December 7, Deac. Mika Patron

Psalm 2

Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD and against his Anointed, saying, “Let us burst their bonds apart and cast away their cords from us.” He who sits in the heavens laughs; the Lord holds them in derision. Then he will speak to them in his wrath, and terrify them in his fury, saying, “As for me, I have set my King on Zion, my holy hill.” I will tell of the decree: The LORD said to me, “You are my Son; today I have begotten you. Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage, and the ends of the earth your possession. You shall break them with a rod of iron and dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.” Now therefore, O kings, be wise; be warned, O rulers of the earth. Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and you perish in the way, for his wrath is quickly kindled. Blessed are all who take refuge in him.

“Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain?” You and I look around, and we see all of the carnage of war and political unrest. “Where is the King?” we ask. Our God is the King of creation, but it sure doesn’t look like it; it seems like He’s abandoned us. Yet listen to what He says: “I have set my King on Zion, my holy hill.” Yes, our God is seated on His throne, but we don’t see it. All we see are the news headlines that go from bad to worse. All we experience are the divisions in our schools, homes, and churches. And if we’re honest with ourselves, we see the dark, frightening chaos in our own hearts as well. We see all the great ruins, but our Lord by His ruined body, rest in the tomb, and triumphant ascension has begun His kingly reign. Yes, God has set His King, and He gives us simple signs of His reign. The baptismal word spoken by our Heavenly Father is set upon our lips to share with one another: “You are loved; I delight in you.” His Kingly proclamation: “I forgive you,” is placed in our ears by our pastor and our loved ones and in our mouths to share. His reconciling body and blood are set in our mouths to strengthen our faith and reconciliation. Let these simple signs be little proclamations to you of WHO truly reigns today as King of the nations.

Deac. Mika Patron

Deaconess, Grace Lutheran Church, Auburn, Michigan

Christ Academy High School Proctor, 2018 Christ Academy: High School Professor, 2022