Rev. D. Blair Sorrey
Special to The Guardian
Psalm 71:1, “In thee, O Lord, do I put my trust: let me never be put to confusion.”
In 1 Corinthians 14:33, “For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.”
We are living in a time when a lot of people are dealing with feelings of helplessness, cynicism and general frustration.
The political atmosphere, the cost of living, climate change and the threat of a global pandemic are just a few of the things that occupy and trouble people’s thoughts. Norms have been thrown out the window as people face uncertainties and obstacles that they don’t know how to deal with.
The result of all this is a wave of fear, depression, road rage, substance abuse and indiscriminate violence.
Jesus prophesied about the last days and his words paint an accurate portrait of the hour in which we live. Luke 21:26 says, “Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.”
People often shake their fist at heaven and blame God for their problems during times like these but that is nothing new. God has always gotten the blame for things He didn’t do. The truth is He is not the author of confusion, fear, hopelessness or despair. Those things are part of Satan’s tool kit as he endeavours to bind and destroy the souls of mankind. Jesus Christ has always been the source of truth, hope, peace, faith and love.
It is during times like these, friends, that a spiritual choice becomes apparent. We can either shake our fist at heaven in fear or we can lift our eyes to heaven in faith. There is a beautiful story found in 2 Chronicles 20 about a man named Jehoshaphat who was the King of Judah. Three great heathen armies allied themselves together to fight against Jerusalem and the children of Israel. On the outside looking in it seemed like an impossible situation that could have ended up in chaos, confusion and defeat. The king desperately needed a war plan. We all know how politicians like to formulate elaborate plans and spin how prepared they are for every eventuality.
That’s not what Jehoshaphat did.
The Bible says he proclaimed a fast and stood to address the people who had gathered before the house of the Lord in Jerusalem. The king then began to pray. He concluded his prayer with these words we find in 2 Chronicles 20:12: “O our God, wilt thou not judge them? for we have no might against this great company that cometh against us; neither know we what to do: but our eyes are upon thee.”
The king could have shaken his fist at heaven in fear and despair but instead he lifted his eyes to heaven in faith and trust. There was humility in the king’s words that touched the heart of God. No sooner had the prayer left his lips when the Spirit of the Lord began to speak through a man called Jahaziel. God’s words were powerful, prophetic and awe inspiring. 2 Chronicles 20:15 “Thus saith the Lord unto you, Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God's. Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the Lord.”
The next day the king sent the choir out to the front lines to face the enemy and as they sang and worshipped God the enemy destroyed one another. Friends if you feel like you are in over your head today you too have a choice. If you will draw nigh unto God then God will draw nigh unto you.
There is indeed a better way. God understands you like no one else can. You will be tempted to take matters into your own hands. You will want to figure things out on your own. King Jehoshaphat could have tried that, but he didn’t. He knew that when facing a storm you can’t control it is best to leave your dilemma with the master of the storm.
Rev. D. Blair Sorrey is with the United Pentecostal Community Chapel in Lower Montague. The website is upccmontague.ca. A guest sermon runs regularly in Saturday’s Guardian and is provided through Christian Communications.
