Psalm 2 
Why are the nations in an uproar
And the peoples devising a vain thing?

The kings of the earth take their stand
And the rulers take counsel together
Against the Lord and against His Anointed, saying,

“Let us tear their fetters apart
And cast away their cords from us!”

He who sits in the heavens laughs,
The Lord scoffs at them.

Then He will speak to them in His anger
And terrify them in His fury, saying,

“But as for Me, I have installed My King
Upon Zion, My holy mountain.”

“I will surely tell of the decree of the Lord:
He said to Me, ‘You are My Son,
Today I have begotten You.

‘Ask of Me, and I will surely give the nations as Your inheritance,
And the very ends of the earth as Your possession.

‘You shall break them with a rod of iron,
You shall shatter them like earthenware.’”

Now therefore, O kings, show discernment;
Take warning, O judges of the earth.
 
Worship the Lord with reverence
And rejoice with trembling.
 
Do homage to the Son, that He not become angry, and you perish in the way,
For His wrath may soon be kindled.
How blessed are all who take refuge in Him

(J.R. Miller)

Some people seem never to have any serious thoughts of life. They only think of amusements and entertainments, and never get beyond the airy surface of things. But to one who thinks deeply, life is not all a round of selfish and empty pleasures.

A traveler who tarried several days at Antwerp, describes the effect which the bells in the great tower had upon him. Every quarter hour they rang out on the air their sweet notes, in soft melody, which fell like a delicious rain of music dropping from the heavens, as tender and holy as the song of angels. Then at the full hour, amid their shower of liquid notes of silver–rang out the solemn strokes of the great bell, with iron tongue, deep and heavy; and these heavy tones inspired him with a feeling of awe.

As he listened, hour after hour, to the chime–the tender melody of the smaller, sweeter bells reminded him of the mercy and love of God; and the solemn undertones that broke on his ear at the end of each full hour, spoke of the solemn themes of justice, judgment, eternity.

So it is, that every thoughtful person is impressed in reading the Scriptures. Their usual tone is mercy. Love rings everywhere, like the notes of angels’ songs. But here and there, amid the words of divine tenderness–comes some deep note, telling of justice, of wrath against sin, of the dreadful judgment day.

It is the same in life. The flow of the common days, is gladness. There is music everywhere. Flowers’ bloom. Love lights its lamp in our path. Then suddenly there breaks in, amid the merry laughter–a deep and solemn tone, which fills us with awe.

Life is not all gaiety. Even now, its undertone is serious. We should be thoughtful. Eternity lies close to time. The momentous things of judgment, are hidden only by a thin veil of mist.

“It is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment!” Hebrews 9:27

“Prepare to meet your God!” Amos 4:12

Wake up from your arrogance and your confidence, because you think that because you’re not being persecuted by the Jews or the Greeks and people are actually coming into your church that you’re ok, when the fact of the matter is they’re coming because you’re DEAD and they have nothing to fear. You know, in some ways the church ought to be the scariest place on planet earth. Amen. Why should a person who is a sinner, who is openly and blatantly sinful ever feel comfortable and confident walking into a place where the Holy and Righteous God and judge of the Universe is worshiped by those whose garments have been made white.

-Voddie Baucham

Repentance is a supernatural and inward revelation from God, giving a deepconsciousness of what I am in His sight, which causes me to loathe and condemn myself, resulting in a bitter sorrow for sin, a holy horror and hatred for sin, a turning away from or forsaking of sin. It is the discovery of God’s high and righteous claims upon me, and of my lifelong failure to meet those claims. It is the recognition of the holiness and goodness of His Law, and my defiant insubordination thereto. It is the perception that God has the right to rule and govern me, and of my refusal to submit unto Him. It is the apprehension that He has dealt in goodness and kindness with me, and that I have evilly repaid Him by having no concern for His honor and glory. It is the realization of His gracious patience with me, and how that instead of this melting my heart and causing me to yield loving obedience to Him, I have abused His forbearance by continuing a course of self-will… Thus, genuine and saving repentance is taking sides with God against myself.

- A.W. Pink, Repentance: What Saith the Scriptures?

If the Truth offends, then let it offend. People have been living their whole lives in offense to God; let them be offended for a while.

- John MacArthur

What is the source of quarrels and conflicts among you? Is not the source your pleasures that wage war in your members? You lust and do not have; [so] you commit murder. You are envious and cannot obtain; [so] you fight and quarrel. You do not have because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend [it] on your pleasures.

Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth Does not become weary or tired. His understanding is inscrutable.