.
“You are My Son…”These words reveal the unique relationship between the Father and the Son. While Israel was sometimes called God’s son, and Davidic kings were adopted as God’s covenant representatives, this declaration ultimately finds its fulfillment in Jesus Christ.
The New Testament repeatedly applies this verse to Christ. At His baptism and transfiguration, the Father declared, “This is My beloved Son.” The writer of Hebrews quotes this verse to demonstrate Christ’s absolute superiority over the angels (Hebrews 1:5).
This verse affirms the eternal Sonship of Christ. Jesus did not become the Son. He has always been the eternal Son of God. The Father and the Son have existed in perfect fellowship from all eternity.
“Today I have begotten You.” This phrase has often been misunderstood. It does not teach that Christ has a beginning. The eternal Son was never created. Rather, “begotten” speaks of His public installation and declaration as the Messianic King.
The New Testament especially connects this verse with Christ’s resurrection. Paul quotes Psalm 2:7 in Acts 13:33 when he says, “that God has fulfilled this promise to our children in that He raised up Jesus, as it is also written in the second Psalm, ‘YOU ARE MY SON; TODAY I HAVE BEGOTTEN YOU.’”
The resurrection did not make Jesus the Son. It revealed Him as the Son. What had been eternally true was publicly vindicated before the world. Christ is the eternal Son who has been exalted as the victorious King.
In a world where everything seems uncertain, God’s decree remains unchanged. Governments change. Cultures change. Even our circumstances change. But God’s Word never changes.
The same Father who declared His Son to be King has promised to preserve all who belong to Him.
Rest your confidence not in changing circumstances but in God’s eternal promises.

[Tim Adams @TimRAdamsOG]

@TerriGreenUSA @baldreformer This guy - like so many others - is so full of himself. I pray that God raises a new crop of humble JMac like men.

[Tim Adams @TimRAdamsOG]

The Unshakable Decree of God – Part 2

“…saying, ‘But as for Me, I have installed My King Upon Zion, My holy mountain.’”– Psalm 2:6 (NASB)

“But as for Me…”These four words are among the most majestic in the Psalms. The nations have spoken. The kings have spoken. The rulers have spoken. Now God speaks, and His word settles the matter.
Humanity may cast its votes. Governments may pass their laws. Cultures may reject God’s standards. But none of these things can alter the decree of heaven. God’s purposes are never subject to human approval.
Proverbs 19;21 declares, “Many plans are in a man’s heart, but the counsel of the LORD will stand.” The sovereignty of God is not a theological abstraction. It is the foundation of the believer’s confidence. Because God has spoken, history has a certain destination.
“I have installed My King…” Notice the tense here. Not “I will install,” but “I have installed.” From God’s perspective, the matter is already settled. The Hebrew word carries the idea of establishing, appointing, or setting someone firmly in place.
No election placed Christ on His throne. No human authority bestowed His kingship. The Father Himself appointed His Son as the eternal King.
This reflects the eternal decree of God. Christ’s reign was not an afterthought following Israel’s rejection of the Messiah. It was the Father’s eternal purpose before the foundation of the world. The resurrection and ascension publicly declared what had always been true. Jesus is King.
Peter proclaimed on the Day of Pentecost in Acts 2:36, “Therefore let all the house of Israel know for certain that God has made Him both Lord and Christ – this Jesus whom you crucified.”
The nations rejected Him. God exalted Him. The rulers crowned Him with thorns, but the Father crowned Him with glory.
“Upon Zion, My holy mountain.” Zion originally referred to Jerusalem, the city David conquered and then established as Israel’s capital. Jerusalem became the location of God’s dwelling among His covenant people and the center of Israel’s worship. But throughout the Old Testament, Zion also became a symbol of God’s kingdom and the reign of His Messiah. Ultimately, this verse points beyond the earthly Jerusalem to the heavenly reign of Christ.
Today, Christ reigns from heaven at the Father’s right hand. One day He will return to establish His visible kingdom in perfect righteousness. His reign is certain because God Himself has decreed it. No rebellion can overturn it. No government can delay it. No enemy can defeat it.
The late John MacArthur often emphasized that history is moving inexorably toward the universal reign of Christ Jesus. The kingdoms of this world are temporary, but the kingdom of Christ is eternal. The question is not if Christ will reign – it is whether people will submit to Him willingly now or be compelled to acknowledge Him when He returns in glory.
These verses confront every man, woman, and child with a choice. The King has already been installed. The question is no longer whether Chrsit will rule. The question is whether you will bow before Him.
The same Jesus who came the first time in humility will come again in majesty. His first coming brought salvation. His second coming will bring judgment. Yet the King who will judge the nations is also the Savior who died for rebels.
At the cross, Christ endured the wrath of God that His people deserved. The fury described in verse 5 fell upon God’s own Son so that all who trust in Him might receive mercy instead of judgment.
This is the wonder of the gospel. The King against whom we rebelled gave His life to reconcile rebels to Himself.
The world that we live in often seems chaotic and unstable. Leaders rise and fall. Nations wage war. Cultures drift further from God’s truth. Because of all of this it can be tempting to wonder whether evil is gaining the upper hand.
Psalm 2 answers with a resounding no! Christ is not campaigning for the throne. He already occupies it. This truth should transform the way we live. It gives us confidence in uncertain times. It gives us courage to proclaim the gospel. It gives us hope when righteousness seems opposed. And it calls us to joyful submission.
Every morning, remind yourself: My King reigns. His purposes cannot fail. His promises cannot be broken. His kingdom cannot be shaken. Therefore, live today with unwavering confidence in the sovereign Christ.

[Tim Adams @TimRAdamsOG]

The Unshakable Decree of God – Part 1

“Then He will speak to them in His anger And terrify them in His fury, saying, ‘But as for Me, I have installed My King Upon Zion, My holy mountain.’”– Psalm 2:5-6 (NASB)

The nations have raged. The rulers have conspired, heaven has laughed, and now the Judge speaks. There is a solemn progression here in Psalm 2. The rebellion of mankind is answered first with God’s sovereign contempt in verse 4, but that laughter is not the last word. The time for mockery gives way to the certainty of judgment.
“Then He will speak to them in His anger…” The word “then” marks a decisive turning point. There comes a time when God’s patience gives way to His judgment.
Throughout Scripture, God is described as “slow to anger” (Exodus 34:6). He patiently endures human rebellion, calling sinners to repentance and extending mercy through the gospel. Yet His patience must never be mistaken for indifference to sin. Nor should we interpret His delay as weakness. The same God who is rich in mercy is also perfect in justice. His holiness demands that sin be judged.
God’s wrath is not an emotional outburst or an uncontrolled passion. It is His settled, holy, and righteous opposition to all sin. His anger is always just because His character is perfectly holy. Unlike human anger, which is often selfish and sinful. God’s wrath is the necessary expression of His holiness against evil.
“And terrify them in His fury…” The nations imagined they could intimidate God. Instead, they are the ones who become terrified. Every earthly ruler who exalts himself against God will one day stand speechless before the King of heaven.
Scripture repeatedly reminds us that there is a coming a day when every proud heart will be humbled. Isaiah 2:17 says, “The pride of man will be humbled, and the loftiness of men will be abased; and the LORD alone will be exalted in that day.” What humanity refuses to acknowledge willingly today will one day be acknowledged irresistibly. The Judge whom so many ignore today will one day judge every single person.
This truth should be sobering for every believer and non-believer alike. God’s wrath is not merely an Old Testament theme. Jesus spoke more about hell than anyone else in the Bible. The gospel only makes sense when we understand the reality of the judgment from which Christ saves us.

[Tim Adams @TimRAdamsOG]

@TerriGreenUSA These people are endlessly exhausting.

[Tim Adams @TimRAdamsOG]

Heaven’s Response to Man’s Rebellion
Good morning! We are back from our vacation and getting prepared to go back to school next week! What? Yes, my new district where I will be teaching has the teachers reporting next Tuesday. So, I am enjoying the last few fleeting days of summer vacation.
“He who sits in the heavens laughs, The Lord scoffs at them.” – Psalm 2:4 (NASB)
The scene now shifts dramatically. In verses 1-3, we see the nations on the earth rage. Kings gathered. Rulers conspired. Humanity united in rebellion against the Lord and His anointed.
Now the camera turns from earth to heaven. What is God’s response to mankind’s rebellion? Does God panic? Is He threatened? Does He scramble to preserve His throne? Not for a moment.
“He who sits in the heavens…”The first thing the psalmist emphasizes is God’s position. He “sits.”That single word speaks volumes. God is not pacing around heaven in anxiety. He is not wringing His hands over the decisions of earthly rulers. He is not surprised by world events. He is seated upon His throne.
Throughout Scripture, sitting upon a throne symbolized sovereign authority, completed power, and absolute control. Isaiah saw “the Lord sitting on a throne, lofty and exalted” (Isaiah 6:1). Daniel saw “the Ancient of Days” seated as Judge over the nations (Daniel 7:9-10). John saw “One sitting on the throne”who rules over all creation (Revelation 4:2).
This is a magnificent declaration of God’s absolute authority. Nothing occurs outside His eternal decree. Every kingdom and government rises because He permits it. Every ruler governs under His authority. Every event unfolds according to His perfect wisdom.
Isaiah 46:9-10 says, “I am God, and there is no other…My purpose will be established, and I will accomplish all My good pleasure.” History is not directed by the will of man. History is governed by the throne of God.
“Laughs…”The laughter of God is not the laughter of amusement or cruelty. It is the laughter of utter supremacy. God is not mocking human suffering. He is exposing the absurdity of human pride.
Imagine and ant announcing its intention to overthrow a mountain. Or a clay pot declaring war against the potter. That is the picture Psalm 2 presents. Finite creatures imagine they can overthrow the infinite Creator. The rebellion is not frightening, it is foolish.
God laughs because the outcome has never been in doubt. The nations believe they are threatening heaven, but heaven knows they are accomplishing God’s eternal purposes.
The cross proves this. Herod, Pilate, the Sanhedrin, and the Roman soldiers believed they had destroyed God’s Messiah. Instead, they accomplished the very redemption God had ordained before the foundation of the world (Acts 2:23). Human rebellion never frustrates God’s plan. It fulfills it.
“The Lord scoffs at them.” The word “Lord” here is the Hebrew word Adonai,emphasizing God’s sovereign authority. To “scoff” does not mean God is petty or vindictive. It means He holds human arrogance in utter contempt.
The rulers of the earth exalt themselves. God exposes the emptiness of their rebellion. Psalm 2 reminds us that the greatest illusion in history is the belief that mankind is autonomous.
Every empire has eventually fallen: Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Persia, Greece, Rome, the Third Reich, the Soviet Union. Countless kingdoms have risen, boasted, persecuted God’s people, and then disappeared into history. God’s throne has never moved. Not once.
As Charles Spurgeon beautifully observed: “He has not taken His seat by chance, nor can He be dethroned by force.” That truth has comforted God’s people living under hostile governments, persecution, and cultural opposition.
The kingdoms of the world are temporary. Christ’s kingdom is eternal.
It is easy to become discouraged as we watch our world grow increasingly hostile to Biblical truth. Governments change. Cultures reject God’s design. The church faces ridicule. The gospel is opposed.
Psalm 2 reminds us to lift our eyes above the turmoil of earth and fix them upon the throne of heaven. God is not anxious. Christ has not lost control. The advance of evil has never endangered His kingdom.
This truth should produce humility and confidence. Humility – because we ourselves were once among those who resisted Him until His sovereign grace opened our eyes. Confidence – because our King reigns.
Instead of fearing the rage of nations, let us faithfully proclaim the gospel. For the King who now sits upon the throne is still gathering citizens for His kingdom.

[Tim Adams @TimRAdamsOG]

@FreddyLA7 @Chris_1791 Great advice! Thank you for visiting and I pray someday I get to visit Germany.

[Tim Adams @TimRAdamsOG]

We are now officially back home as residents of the #SunflowerState
https://t.co/Q0u77gqmey

[Tim Adams @TimRAdamsOG]

This will be my last devotional that I will post until probably July 29th. We will be on vacation.

The Revolt Against God – Part 1
“The kings of the earth take their stand And the rulers take counsel together Against the LORD and against His Anointed, saying, ‘Let us tear their fetters apart And cast away their cords from us!’” – Psalm 2:2-3 (NASB)
The psalmist now moves from the restless rebellion of the nations (v.1) to a deliberate conspiracy against God Himself. The rebellion is no longer vague or undefined. It has a clear target, “The LORD and...His Anointed” King.
“The kings of the earth take their stand…” The phrase “take their stand”describes a determined and settled opposition. This is not a momentary disagreement or isolated act of disobedience. This is calculated resistance.
Throughout history, rulers have imagined that they possess ultimate authority. Pharoah demanded worship. Nebuchadnezzar erected a golden image. Herod sought to destroy the infant Jesus. The Roman authorities crucified the Lord of glory. Countless governments down through the ages and even today, have attempted to silence the gospel, persecute the church, or redefine God’s moral standards.
Yet Psalm 2 reminds us that behind every earthly rebellion lies a far deeper conflict. This is not merely the story of politics. This is the story of fallen humanity refusing to submit to the rule of its Creator.
Civil government is ordained by God (Romans 13:1-7). Authority itself is a gift from the Lord. But because mankind is radically corrupted by sin, rulers often misuse that authority by exalting themselves above God and opposing His revealed will. Every government ultimately answers to God.
“And the rulers take counsel together…” Notice the unity here. People who disagree about almost everything often unite in their rejection of Christ. Political enemies become allies. Religious opponents find common ground. Cultures with vastly different worldviews discover a shared determination to silence Biblical truth.
This verse found remarkable fulfillment during the trial and crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Herod and Pontius Pilate – previously at odds with one another – became united in condemning Christ (Luke 23:12). The Jewish religious leaders and the Roman government joined together in rejecting the Messiah.
The early church recognized this when they prayed in Acts 4:25-28, quoting Psalm 2 and acknowledging that the conspiracy against Jesus fulfilled God’s sovereign plan.
Human beings may imagine that they are directing history. But in reality, they are accomplishing what God has already eternally decreed.
“Against the LORD and against His Anointed…” Here we encounter one of the Bible’s great Messianic titles. The word “Anointed” translates the Hebrew word Mashiach – Messiah. Its Greek equivalent is Christos, from which we derive the title Christ.
Kings, priests, and sometimes prophets in Israel were anointed with oil as a symbol that they had been set apart by God for His service. But every anointed king in the Old Testament pointed forward to the One who would be perfectly anointed by the Holy Spirit – the Lord Jesus Christ.
David was an anointed king. Solomon was an anointed king. Yet neither of them fulfilled this psalm completely. Only Jesus is the eternal King whom the Father has appointed to reign forever.
Notice also that rebellion against the Messiah is rebellion against God Himself. The nations do not merely reject a religious teacher. They reject God’s chosen King. Jesus said in Luke 10:16, “The one who rejects Me rejects the One who sent Me.” There is no neutrality regarding Christ. To refuse the Son is to refuse the Father.

[Tim Adams @TimRAdamsOG]

The Irrational Rebellion of Mankind
“Why are the nations in an uproar, And the people devising a vain thing.”– Psalm 2:1 (NASB)
Psalm 2 opens with a question. Not because God lacks information – He is all knowing., Not because the psalmist is confused. Rather, it is a question of amazement: “Why?”
“Why”would finite, sinful creatures imagine they can oppose the infinite, sovereign God? The word translated “in an uproar” carries the idea of raging, tumult, or restless rebellion. It paints a picture of nations in violent agitation against God’s authority. This is not merely political unrest. This is spiritual warfare.
Throughout history, nations and empires have risen and fallen. Empires have sought to have absolute power. Governments have attempted many times to silence God’s truth. Kings and dictators have persecuted the people of God. Yet beneath every earthly rebellion lies a deeper reality. Humanity is in rebellion against its Creator. From the tower of Babel to Pharoah, from Nebuchadnezzar to Herod, from the Roman Empire to modern secular societies, mankind has consistently resisted God’s rule.
This is exactly what the Apostle Paul describes in Romans 1. Sinful humanity “who suppresses the truth in unrighteousness” (Rom. 1:18). They do this because they do not want God to reign over them. The rebellion of nations is ultimately the rebellion of the human heart.
“And the peoples devising a vain thing?” The word “devising” means to meditate upon, imagine, or carefully plan. Interestingly it is the same Hebrew word used in Psalm 1:2 for the righteous man who meditates on God’s law.
The contrast is intentional. The righteous meditate upon God’s truth. The wicked meditate upon rebellion. Everyone is continually filling his or her mind with something. The question is whether our thoughts are centered on God’s Word or on resistance to His authority.
The object of the rebellion is described here as “a vain thing.” The word means empty, futile, worthless, or without lasting success. Humanity imagines that it can overthrow God’s rule. But every attempt is doomed from the beginning.
This reflects God’s absolute sovereignty. No decree of man can overturn the decree of God. No election, revolution, military power, or cultural movement can frustrate God’s eternal purposes. Isaiah 46:10 says, “My purpose will be established, And I will accomplish all My good pleasure.”
The nations may rage, cultures may shift, and the world may reject Christ. But none of it changes the certainty of God’s kingdom. History is not moving toward chaos. It is moving toward the visible reign of King Jesus.
This verse also exposes the irrationality of sin. Sin always promises freedom while producing slavery. It promises autonomy while ending in judgment. The sinner imagines they are free from God, when in reality they have become captive to their own rebellion.
Every act or resistance against God is ultimately futile because no one can successfully oppose the Almighty. The old Puritan saying says, “The potsherd cannot shatter the Potter.”
As believers, we should not be surprised when our culture opposes Biblical truth. Psalm 2 tells us that rebellion against God is the natural condition of sinful, fallen humanity. Our response should not be fear, despair, or anger. It should be confidence.
Why? Because Christ is already on the throne. His kingdom cannot fail. His gospel will continue to gather His people from every tribe, tongue, nation, and people until He returns.
Therefore, do not measure God’s kingdom by today’s headlines. Measure today’s headlines by God’s eternal kingdom. When the world appears to be spinning out of control, remember this: The nations rage, but God reigns.

[Tim Adams @TimRAdamsOG]

The Rebellion of the Nations
“Why are the nations in an uproar And the peoples devising a vain thing?” – Psalm 2:1 (NASB)
If Psalm 1 introduces us to the two ways – the way of the righteous and the way of the wicked – Psalm 2 introduces us to the King who rules over both.
These two psalms serve as the inspired gateway to the rest of the Psalter. Psalm 1 is deeply personal. It asks, “Will you delight in the law of the Lord?” Psalm 2 is profoundly universal. It asks, “Will you submit to the Lord’s anointed King?” Together they answer life’s two greatest questions: How should I live? (Psalm 1) And, whom will I serve? (Psalm 2)
Psalm 2 is a royal, messianic, psalm. It’s likely context was the reign of King David. The New Testament unmistakably identifies its ultimate fulfillment in the Lord Jesus Christ. Peter applies it to Christ in Acts 4:25-28, and the writer of Hebrews cites it as referring to Christ’s divine Sonship in Hebrews 1:5 and 5:5. Likewise, Revelation 2:27 and 19:15 point to Christ’s future reign over the nations with “a rod of iron.”
Psalm 2 is one of the clearest Old Testament prophecies of the sovereign reign of Christ. It reminds us that history is not ultimately controlled by presidents, kings, governments, or empires. It is governed by the eternal decree of God, who has installed His Son as King over all creation.
Psalm 2 unfolds in four movements:
1. The rebellion of the nations (vv. 1-3)
2. The response of God the Father (vv. 4-6)
3. The decree concerning God’s Son (vv. 7-9)
4. The call for all people to submit to the King (vv. 10-12)
The first question is one of astonishment, which we will look at next time.

[Tim Adams @TimRAdamsOG]

@FreddyLA7 @PatrickRuffini Thank you @FreddyLA7! I absolutely loved uour travelouge! It helped remind me to appreciate our country and also to travel other places and go off the beaten path.

[Tim Adams @TimRAdamsOG]

The Two Ways and Their Eternal End
“For the LORD knows the way of the righteous, But the way of the wicked will perish.”– Psalm 1:6 (NASB)
Psalm 1 concludes where it began – with two ways. Throughout these six verses, the psalmist has drawn a sharp line between two kinds of people, two ways of living, and two eternal destinies. Notice, there is no third category. There is no middle road. Every person is traveling one of two paths. The final verse summarizes the entire message of the psalm.
“For the LORD knows the way of the righteous…” At first glance, this statement seems rather simple. Of course, God knows everything: He knows every person. He knows our every thought. He knows our every action. But the word “knows” means far more than mere awareness.
Throughout Scripture, the word “knows” often speaks of an intimate love, covenant relationship, personal care, and sovereign watchfulness. For example, God “knew”Abraham (Genesis 18:19). He “knew” Israel as His covenant people (Amos 3:2). Jesus declared in John 10:14, “I am the good shepherd, and I know My own and My own know Me.”
The Lord’s knowledge is the knowledge of covenant love. It is the knowledge of a Father who watches over His children, a Shepherd who guard His sheep, a Redeemer who never loses those whom He has purchased.
This verse beautifully expresses the doctrines of God’s sovereign election and the perseverance of the saints. God’s knowledge of His people is not passive observation. It is active, covenantal love. Before we ever knew Him, He knew us. Before we ever sought Him, He sought us. Before we ever loved Him, He set His love upon us. As Paul wrote, “He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world…” (Ephesians 1:4). This is the believer’s greatest comfort.
You see, our security does not rest upon how tightly we hold onto God. It rests upon the fact that God never let’s go of us. Every step of the righteous is under His loving care. Every trial is governed by His providence. Every sorrow is known to Him. Every tear is seen. Every act of obedience is remembered.
If you are a believer, nothing in your life escapes the attention of the heavenly Father. The Lord not only knows the destination of the righteous. He knows every step along your journey.
“But the way of the wicked will perish.” The contrast is absolute. The Lord knows the righteous. The way of the wicked perishes. Notice the wording here. The psalmist does not merely say the wicked will perish. He says their “way”will perish.
This means that everything they have built apart from God will ultimately come to nothing. Their worldview, ambitions, rebellion, accomplishments, kingdoms, and their self-made identities. All of it will pass away.
Jesus echoed this truth in Matthew 7:13, “Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it.” It may appear attractive. It may be crowded. It may seem successful. But it ends in utter ruin.
The word “perish”speaks of complete destruction – not annihilation, but everlasting ruin under the righteous judgment of God. This verse affirms the sobering reality of eternal judgment. Those who reject Christ remain under God’s wrath. This is not because God delights in judgment, but because His holiness demands justice.
Yet even here the gospel shines brightly. Christs Himself entered the place of judgment for His people. On the cross, He endured the wrath that His sheep deserved. He perished under divine judgment so that all who trust in Him would never perish but have everlasting life (John 3:16).
The two ways of Psalm 1 ultimately lead us to two representative men: Adam and Christ. In Adam, all are born on the broad road that leads to destruction. In Christ, believers are transferred to the narrow way that leads to life. The righteous are not those who have earned God’s favor. They are those who have been clothed in the righteousness of Jesus Christ.
As we conclude this magnificent introduction to the Psalms, we can see its beautiful progression. The blessed man rejects the world’s counsel (v.1). He delights in God’s Word (v.2). He is rooted and fruitful (v.3). The wicked are unstable and empty (v.4). They cannot stand before God’s judgment (v.5). And finally, the Lord lovingly knows His people while the way of the wicked ends in destruction (v.6).
Everything that follows in the remaining 149 psalms unfolds under these foundational truths. The Psalms teach us how those who belong to God worship Him, trust Him, repent before Him, suffer with Him, rejoice in Him, and hope in His coming as King. Throughout every page, they point us to Jesus Christ – the truly Blessed Man of Psalm 1.
Christ alone perfectly delighted in God’s law. He alone bore perfect fruit. He alone stood righteous before God. And through faith in Him, sinners become righteous and are welcomed into the family of God.
The Book of Psalms opens with a question every reader must answer: Which path are you on? Not, “What do others think of you?’ Not, “Are you religious?” Not, “Do you attend church?” But: Are you known by the Lord?
If you belong to Christ, take great comfort. Your heavenly Father knows every step of your journey. He knows your struggles. He knows your victories. He knows your tears. He knows your weaknesses. And because He knows you, He will never abandon you.
So, walk confidently in His promises. Delight continually in His Word. Bear fruit through His grace. And remember that your future is secure because the Lord Himself knows your way.

[Tim Adams @TimRAdamsOG]

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[Tim Adams @TimRAdamsOG]

Unable to Stand Before God
“Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, Nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.”– Psalm 1:5 (NASB)
Psalm 1 has been steadily moving to this moment. The Psalm began with two paths in verses 1 and 2. Then it presented two lives in verses 3 and 4. Now it reveals two eternal destinies. The contrast could not be more sobering. The tree still stands, the chaff is blown away, and now the wicked stand before the Judge of all the earth.
“Therefore…”This word connects verse 5 to everything that has come before. Because the wicked have rejected God’s counsel, refused His Word, lived apart from Him, there is now an unavoidable consequence. God’s judgment.
The Bible consistently teaches that history is moving toward a final day of accountability. Every person who has ever lived will one day stand before God. This truth is woven throughout both the Old and New Testaments. Jesus Himself declared in John 5:22, “For not even the Father judged anyone, but He has given all judgment to the Son.”The Judge before whom every person will stand is none other than the Lord Jesus Christ.
“The wicked will not stand in the judgment…” This does not mean the wicked will be absent from the judgment. Rather, it means they will not be able to “stand”in the sense of being acquitted or vindicated. The courtroom imagery is unmistakable here. The evidence is complete. The verdict is certain. The guilty have no defense.
This verse highlights God’s perfect justice. God does not judge the way we judge; according to appearances. His judgment is holy, righteous, impartial, and final. Every secret thought, careless word, hidden motive, and sinful act. Nothing escapes His perfect knowledge.
This reality should humble every one of us. For apart from Christ, none could stand. Paul wrote in Romans 3:10, “There is none righteous, not even one.” Left to ourselves, every human being belongs among the wicked described in this Psalm.
The only reason any sinner will stand accepted before God is because another stood condemned in his place. Jesus Christ bore the judgment His people deserved. At the cross, the righteous One was treated as guilty so that guilty sinners could be declared righteous through faith alone. This is the glorious doctrine of justification.
Believers do not stand before God because of their righteousness. They stand clothed in Christ’s righteousness. When the Judge looks upon His redeemed people, He sees the perfect obedience of His Son credited to their accouint. The only people who will stand in the judgment are those who are hidden in Christ.
“Nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.” The psalmist now looks beyond the courtroom to the eternal congregation of God’s people. The “assembly of the righteous”points ultimately to God’s redeemed people gathered forever in His presence.
Throughout history, believers and non-believers live side by side. The wheat grows among the tares. The sheep live among the goats. The visible church contains both genuine believers and mere professors. But not forever.
A day of separation is coming. Jesus spoke repeatedly of this final division. On that day there will be no hypocrisy, no false profession, and no secret unbelief. Only those who belong to Christ will remain in the eternal assembly of the redeemed.
This verse reminds us that the visible church and the invisible church are not identical. Many may associate externally with God’s people, but only those who have been regenerated by the Holy Spirit and justified through faith in Christ belong to the true assembly of the righteous.
This is why self-examination is so important. Church attendance alone cannot save. Religious activity cannot save. Good works cannot save. Only Christ saves. The question is not merely, “Do I attend the assembly?” The question is “Do I belong to Christ?”
If you were stand before God today, on what would you base your confidence? Your morality? Your church membership? Your ministry? Your good deeds? Or Christ alone?
The Gospel invites us to abandon every confidence in ourselves and place our entire hope in the finished work of Jesus Christ. For those who belong to Him, judgment is no longer a day to fear but a day to anticipate.
Because the Judge is also our Redeemer. Live each day in light of eternity. Examine your heart honestly. Rest completely in Christ. And proclaim this Gospel boldly, for there are many who are still unprepared to stand before God.

[Tim Adams @TimRAdamsOG]

The Instability of the Wicked
“The wicked are not so, But they are like chaff which the wind drives away.”– Psalm 1:4 (NASB)
With striking contrast here, the psalmist now turns from the righteous to the wicked. Throughout Psalm 1, we have seen two lives, two paths, and ultimately two destinies set before us. The righteous are like a flourishing tree. The wicked are like worthless chaff. There is no middle ground. There are only two eternal destinations.
“The wicked are not so…”These four words overturn everything that was said about the righteous. The wicked are not blessed. They are not firmly planted. They do not delight in God’s Word. They do not bear lasting fruit. They do not prosper in the ways that matter most. Everything that gives stability is absent from the life of the wicked.
This distinction is rooted in the doctrine of regeneration. The difference between the righteous and the wicked is not that one is naturally better than the other. Scripture teaches that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). The righteous are those who have been made alive by God’s sovereign grace through faith in Christ. The wicked remain in their natural state, spiritually dead and alienated from God.
The difference is not human merit. It is divine grace.
“But they are like chaff…” This is one of the Bible’s most vivid pictures of spiritual emptiness. After grain was harvested, it was taken to the threshing floor where the kernels were separated from the husks. The valuable grain fell to the ground, but the chaff – the dry, weightless outer shell – was carried away by the wind.
Chaff, you see, has no life. It has no nourishment. It has no permanence. It has no value. Unlike the deeply rooted tree in verse 3, chaff has no roots at all. It is completely at the mercy of the wind.
What an accurate picture of life apart from God. The wicked may appear successful for a season. They may possess wealth, influence, education, or fame. But apart from Christ, their lives lack eternal substance. Their accomplishment cannot and will not withstand the judgment of God.
Jesus asked in Matthew 16;26, “For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul?” Without Christ, every earthly achievement is ultimately – like chaff – weightless.
“Which the wind drives away.” The wind requires no effort. The chaff offers no resistance. It is simply carried wherever the wind takes it. This is the tragedy of the unbelieving life. Without God, there is no spiritual anchor. There is no lasting foundation. There is no eternal security.
The wicked are driven by changing desires, shifting philosophies, cultural trends, and worldly ambitions. One generation follows one ideology. Another generation follows another ideology. Human wisdom constantly changes because it is not rooted in eternal truth. By contrast, the believer stands firm because he or she is rooted in God’s unchanging Word.
There is another sobering implication here. Throughout Scripture, wind is often associated with God’s judgment. John the Baptist used this same imagery when speaking of Christ: “His winnowing fork is in His hand…but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire” (Matthew 3:12).
Psalm 1 is already pointing us toward the final judgment that will be described more fully in verse 5. The instability of the wicked in this life anticipates their ultimate accountability before God.
This verse reminds us that every life that is not rooted in Christ is ultimately temporary and subject to God’s wrath and judgment. While God’s common grace allows non-believers to experience many earthly blessings, those blessings cannot provide eternal security. Only Christ can and only the gospel gives permanence.
Where are you seeking stability in your life? Our culture encourages us to build our identity on careers, possessions, achievements, popularity, or personal success. Psalm 1 reminds us that everything that is not rooted in God is ultimately like chaff. Only Christ provides a foundation that cannot be shaken. As believers, we should also examine what we are investing our lives in.
Are you pursuing things that will last for eternity? Or are you devoting yourself to pursuits that will one day be blown away?
Live for what is eternal. Sink your roots deeply into Christ. The tree and the chaff may exist side by side today. But eternity will reveal the difference.

[Tim Adams @TimRAdamsOG]

The Rooted Life – Part 3
“And its leaf does not wither…” This picture here is one of spiritual vitality. The righteous experience hardship. They face trials. They endure suffering. Yet, they do not spiritually dry up because their life is sustained by God Himself.
This does not mean that believers do not suffer, they do. David certainly struggled. Job struggled. Paul struggled. But because their roots reached the living water of God’s grace, they endured.
This is another beautiful picture of the perseverance of the saints. God preserves His people. Though they may bend under fierce winds, they do not ultimately break. Their perseverance is the result of God’s preserving grace.
“And in whatever he does he prospers.” This final phrase has often been misunderstood and abused. This is not a promise of financial wealth. It is not a guarantee of earthly success. David himself experienced persection. Jeremiah was imprisoned. Paul suffered beatings, shipwreck, imprisonment, and eventually martyrdom. None of them would fit the modern prosperity gospel movement. The prosperity that is described here is covenantal and spiritual. Everything the righteous undertake in submission to God’s will ultimately accomplishes God’s good purposes. Their lives are eternally fruitful.
Even suffering becomes profitable because God uses it for sanctification and His glory. As Paul wrote in Romans 8:28, “We know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God…” The believer prospers because God’s purposes for him never fail. His greatest prosperity is conformity to Christ.
Where are your roots today? Are they reaching deeply into the living waters of God’s Word, or are they drawing nourishment from the passing things of this world?
The storms of life reveal the depth of our roots. Trials do not create instability; they expose it. If you desire lasting spiritual strength, cultivate deep roots through daily communion with God.
Read His Word. Meditate on His truth. Pray consistently. Worship faithfully with His people. Trust Him through every season of life. Fruit cannot be manufactured. It grows. Naturally from a life rooted in Christ.
As our Lord Jesus said in John 15:4-5, “Abide in Me, and I in you…for apart from Me you can do nothing.”
The healthiest Christian is not necessarily the busiest Christian, but the one who remains deeply rooted in Christ.