The Chronicles Of Chaos

The Chronicles Of Chaos 2 Chronicles 20:5-12 This past week has sure been chaotic, and I’m sure nobody has ever seen anything like this before. While the Coronavirus is more than one week old, this past week, we’ve heard, seen, and even experienced things like never before. People are saying that these are unprecedented times, and I believe them, because the fear and separation the Coronavirus has caused, is affecting all people and nations. Just this past week, the Coronavirus spread, and so did people’s fear. But you know what I’ve noticed? While people are afraid of getting the virus, there’s another fear that comes from empty shelves. From going from store to store in search of basic necessities. This fear spread even more when people look out and see stores that are closing, how you can’t eat inside restaurants anymore, how schools have closed, and how large gatherings have been outlawed. People are wondering what to do about money. Parents are worried about the education of their children. Colleges are closed. Prom has been canceled, and even many school graduations have been canceled or postponed. The DG had to open and serve only the elderly for the first hour. People are concerned with what to eat. 1 in 7 children go hungry, and the Coronavirus is only making more children wonder where their next meal is coming from. Churches don’t meet, NASCAR, the NBA, Major League Baseball, are all suspended. March Madness is canceled. Yes, this is truly an unprecedented time. The Coronavirus is real, and people debate upon the virus's severity. But that’s beside the point because the real concern is how the virus is affecting everyone. There are people infected with it, and there will be more. For that reason, we all should be in prayer for the lives that this virus has both taken, and disrupted, and for the families who will never be the same because of it. But even with all that, I think the real fear gripping people is the fear of the unknown. The fear of “Have I been around someone infected.” The fear of how much worse things might become. The fear of when all this will end. We all share in this fear because the fear of the unknown can be terrifying, especially for our medical personal and first responders. Those who are on the front lines, who face known and unknown dangers head on. I know it’s fearful. I know that as bad as they want to help, they’re afraid for their own well-being and for the health and safety of those they love. And for everyone both in here and out there, I thank you for doing things that most people wouldn’t do. It doesn’t take much to feel fear, especially during these times of not knowing what’s next. So let me say, not just as a pastor or a friend, but from someone who’s experiencing this along with you, I feel your fear. I get it. I get the doubt that this whole virus has caused, because like you, I don’t have all the right answers either. But what we do have, is God! This past week I was praying and seeking God’s guidance, and in my alone time with Jesus, I began to understand what God is doing. Here’s what I believe God revealed to me: I don’t think it’s any coincidence that Palm Sunday, Good Friday, and Easter are right around the corner. I feel that God is using this as a wake-up call and asking the world what their faith looks like during this time of trial. I believe God is revealing to us Who and What we’re focused on. He’s showing us what we’re holding onto, and what we don’t want to let go of. God is testing our faith by revealing what we see. To get us to realize our need for our Savior, and to show people just how far away they’ve slipped from God. God wants to be known. That’s what the Bible is, it’s God revealing Himself to us through His Word. But God also wants us to know Him better. He wants more of us. But sometimes we, like sheep, have gone astray. People have wondered far from God, and as such, their habits and lives begin to reflect their distance from God. And when this Coronavirus struck, most of the world responded in fear, but you are in control of how you respond! All of us are in a position we don’t like, but while we’re here, let’s use it to seek God further, and glorify Him higher. Panic-peace, fear-faith, worry-worship. Christ is the happy medium between all those, and the One who calms the storm. God can take something bad and use it for good. God can take lousy soil and still grow something useful from it when the light of His Son shines down. Now here we are, it’s almost Easter. Christ’s light is shining, and throughout all the fear, chaos, and worry, God is saying, “Focus on Me. Trust in Me. Replace your fear with faith.” Should we be concerned? Yes! But we should not replace invalid fear with valid concern. Be strong. Be courageous. Be concerned. But be a follower of Christ. You know the funny thing about fear is it’s something we don’t necessarily feel every day. And when it comes, fear can bring out a un-known part of us. A side of us we rarely see. And if what you’re seeing isn’t in line with biblical faith, with Christ, then use this time to become more Christlike. Even when the world’s doing one thing, trust in the Author of Life, who knows “the end from the beginning.” John Murray, the famous Scottish theologian, once said, “What or Whom we worship determines our behavior.” He makes a valid point, and it’s the same point we find in today’s Scripture. Now in today’s Scripture, we’re only reading verses 5-12, which is a prayer prayed by Jehoshaphat. But to really glean what’s happening, I encourage you to read all of chapter 20 because here’s the scene: Jehoshaphat just got done appointing judges. Now he’s back in Jerusalem when some people come and tell him that “A vast army is coming against you.” With the huge army closing in, Jehoshaphat was alarmed, as any of us would be. So what did Jehoshaphat do? Verse 3 says he “resolved to inquire of the LORD, and he proclaimed a fast.” Right now, we have a different type of vast army coming against us. It’s the Coronavirus, and it’s bringing with it fear, panic, and worry. We, just like Jehoshaphat, are alarmed, but what did Jehoshaphat do? He “inquired of the LORD and fasted.” We would all be wise to learn from his example, because instead of being self-reliant, Jehoshaphat was God-reliant. Anyone’s own self-reliance will only be reliable for so long. And when we’re busy trying to defend ourselves from a vast army, our reliance needs to be upon God, who is the only One who can sustain us throughout the battle. Notice how Jehoshaphat “inquired of the LORD and fasted.” Fasting should always be accompanied with prayer. Another famous Murray, Andrew Murray, once said, “Prayer is reaching out after the unseen; fasting is letting go of all that is seen and temporal. Fasting helps express, deepen, and confirm the resolution that we’re ready to sacrifice anything, even ourselves, to attain what we seek for the kingdom of God.” The world may not visibly see God, but we can visibly see God working in the world. God hears prayer, and while there’s much I could say about fasting, we fast as a way to show God that we’re truly sincere in both our heart and mind. That we’re willing to deprive ourselves of something in order to be filled with more of God. A vast army was approaching Jerusalem, and a vast army is approaching us. Amid all the chaos, Jehoshaphat prayed and fasted. But he didn’t stop there. Jehoshaphat was a leader, so when he spoke, people listened. People looked to him for guidance and reassurance. The same can be said with the church today. People look to the church for guidance and reassurance. Christ is the head of His church, and we are apart of Christ. As the church, we represent Christ. And don’t be fooled, people are listening and watching us. Verse 5 tells us that Jehoshaphat stood in front of everyone and prayed. The people gathered, and they held service. He motivated and encouraged everyone by praying both for and with the people. During this Coronavirus outbreak, people are looking many different ways, but one of which is at the church. And just like Jehoshaphat, we need to seriously inquire of our Lord, and be the church to a hurting and fearful people. We can pray, we can fast, but we also need to be there for the people. Whatever fear or worry we feel, let’s give it by faith to Christ. Jehoshaphat, in verse 5, “Stood up in the assembly of Judah and Jerusalem at the temple of the LORD.” He placed himself in front of the people, just like the church stands before the people. The prayer he prayed in verses 5-12 are just as fitting for us today, as it was back then, because we’re both facing something that’s closing in around us. And there’s 4 things I want to share with you that we can take away from this prayer. 1. Jehoshaphat committed the situation to God. He acknowledged that whatever was going to happen, God is the ultimate source of salvation. 2. He acknowledged God’s sovereignty over their situation. God is our supreme power and authority over any and all situations, including Coronavirus. Nothing happens without God knowing about it, and because God is Sovereign, His perfect will is always done. 3. Is something that many people neglect today, praise. Yes, it can be hard to praise God during fearful times, but remember, God is Sovereign. Just like the song by Casting Crowns, “I’ll Praise You In This Storm,” believers can praise God because we find comfort in His promises. 4. Jehoshaphat professed his dependence on God and not himself. We are people who like to fix things. We like to right wrongs and see that justice is done. And fear can quickly arise when there’s something that needs fixing, but there’s no fix in sight. We want this virus to end, to fix things, and go back to being normal, but we don’t quite know how, which can easily lead to discomfort and fear. That’s why we must depend upon God and His power to fix things. So, we commit the situation to God, acknowledge His sovereignty, praise God in the storm, and depend upon our Almighty God. Notice how all four of those things require an action on our part. God is active in the world and calls us to be active with Him. He is bigger than any army we could ever face. I know these times are scary for many people, I really do. And please don’t think that I’m trying to diminish your fear or belittle your feelings. But what I am trying to do is to re-focus your fears into a faith perspective. Yes, this is a fearful time, but more will come. Maybe not in our lifetime, but the Bible says things will get worse before Christ comes back. And what’s truly scary is losing our focus on God. To blur our perspective of God so much, that the generations after us have a hard time focusing in on who God really is. To sum up today’s lesson are 2 verses. Verse 9 says, “If calamity comes upon us, whether the sword of judgment, or plague, or famine, we will stand in Your presence before this temple that bears Your Name and will cry out to You in our distress, and You will hear us and save us.” Remember, in this Old Testament passage, they stood before the temple. Today, in New Testament times, you are the temple of God, and no matter where you go, God’s presence goes with you. No matter what army comes our way, we will cry out to God! Second is verse 12, “Our God, will You not judge them? For we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on You.” We might not have the power to face the army, but God does. I love the last sentence of this verse because not only is it like a rhyme that rolls easily off the tongue, but it’s perfect for any situation. In all the fear, worry, and not knowing what might happen next, recite this verse anytime you’re feeling afraid. And remember that faith places fear in its proper perspective. I encourage you to read the rest of chapter 20, but in short, it ends in victory. Verse 20 says that the people’s faith in God upheld them as the army drew near. Verse 21 says, “Give thanks to the LORD, for His love endures forever.” And when all was said and done, verse 29 tells us that they were “at peace, for God had given them rest on every side.” “We don’t know what to do, but our eyes are fixed On You,” and God will give you peace on every side. Even though we’re Christians, it doesn’t mean we’re immured to fear. Christians and non-Christians alike can feel overwhelmed by a crisis such as Coronavirus. But what Christians have that the world doesn’t is the option for call upon Christ for His heavenly intervention. Even when we don’t know what to do, God does. As we leave, ask yourself this: If Christ was here right now, where would He be, and what would He be doing? Well, Christ is here. He’s in you. So go out into the world a little less fearful, and light up the dark places with Christ. Take today’s verses, and use God’s promises to prevail through this and any crisis with God’s strength. And above all, remember Jesus’ words in John 14:27, “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Don’t let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” AMEN