I have worn myself out pondering, and reading, and writing about these issues over the past several weeks. I was so exhausted that as I drove up to the ER I'm working this weekend this evening I punched up some music I only listen to during the Christmas/Advent season: Handel's Messiah.
As I drove I let the music and the lyrics have their way with me, not thinking, just feeling... and my worries melted away when I heard the movement (Part II, Scene 6), "Why do the nations rage?" Sung by the bass soloist, which is of course taken from Psalm 2:
1 Why are the nations in an uproar? And why do the peoples mutter in vain?
2 The kings of the earth stand up, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against His anointed:
3 'Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us.'
4 He that sitteth in heaven laugheth, the Lord hath them in derision.
5 Then will He speak unto them in His wrath, and affright them in His sore displeasure:
6 'Truly it is I that have established My king upon Zion, My holy mountain.'
7 I will tell of the decree: the LORD said unto me: 'Thou art My son, this day have I begotten thee.
8 Ask of Me, and I will give the nations for thine inheritance, and the ends of the earth for thy possession.
9 Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel.'
10 Now therefore, O ye kings, be wise; be admonished, ye judges of the earth.
11 Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling.
12 Do homage in purity, lest He be angry, and ye perish in the way, when suddenly His wrath is kindled.
Happy are all they that take refuge in Him.
It seems prophetic to me at this time in history, and a great comfort. YMMV.
