Prancing Ponies Before the King

by David Haberstock

It is accomplished. It was planned from the foundation of the earth (Ephesians 1:3-4). So why do nations still fret (Psalm 2:1)? Why do they stamp their feet like prancing ponies or petulant pre-schoolers, slamming doors like tantrumming teens yelling at their parents, “I hate you. You’re ruining my life. I wish I’d never been born.”

But the slammed door does not change the facts; the angry teen has been born. Likewise, the kings of the earth can plan all they want (Psalm 2:2), but it does not change the facts; Christ has come. The kings of the world can’t change what the Lord has planned or what the Lord has done. For our Lord’s birth and death have carved out for Him a bulwark, a people, a nation, a Church, a mountain, in the midst of His rebellious creation, by which He saves some from the raging flood of their sin.

So why do we, the Church, fret and pout at the times and trends? Is not our Lord in charge? Has He not established His Church? Has He not established her as chief amongst all the religious powers (Isaiah 2:2)? Has He not set His King on His holy hill (Psalm 2:6)? Has He not raised up the mount of His salvation in the sight of all the nations (Psalm 98:2; John 12:32; 3:14)? Of course He has! This mountain of God alone has salvation, for it alone has the Lord of heaven and earth seated on it and in it (Psalm 2:6).

The Bible has many images of God. He is like a caring mother (Isaiah 66:13), crying for her lost children and longing to gather them into her embrace and protect them (Matthew 23:37). But we dare not forget that He is also a great King whose will cannot be thwarted (Psalm 2:4-6). He lives in the heavens. His position is unassailable by any human foe. Even though worldly rulers might seek to pour out their wrath against Him or His Church, they cannot touch Him. They cannot thwart His plans. Though they ready themselves for war against the Lord and His anointed (Psalm 2:2), though Herod and so many rulers since have tried to slaughter and stamp out Christ and His Church (Matthew 2:16-20), the living One of heaven laughs (Psalm 2:4). He turns up His nose and ridicules them for their foolishness. The flood of words from His mouth terrifies and sets the powerful of our world into fits (Psalm 2:7-9).

His intense desire for our salvation established His king on His holy hill. By His declaration it has happened. It is as if He were saying: “Though you set yourselves against Me, I have established My Son for you. And lifted Him above you. You are His, O nations of the earth, to do with as He pleases. And as My Son, He does what pleases Me.”

Therefore, He judges you in love. From His cross-crowned hill, He said of you: “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34). But make no mistake. This Child, this Son of God is just. He will judge your sins (Psalm 2:10-12). He has already made His declaration from His holy hill. “Forgive them,” He said.

So be wise. Turn to Him. Serve Him in love. Kiss this baby boy born for you this day (Psalm 2:12). Embrace and love Him in your heart. Trust in His declaration of forgiveness for you, for the righteous judgement of His Father is in Him. It burns for the Day of His return, and that judgement is mercy for those who take refuge in Him. So this day, you who hope in Him have His eternal blessing and the wonders of His love.

Rev. David Haberstock is Lutheran Church–Canada (LCC)'s Central Regional Pastor.