Living In A World Of Chaos

Scripture

Psalm 46 KJV 1900

To the chief Musician for the sons of Korah, A Song upon Alamoth. 1 God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. 2 Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; 3 Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, Though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah. 4 There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, The holy place of the tabernacles of the most High. 5 God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early. 6 The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved: He uttered his voice, the earth melted. 7 The Lord of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah. 8 Come, behold the works of the Lord, What desolations he hath made in the earth. 9 He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; He breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; He burneth the chariot in the fire. 10 Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth. 11 The Lord of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.

It has been said that , “James Earl Ray bullet took the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.,” but NOT HIS WORK.

In fact, since 1983, on the third Monday in January, we have celebrated the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Tomorrow, Monday – January 16, 2023 – all across America, folk of every ethnic group will hold hands, remember and celebrate the life and works of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Many will remember the signed Civil Right Acts of 1964, the Voting Rights Act of 1965, and the presidential speech of the President L. B. Johnson, … which was aired on National television as he rallied the faces of congress (in support of Dr. King) to the chant “we shall overcome”. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 ended segregation in public places while the Voting Rights of 1965 allowed African Americans the status of no longer being considered “second class citizens”.

Yes, tomorrow … folk of every group will hold hands as symbolic gesture of togetherness … and a promise … to never forget … the past while embracing the civil rights challenges of the future.

Now, my brothers and sisters, in reference to “Hands” … there are a multiplicity of stories, poems, and songs that have been written about the “Hand”.

In fact, Bill Withers’ song – Grandma’s Hands is one of my all times favorite.

Listen to lyrics in Grandma’s Hands:

Grandma’s hands

Clapped in church on Sunday morning

Grandma’s hands

Played a tambourine so well

Grandma’s hands

Used to issue out a warning

She’d say, “Billy don’t you run so fast

Might fall on a piece of glass

”Might be snakes there in that grass”

Grandma’s hands

Grandma’s hands

Soothed a local unwed mother

Grandma’s hands

Used to ache sometimes and swell

Grandma’s hands

Used to lift her face and tell her,

”Baby, Grandma understands

That you really love that man

Put yourself in Jesus hands”

Grandma’s hands”…

Grandma’s hands

Used to hand me piece of candy

Grandma’s hands

Picked me up each time I fell

Grandma’s hands

boy, they really came in handy

She’d say, “Matty don’t you whip that boy”

What you want to spank him for?

He didn’t drop no apple core”

But I don’t have Grandma anymore

“If I get to Heaven I’ll look for Grandma’s Hands …”

Seriously, have you ever wondered why God allowed Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and his family to go through what they went through (in the midst of non-violently fighting for the Civil Rights and Equal Rights for All Ethnic Groups) ?

And why did God allow the Prophet Daniel in the Old Testament (who prayed three times a day) to be thrown into the vicious lion dens (in Daniel 6:16-22)?

Or perhaps, you can explain to me why God allow three teens (who may have been fatherless) from the ghetto of Jerusalem – Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego - to get thrown into the fiery furnace?

Was it really necessary for teenagers to have such traumatic life experiences while others - who were much older and who were also professed believers - did not?

Is it fair for terrible things to happen to some believers and not to all believers?

Yet, the scriptures tells us that God isn’t bias, because God has no respect of persons – Romans 2:11 - .

In other words, whatever freedom God allows to happen to one ethnic group; He will also allow to happen to other ethnic groups … as they engage in His will and purpose for their life … regardless of the challenges.

Like Dr. King in years past, and many Christians today, all of the before mentioned believers demonstrated an unusual faith and trust in the Hands of God.

We are living in a very troubling time in the world. Recently the Lord showed me that the atmosphere of our world had dramatically changed. The world conditions escalated from confusion to chaos. In recent days this has been confirmed by the events in many countries of the world. Tragically, things must often get worse before they can get better. This is sad, but necessary in order to convince us of our need of the Lord.

What does God's Word say about chaos

Psalm 46:6 KJV 1900

6 The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved: He uttered his voice, the earth melted.

Psalm 46:6 (CSB)

6Nations rage, kingdoms topple; the earth melts when he lifts his voice.

Turn to the Lord in your chaos - Let us pray that God will use these chaotic circumstances to reveal Himself as the sole Source and Solution to all of our problems. And pray that many will turn to Jesus Christ to find peace and protection amidst the chaotic conditions that are upon us. Where the Lord God Almighty reigns there is order, peace, and stability but where man reigns chaos abounds. Yet, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Christ! And since the Lord Jesus Christ is our Shepherd we fear no evil.

Therefore, I submit to you this morning that just as God allowed you and me to go through various levels of trials and tribulations in 2023 - in order for others to be encouraged in their faith;

He also allowed the patriarchs of old (and Dr. King) to experience terrible things in order for the believers in 2023 to be inspired NOT TO GIVE-UP;

but to Hang In There and remain in God’s Hands because “We Shall Overcome”.

It’s a fact. God allow believers to go through trials and tribulations in order for other believers (and non believers alike) to believe and be strengthened in their faith … and in their walk for God.

And neither were the people of God circumstances, trials and tribulations a coincident.

Every prophet, every civil rights leader, every president, every person, and every circumstance.

every trial and every act of deliverance had been pre-ordained by God himself, ….

in order for God to be glorified.

For don’t you remember, the Bible says (in 2 Timothy 3:16) “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness”.

In fact, I believe that just as God allowed His Son to have been hidden in the presence of Shadrach, MeShach, and Abednigo heated trial. He also hides Christ (in our day and time) with believers.

For the Bible says in (Colossians 3:1-3) … If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.

The psalmist says in best, in Psalms 91:1-3; 7-11, when he says:

He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow the Almighty.

I will say of the Lord, he is my refuge and my fortress: my God in him will I trust.

Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.

A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand;

but it shall not come nigh thee. Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked.

Because thou hast made the Lord, which is my refuge, even the Most High thy habitation;

There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.

For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.