Davos is one of the largest ski resorts in Switzerland. It is also the venue for the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum which seems to be panicking with the frightening possibility that the world economy is on the verge of careering down a slippery slope to a dreadful catastrophe that will adversely affect the entire population of the planet. The leader of Hong Kong, Donald Tsang was heard to comment, “I’ve never been as scared as now about the whole world, what is happening in Europe”. Economist Nouriel Roubiul stated, “It’s a world of chaos that can lead to potential conflicts”. The rulers and intellectual elite of the nations are embroiled in disagreements and stumped for solutions. Fear of a dark future grips the assembly. Global finances are in disarray. Heads of countries cannot find unanimity as to how to deal with threats from such potential aggressors as Iran and North Korea. Davos addresses only a few of the world’s mounting problems. Every nation seems to be sitting astride situations that could suddenly implode. Conflicts between nations and within nations seem insoluble. We are left seriously wondering whether current politicians and officials are the folk of necessary calibre to cope with our multiple crises. The catalogue of man-made calamities and natural tragedies enlarges by the week. Domestic life, civic life, international affairs, are rife with division and strife. You can understand why Australian actor Peter Finch, in the cinematic role of a news reader, finally boiled over and blew up with the shriek, “I’m not putting up with this any more!”. And that was decades ago. The situation is far worse since then. Today, frank reports behind closed doors are causing men’s hearts to fail them with fear. The world is a mammoth powder keg with a million fuses. Any sudden event or hasty action could ignite any one or many of them in an instant. Human life and welfare on earth are precarious. Our world is unsafe because of sinful and savage human hearts that war against God and each other.
Whole continents, countries, and communities are in open conflict with God as they rebel against him, war against his word, and revoke his laws. With arrogance and aberrant wills “lawmakers” facilitate lawlessness by annulment of the moral code of our Christian heritage and condoning and encouraging delinquent behaviour in every area of private and civic life. Corruption screams from the high places and personal lives endeavour to conceal the practice of private sins that degrade our humanity and diminish or destroy others. Behind many neighbourhood doors there are many loveless and unhappy homes dominated by hurtful relationships or harmful habits. The rage within each human heart is contributing its part to a colossal, cataclysmic storm that will overwhelm us all unless God raises his pacifying hand against it through the influences of his grace.
Davos represents the great ones of the world grappling with the struggles, problems, and conflicts of the world with the best wits and wisdom that mankind can summon. It is man relying on man and leaning on his own resources and ingenuity. Perhaps in the providential goodness of God such international and political exercises in diplomacy and discussion will be able to alleviate current and looming troubles temporarily, but the errant will and selfish desires of human beings will always perpetuate the cruelty and chaos that every age of man has had to endure. The study of history is a heartbreaking occupation, a record of human misery and misconduct. Purely human optimism is unfounded.
In spite of all the doleful prospects ahead of us, and the experts are not holding back (unless its more bad news than we can take), the season of Epiphany is a season of bright hope. It encourages us to concentrate on a kingdom, not of this world, where justice, righteousness, love, and joy will prevail. King David of Jerusalem was a chosen but exceedingly flawed symbol of this perfect reign that the prophesied Lord Jesus would himself fulfil. Until now the human race has registered its vote: we will not have this man to rule over us. But he has come as God’s promise to an ailing world and by God’s power he will reign.
Most probably it was David who, from his own circumstances related to divine revelation, was able to forecast in the second psalm the installation of the ideal king that he prefigured. In Psalm 2 David outlines a fallen world’s refusal to pay homage to the Lord’s Anointed. Self reliance and man’s preferred policy clashes with the holy will of God which is seen to be restrictive of personal or national ambition. Pride and avarice motivate people and potentates, political and profit -seeking. Power, envy, and greed fuel their careers of influence and exploitation. They throw off the fetters of compassion and responsibility forgetting that all offices of authority are opportunities for service of God and their fellows. They can become despotic and neurotic abusing their people at whim or using them for personal convenience, advancement, gratification, and enrichment. Violation of human dignity and unwarranted violence are infringements of God’s great second commandment – the love of neighbour. Failure to defer to him in all things and honour his Name is to revolt against his sovereignty and waive his commands. Genuine love and reverence for God is scarcely discernible on the world scene. Therefore our woes and misfortunes are self-wrought.
In his benevolence towards us God has pledged a regime change for mankind to be administered by the Royal Prince of heaven. He has been appointed and equipped by the One enthroned. The entire earth is his inheritance and he will come to put things right in his domain. Evil will not be tolerated and recalcitrant evil -doers will be overcome and expelled. The tables will be turned and the haughty, hardened scoffers of God will find themselves scoffed at by God and hear his laughter ringing in their ears. It is to be a resounding victory for the Lord of righteousness and good.
Scripture appeals to the great ones of the earth to learn humility and dependence before God. An amnesty is always broadcast to the nations and they are persuaded to turn to the Lord as their counsellor and refuge. Judgement until the final assessment is always conditional. Predictions of future events and especially the last times are always hazardous and usually impertinent. But we are warned that every trend is a portent of the end and the culmination of our tenancy on earth. Some time the day to end all days will dawn and everyone will be called to account. Every knee will bow and the sons of the kingdom will pay sincere obeisance to their Lord. They have waited and watched for him. They have anguished over the crimes and ills of the men of the world. They will have commended the kingdom to come and pointed to the Saviour who will institute it in due course. They will have pined for men to kiss the Son and be the recipients of his welcoming kiss for them. They will have thrilled to the pronouncement of the Epiphany-tide blessing: Christ the Son of God gladden your hearts with the good news of his kingdom. Amen. Therefore, you kings be wise; be warned, you rulers of the earth. Serve the Lord with fear and rejoice with trembling (Ps 2:10-11).
Whole continents, countries, and communities are in open conflict with God as they rebel against him, war against his word, and revoke his laws. With arrogance and aberrant wills “lawmakers” facilitate lawlessness by annulment of the moral code of our Christian heritage and condoning and encouraging delinquent behaviour in every area of private and civic life. Corruption screams from the high places and personal lives endeavour to conceal the practice of private sins that degrade our humanity and diminish or destroy others. Behind many neighbourhood doors there are many loveless and unhappy homes dominated by hurtful relationships or harmful habits. The rage within each human heart is contributing its part to a colossal, cataclysmic storm that will overwhelm us all unless God raises his pacifying hand against it through the influences of his grace.
Davos represents the great ones of the world grappling with the struggles, problems, and conflicts of the world with the best wits and wisdom that mankind can summon. It is man relying on man and leaning on his own resources and ingenuity. Perhaps in the providential goodness of God such international and political exercises in diplomacy and discussion will be able to alleviate current and looming troubles temporarily, but the errant will and selfish desires of human beings will always perpetuate the cruelty and chaos that every age of man has had to endure. The study of history is a heartbreaking occupation, a record of human misery and misconduct. Purely human optimism is unfounded.
In spite of all the doleful prospects ahead of us, and the experts are not holding back (unless its more bad news than we can take), the season of Epiphany is a season of bright hope. It encourages us to concentrate on a kingdom, not of this world, where justice, righteousness, love, and joy will prevail. King David of Jerusalem was a chosen but exceedingly flawed symbol of this perfect reign that the prophesied Lord Jesus would himself fulfil. Until now the human race has registered its vote: we will not have this man to rule over us. But he has come as God’s promise to an ailing world and by God’s power he will reign.
Most probably it was David who, from his own circumstances related to divine revelation, was able to forecast in the second psalm the installation of the ideal king that he prefigured. In Psalm 2 David outlines a fallen world’s refusal to pay homage to the Lord’s Anointed. Self reliance and man’s preferred policy clashes with the holy will of God which is seen to be restrictive of personal or national ambition. Pride and avarice motivate people and potentates, political and profit -seeking. Power, envy, and greed fuel their careers of influence and exploitation. They throw off the fetters of compassion and responsibility forgetting that all offices of authority are opportunities for service of God and their fellows. They can become despotic and neurotic abusing their people at whim or using them for personal convenience, advancement, gratification, and enrichment. Violation of human dignity and unwarranted violence are infringements of God’s great second commandment – the love of neighbour. Failure to defer to him in all things and honour his Name is to revolt against his sovereignty and waive his commands. Genuine love and reverence for God is scarcely discernible on the world scene. Therefore our woes and misfortunes are self-wrought.
In his benevolence towards us God has pledged a regime change for mankind to be administered by the Royal Prince of heaven. He has been appointed and equipped by the One enthroned. The entire earth is his inheritance and he will come to put things right in his domain. Evil will not be tolerated and recalcitrant evil -doers will be overcome and expelled. The tables will be turned and the haughty, hardened scoffers of God will find themselves scoffed at by God and hear his laughter ringing in their ears. It is to be a resounding victory for the Lord of righteousness and good.
Scripture appeals to the great ones of the earth to learn humility and dependence before God. An amnesty is always broadcast to the nations and they are persuaded to turn to the Lord as their counsellor and refuge. Judgement until the final assessment is always conditional. Predictions of future events and especially the last times are always hazardous and usually impertinent. But we are warned that every trend is a portent of the end and the culmination of our tenancy on earth. Some time the day to end all days will dawn and everyone will be called to account. Every knee will bow and the sons of the kingdom will pay sincere obeisance to their Lord. They have waited and watched for him. They have anguished over the crimes and ills of the men of the world. They will have commended the kingdom to come and pointed to the Saviour who will institute it in due course. They will have pined for men to kiss the Son and be the recipients of his welcoming kiss for them. They will have thrilled to the pronouncement of the Epiphany-tide blessing: Christ the Son of God gladden your hearts with the good news of his kingdom. Amen. Therefore, you kings be wise; be warned, you rulers of the earth. Serve the Lord with fear and rejoice with trembling (Ps 2:10-11).
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