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Why does God laugh? Because He has already installed His King—Jesus. His purposes will not fail. No rebellion can dethrone Him. No uprising can unsettle Him. Jesus reigns.

Psalm 2 shifts from rebellion to resolution. God says, “I have set My King on Zion.” It’s not a plan; it’s a done deal. Jesus has been enthroned through His resurrection and ascension. Every knee will bow. Every tongue will confess. It's inevitable.

Clif Johnson emphasizes: we live in the already-but-not-yet tension. Christ reigns now, but His final visible kingdom is still unfolding. Our job? Spread His reign by proclaiming His gospel. Live unshaken. Worship with confidence. Press on with hope.

When anxiety rises—about politics, culture, the future—Psalm 2 calls us to remember: the King is already on the throne. And we belong to Him.

Prayer Points:

• King Jesus, anchor my heart in the certainty of Your reign.

• Help me live like someone who serves a victorious King, not a defeated one.

• Use me to advance Your kingdom, one act of love, truth, and courage at a time.

2 People To Pray For Regino Acuna and his family, our National Changemakers in Paraguay The Fipa Lifeword broadcast for the people of Tanzania

Summary: The King is already crowned. His victory is already sealed. Stand tall in His triumph.

After laying out the rebellion of the nations and the laughter of heaven, Psalm 2 ends with a call: Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son.

In ancient culture, kissing a king's hand or feet was a sign of homage and loyalty. To "kiss the Son" means to bow the knee now in willing surrender before He comes in judgment.

This isn't just a message for ancient kings. It's for us. We've all rebelled. We all must heed the warning. Submission to Christ isn't optional; it’s urgent.

Clif Johnson reminds us: Psalm 2 isn’t just warning others out there—it’s calling us to respond personally. The mercy is immense ("Blessed are all who take refuge in Him"), but so is the danger ("Kiss the Son, lest He be angry"). This is no time for lukewarm half-measures. It’s full-hearted surrender or self-chosen ruin.

Prayer Points:

• Jesus, teach me to serve You with reverent joy and trembling wonder.

• Let my life be a visible kiss of allegiance to You every day.

• Keep me from cold, casual Christianity—ignite deep devotion.

2 People To Pray For Pablo Munoz and his family, our National Changemakers in Chile The Fante Lifeword broadcast for the people of Ghana

Summary: There’s no neutral ground with Jesus. Bow now in worship—or bow later in regret.

Psalm 2 shows us humanity’s default posture toward God—rebellion. Nations rage, kings take counsel, rulers plot. The Hebrew word for "plot" means to mutter or murmur under your breath—like conspirators huddling in a dark alley, scheming how to throw off God's reign.

Why this anger? Why this stubbornness? Verse 3 tells us: they see God’s authority as bondage. They see His laws, His standards, His goodness—and call it chains. They don't want a King; they want autonomy.

But rebellion against God isn't just the posture of ancient kings or modern nations—it’s also the bent of our own hearts. We resist authority. We want to call the shots. Psalm 2 doesn’t just describe "them"; it diagnoses "us."

Clif Johnson reminds us that this psalm first applied to David and Israel—but ultimately points to Christ. Herod and Pontius Pilate, Jews and Gentiles alike, united against Jesus, fulfilling this ancient rage. And yet, even their rebellion was folded into God's redemptive plan.

Prayer Points:

• Father, reveal areas in my heart where I still resist Your authority.

• Forgive me for calling Your good boundaries "chains."

• Teach me to delight in Your reign rather than resist it.

2 People To Pray For Marco Gaspar and his family, our National Changemakers in Portugal The Ewe Lifeword broadcast for the people of Benin, Ghana & Togo

Summary: Human rebellion may roar loud, but God's reign remains undefeated—and so must our surrender.

Fully Integrated Faith: Lessons from the Released Church
with Rob Wegner, KC Underground

In this standout episode, Jake McCandless welcomes Rob Wegner, co-founder of KC Underground, to unpack how the decentralized, disciple-making model of the early church can transform the way we parent today.

Drawing from his years of experience catalyzing movements in both India and the U.S., Rob shares how microchurches and spiritual families—built on rhythms of worship, community, and mission—mirror the practices of the Book of Acts. More importantly, he shows how these rhythms shape children into lifelong disciples.

This episode is a masterclass in parenting as discipleship. Rob outlines simple, powerful rhythms—like the B.L.E.S.S. model—that any family can adopt: Begin in prayer, Listen, Eat together, Serve others, and Share stories of God’s work. He also emphasizes the vital role of multi-generational spiritual families and how integrating children into the life of the church, rather than segmenting them away, builds faith that lasts.

💡 Key takeaways for parents:

• Faith must be lived with our children, not just taught to them.

• Everyday moments—meals, walks, and bedtime—can become spiritual milestones.

• Children grow in their faith best through shared mission, joy, and vulnerability in the home.

📘 Get Rob’s Book: The Starfish and the Spirit
🌐 Visit KC Underground: https://www.kcunderground.org

Stand Firm Parents is a production of Stand Firm Ministries in partnership with LifeWord Studios.

Rob Wegner Bio

Rob Wegner is a leading voice in the missional movement and the co-founder of KC Underground—a decentralized network of disciple-making microchurches across Kansas City. He also serves with NewThing and Exponential’s Microchurch.Next initiative. Rob is the co-author of The Starfish and the Spirit, a book equipping churches to release leadership and thrive as movemental communities.

📘 The Starfish and the Spirit on Amazon
🔗 KC Underground Website
🔗 NewThing Network

Have you ever scrolled through the news and felt like the world is spinning out of control? Psalm 2 captures that feeling perfectly. Nations rage. Peoples plot. Leaders unite in rebellion. It's not just political; it's deeply spiritual. Their cry? “Let us burst God’s bonds apart and cast away His cords!”

It’s easy to get rattled by the chaos. But Scripture lifts our eyes higher. While earth trembles in rebellion, heaven reverberates with laughter. God is not pacing the floors of heaven, wringing His hands. He is enthroned, undisturbed, sovereign.

Clif Johnson reminds us: God laughs because He knows the end of the story. Every rebellious scheme, every arrogant ruler, every attempt to dethrone God—already accounted for, already defeated. Acts 4:28 makes it plain: all the plotting only accomplishes God's predestined purposes.

When we’re tempted to fear, Psalm 2 invites us to trust. When the world feels unstable, the throne of heaven remains unshaken.

Prayer Points:

• Lord, help me lift my eyes above the raging nations to Your unshakable throne.

• Teach me to trust Your sovereignty when fear whispers otherwise.

• Fill me with peace that comes from knowing You are laughing, not panicking.

2 People To Pray For Milan Bulak, our National Changemaker in the Czech Republic Enzima/Nzema Lifeword broadcast for the people of Ghana & Ivory Coast

Summary: When the world seems out of control, remember: God isn’t worried—He’s working.

At David’s altar on Araunah’s threshing floor, the sacrifice is made, and the plague stops. But this isn’t just a moment of relief—it’s a pointer to a greater story. This same plot of land will become the foundation for Solomon’s Temple. And long before that, Abraham nearly sacrificed Isaac here, only to have God provide a substitute.

In every case—Abraham, David, Solomon—the message is the same: judgment is real, but God provides a substitute. He stays the knife. He relents from the plague. He makes a way.

But on Good Friday, God did not stay His hand. On a hill just outside this area, the Father unleashed His wrath on His own Son. Jesus became the final, sufficient sacrifice. No more temporary relief—eternal redemption.

Every time David looked back at Araunah’s threshing floor, he could say, “That’s where mercy met misery.” And every time we look back at the cross, we can say the same thing.

Prayer Points:

• Thank You, Father, that You provided a final, perfect substitute in Jesus.

• Help me to live in daily awe of the mercy You have shown.

• Make me bold to tell the story of mercy to others who are still under the weight of judgment.

2 People To Pray For Angel De Jesus, our National Changemaker in Puerto Rico The Ekinyambo Lifeword broadcast for the people of Tanzania & Congo