When Saddam Hussein’s Iraqi forces invaded Kuwait on August 2, 1990, the world was outraged. On January 17, 1991, a coalition of 42 nations invaded Iraq in order to beat the Iraqis back into Baghdad. The people in Arabian lands have come a long way from the days of camels and tents. But Saddam was no match for the greatest military might on earth. Imagine supersonic jets and bombers lighting up the dusty nation. Battleships offshore. Tomahawk missiles designed to fight the Soviet Union and Communist China being deployed to ravage Baghdad. It was a stunning display of military might. Iraq attacked a weaker neighbor like a schoolyard bully, and suddenly the SWAT Team showed up at the elementary school. It was crazy.
The term generals used over and over during press conferences was “shock and awe.” The US would overwhelm Iraq with shock and awe. And that was not difficult. Frankly, the TV footage inspired shock and awe at home. It was one of the most lopsided wars in history, the whole thing was over by February 28, only 43 days after it began. How much resistance could Iraq offer, honestly? Hussein may have put a bounty on the head of President Bush, but otherwise, his nation’s response to Operation Desert Storm was forgettable.
Psalm 2 says the nations rage against God, 2:1-3. “The kings of the earth take their stand, and the rulers take counsel together against the Lord and against his Anointed. ‘Let us tear their fetters apart and cast their cords from us!’” Psalm 2:2-3.
How does God feel when the kings of the earth martial armies to attack him?
“The Lord in heaven laughs! He scoffs at them” v4. He laughs. Of course he does. Men cannot fight God. Men cannot even threaten God. He will overwhelm them with SHOCK AND AWE.
“Then he will speak to them in his anger and terrify them in his fury” v5. Again—SHOCK AND AWE.
Have you ever felt overwhelmed by evil? Do you identify with Kuwait, a small nation being invaded by an aggressive, violent neighbor? Does it seem the good guys always lose, bad guys always win? Do you struggle with fear, anxiety, and dread, thinking the world is bad now and getting worse every day? Cheer up!
God is in control. He is. He is sovereign and he will defeat and destroy his enemies with shock and awe.
And until then, remember: “the Lord in Heaven laughs…” 2:4. God is infinitely larger and stronger than any enemy you have. He laughs at their pitifully small threats. Remember, the biggest, scariest enemy is infinitely small compared to God.
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