When God Disturbs the Peace

Introduction

The Books of 1 and 2 Chronicles are books that are often overlooked. These books combine to show the importance of writing down the history of the people. We see in this recorded history of how God worked in and through His people.

We see the nature of God.

We see the necessity of His people being committed to His covenant.

We see the importance of worship.

We see the absolute imperative of godly leadership.

We see the redemptive plan that God constant is doing and working through His people.

As we see these things, we should not be surprised at how He does these things.

For example.

2 Chronicles 15:1–7 NIV84

The Spirit of God came upon Azariah son of Oded. He went out to meet Asa and said to him, “Listen to me, Asa and all Judah and Benjamin. The Lord is with you when you are with him. If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you forsake him, he will forsake you. For a long time Israel was without the true God, without a priest to teach and without the law. But in their distress they turned to the Lord, the God of Israel, and sought him, and he was found by them. In those days it was not safe to travel about, for all the inhabitants of the lands were in great turmoil. One nation was being crushed by another and one city by another, because God was troubling them with every kind of distress. But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded.”

First we see that Azariah had the Spirit of God on Him. When the Spirit of God is on someone, we should pay attention.

His plea to be heard comes with a very plain and matter of fact statement: THE LORD IS WITH YOU WHEN YOU ARE WITH HIM.

What a beautiful promise. Then notice the clarity that comes with this: IF YOU SEEK HIM, HE WILL BE FOUND BY YOU. BUT IF YOU FORSAKE HIM, HE WILL FORSAKE YOU.

How plain can that be? God listens to those that listen to Him.

James 4:8 NIV84

Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

Then we see in this passage how that plays out in 2 Chronicles 15:3 and following.

The people were in distress because their country had forsaken their God. The people were in distress because they did not have priests to teach the law.

So, what did they do in their distress? They turned to the Lord and they sought Him.

Look at the scenario that led them to this.

There was strife among themselves. Families were frustrated.

There was strife among their community. Neighbor against neighbor. City against city.

In addition to this national strife, there was global strife, nation against nation.

Why? Verse 6b states it this way: “Because God was troubling them with every kind of distress.”

Why would God be the cause of their troubles?

God shakes things up to get them back in order.

Strife should always produce action.

What can we do when God disturbs our peace?

The first step is found is verse 7:

2 Chronicles 15:7 NIV84

But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded.”

How do I remain strong?

God is sovereign.

Deuteronomy 5:24 NIV84

And you said, “The Lord our God has shown us his glory and his majesty, and we have heard his voice from the fire. Today we have seen that a man can live even if God speaks with him.

God’s ways are righteous.

Psalm 71:15 NIV84

My mouth will tell of your righteousness, of your salvation all day long, though I know not its measure.

God’s design is always best.

Isaiah 48:17 NIV84

This is what the Lord says— your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: “I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go.

How do I not give up?

I remain strong.

1 Corinthians 16:13 NIV84

Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong.

Trust the Lord.

Proverbs 3:5–6 NIV84

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.

What needs to be my work?

A work that is of God.

John 6:29 NIV84

Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.”

Are you? Do you?

A work that is for God.

1 Timothy 4:10 NIV84

(and for this we labor and strive), that we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, and especially of those who believe.

A work that is by God.

2 Corinthians 9:8 NIV84

And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.

What do we do when God disturbs our peace?

Ask Him, “God, what do I need to see, learn and do as a result of this?”

Sometimes we need to be still and wait.

Sometimes we need to act.