True Freedom

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November 27, 2011

“Why do the nations conspire
and the peoples plot in vain?
The kings of the earth take their stand
and the rulers gather together
against the LORD
and against his Anointed One.
‘Let us break their chains,’ they say,
‘and throw off their fetters.’" — Psalm 2:1-3

King David wrote these words possibly as he faced a conspiracy against Israel by her surrounding enemies. But as he took note of their plotting and planning, David remained confident. Why? Because he knew that the God of Israel, of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, was in total control. He knew, without a doubt, that he had been chosen and appointed by God and that God would fulfill His promises to him.

Do we have that same confidence of the spirit?

The truth is, despite what we read in the headlines every morning or watch on the evening news, God is in control. He alone is all-powerful. He alone created the world. God knew about every empire then, and every world power today, before they even came into being (Daniel 2:26-45). Yet, throughout history and even today, the world and its leaders shake their fists at God — and His people — and declare their autonomy from him.

And what does God do? David tells us in verse 4: “The One enthroned in heaven laughs, the LORD scoffs at them.” God laughs at the nations much in the same way a parent laughs at her three-year-old who stomps his feet and declares that he can “do it himself.” Just as a parent knows the child’s boundaries and what he can — and cannot — do, God knows us thoroughly. He knows what a nation can or cannot do because He has set the boundaries.

We, too, can be tempted to believe that we are in control and free of God’s “fetters” and rule. Yet, inevitably we all serve someone — whether it’s an organization, another leader, or even our own selfish desires. We can only be truly free when we wholeheartedly serve and follow the One who created us in the first place. When we do that, we can have the same confidence that David did and enjoy God’s blessing on us.

With prayers for shalom, peace,


Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein
President