when God laughs

 

He who sits in the heavens laughs;

the Lord holds them in derision.

Psalm 2:4

It has always been the case that human systems rage against God and His purposes. The second psalm shows us how this happens and how it has no impact on God's sovereign rule. The nations rage and plot, but to comes to no result. The raging against God is ineffective (Psalm 2:1). Yet God is merciful to humanity even in these moments of absolute rebellion against Him.

Even if multiple human systems align together they cannot succeed against God (Psalm 2:2-3). Human institutions see God's rule as "restrictive", "controlling", and "enslaving" like ropes or chains binding the slave (Psalm 2:3). But sin is the real chainmaker and the world's systems are all about controlling the heart and mind against God. And so human beings cast God as the bully in sinful derision of His mercy, not knowing the freedom He longs to give them through the Son. Their derisive plan is a sad, stupid rebellion and that stupidity is one source of God's amusement.

God's response is to maintain His power and laugh at their meager efforts. They cannot succeed. The nations that rage against the Lord and His Anointed in Psalm 2:1-3 are the same nations God promises to give to His Son in Psalm 2:7-8. And He will destroy all vestiges of sinful rebellion in them when He does so (Psalm 2:9).

God offers mercy even as He laughs at human rebellion. Psalm 2 calls those who rage against God to instead repent and worship the Lord (Psalm 2:11). If they do so, they will be blessed rather than judged (Psalm 2:12). God may laugh at sinful rebellion, but He does so with grace in His heart, offering blessing, forgiveness, and favor to those who will repent and trust in Him.

You cannot rage against God. You will find ruin in that effort. But you can repent, serve Him, and rejoice in the blessing of His refuge. It is better to know His joy in salvation than His derision in judgment.