Psalm Book PDF

Psalm Two “Aslan, a man!” said Mr Beaver sternly. “Certainly not. I tell you he is the King of the wood and the son of the great Emperor-beyond-the

What would you do if you met a lion? Have you ever had a similar experience? Maybe you’ve seen a lion from a safe distance in a zoo or on safari—or maybe your closest comparison is the Floyd County bear in your backyard. If you’ve ever had the privilege of interacting with this kind of wild animal, you will know that they are awe inspiring…and sometimes terrifying. Lions are beautiful, graceful, regal— they’re called the King of Beasts for a reason— but they are also powerful hunters and fighters. Their strength is a comfort to those they lovingly protect and provide for, but a terror to their enemies. It’s not surprising, then, that when four children wandering through the fictional world of Narnia hear that the animals’ king is a Lion, it gives them pause. They ask the question: Is he safe? Of course, when we talk about an animal being “safe” or “tame,” what we’re really asking is whether or not we have control over it. Does it obey when we give it commands? Does it behave predictably? Is there any chance it could harm anyone? We don’t mind strength or power when it serves us, but what about when it is too strong for us? Consider the “kings of earth” that Psalm 2 describes. They have strength and power themselves, but when a higher, more powerful King appears over them, they definitely mind. They reject his kingship and compare the authority of the LORD to “ropes” and “chains” (v. 3) They do not want to be ruled over— they want to do the ruling. So, like so many of us, they choose to rebel. They “take their stand and…conspire together against the LORD and his anointed one” (v. 2). They seek to “tear off their chains and throw their ropes off of [them]” (v. 3). The nations, the peoples, the kings, and the rulers all rebel against God’s Anointed One, the King and Son that he has chosen to reign over the earth. Have you ever felt this way? Is there a command or an instruction in God’s Word that you don’t want to follow? Maybe it feels too restrictive or unnecessary or old-fashioned. You’re not alone. Our world is fallen because Adam and Eve came up against the boundary line of God’s authority and decided it was a chain to tear off. We would much rather have a say in what is called right and wrong, good and bad, wisdom and foolishness. The trouble is that God cannot be tamed to our will. The idea of mankind controlling “the one enthroned in heaven” who gives the earth as a possession, and can shatter the nations like pottery is laughable (v. 4, 8-9). “Our God is in heaven and does whatever He pleases” (Ps. 115:3). We can no more harness Him than we can the wind. But, what we may find restrictive– what we may call chains– God calls a “refuge” (v. 12). Jesus, his Anointed One, sometimes called the Lion of Judah, may not be predictable or tameable, but He is good. His plan for

Sea. Don’t you know who is the King of Beasts? Aslan is a lion — the Lion, the great Lion.” “Ooh!” said Susan, “I’d thought he was a man. Is he — quite safe? I shall feel rather nervous about meeting a lion.” “That you will, dearie, and no mistake,” said Mrs Beaver; “if there’s anyone who can appear before Aslan without their knees knocking, they’re either braver than most or else just silly.”

“Then he isn’t safe?” said Lucy.

“Safe?” said Mr Beaver; “don’t you hear what Mrs. Beaver tells you? Who said anything about safe? ‘Course he isn’t safe. But he’s good. He’s the King, I tell you.”

-C. S. Lewis, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe