HE BRINGS ORDER OUT OF CHAOS!

 

Wednesday, September 18, 2024

Ponder this timely classic

 

HE BRINGS ORDER OUT OF CHAOS!

 

1 Cor 14:33

33 For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.

 

          The context of this verse is set in the midst of instructions regarding the proper use of the temporary gift of previously unlearned languages to transmit God’s word to the churches. The Bible had not yet been completed and, in fact, was still being lived out. Truth was transmitted by way of special messengers who would give that message in a language they did not know. Another in the church would be gifted with the interpretation and answer. The Corinthians were abusing this and Satan was counterfeiting it. The result was confusion and clamor. However, for our purposes, we will pull out the principle and let it stand alone. God is not the author of confusion.

 

          The opposite of confusion (akatastasia) is not clarity but peace (eirene)! Peace is possible even when things are not yet perfectly clear! Many strands of a knotty problem may yet need to be unraveled but the spirit is at peace. Isn’t that what we want when we pray? We ask God to make things clear to us when what we really want is peace. We want to know that those confusing things will eventually work out and that they are not confusing to God. We need to know that God is in control, working things out for good.

 

          Creation shows God’s handiwork in bringing order out of chaos. We are alarmed to read that “earth was without form and void and darkness was upon the face of the deep.” Many have tried to make much of that statement without any satisfactory conclusion. I think it simply can be explained by watching a potter. His first order of business is to scoop up a batch of mud. It has no form or function. That is the job of the potter.

 

          The demoniac of Gadara was so out of control that he was chained naked amongst the tombs. He was in constant torment and cried out. Later, in Luke 8:35, he was seen sitting by Jesus clothed and in his right mind! The change was so dramatic that it made the disciples afraid. Since the demoniac was no problem for Jesus, certainly we can bring our chaos to Him.

 

Dear Lord, I bring you my confusion. Please give me your peace! AMEN