Psalms 110:1-2
110:1. The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at My right hand, Till I make Your enemies Your footstool.”
110:2. The Lord shall send the rod of Your strength out of Zion. Rule in the midst of Your enemies!
Time for some questions. Let’s start with the question ‘Who’. The people in this passage are David, the writer of this psalm. God, actually Yahweh, the eternal living and breathing one. The Lord, literally Adon, the actual authority that holds control and power over your life.
What is being done here? A promise is made. God promises that a Lord will be caused to sit on his throne where he will reign untill he is surrounded by his enemies laying at his feet.
It seems that among early Jewish leaders there might have been some confusion over this passage. Some may have thought that David is the Lord who will be established, others might have believed it to be a prophecy about the coming Messiah. In Acts 2:34, Peter quotes this same verse and claims the promise wasn’t about David. It was Jesus who ascended into heaven, not David. Of course God is a heavenly being, the Lord mentioned is a heavenly being, and the kingdom to be ruled is a heavenly kingdom. This is about the authority of the Messiah, Jesus the Christ.
Now a look at the promise. Jesus is to sit at God’s right hand. A place of honor, of authority and power. He doesn’t have to do a thing, God will lay the enemies, literally the hated enemies, at his feet. God himself will take that Rod of Strength so Jesus can rule over the enemies. Take the time to read the full 7 verses of this psalm and we also find that Jesus does have followers that are eager to follow his commands. God says what he means, and means what he says. The Lord is also a special priest. God, actually Adonai a title for God, will crush kings and judge of these defeated people.
One thing to be noted about the character of Jesus is that in the writings about his life, he is shown to be compassionate. In this snapshot of his kingdom it isn’t Jesus who defeats and judges his enemies, but God. Jesus holds the priveledge, benefit, and authority of being ruler, but God is the one who takes that Rod and strikes down enemies.
One thing about human nature, we all like to be on the winning side. In this world there might be many popular leaders, or social views, or causes to get behind. Often they sell themselves as being the answer to solve your problems. If those forces don’t include God, they are on shaky ground. If they are opposed to God, they are doomed to be one of the defeated enemies.
Is there a social cause that you want to get behind and support? Is there some world power that you want to be a part of? If it doesn’t support the cause of Christ, it can only lead to disappointment and defeat.
Be on the winning side.