Order, Not Disorder
God is a precise and has a plan. One of the strongest evidences for the existence of God is the precision of the universe. God wants to teach each of us how to order our lives centered in Christ to build up one another.
“On the first day of the seventh month hold a sacred assembly and do no regular work. It is a day for you to sound the trumpets. Include one male goat as a sin offering to make atonement for you...On the tenth day of this seventh month hold a sacred assembly. You must deny yourselves and do no work...Celebrate a festival to the Lord for seven days...in addition to what you vow and your freewill offerings, offer these to the Lord at your appointed festivals: your burnt offerings, grain offerings, drink offerings and fellowship offerings.”
Numbers 29:1, 5, 7, 12, 39
Have you ever taken the time to notice how specific God's instructions are? We live in a world with abundant choices where even a drive through menu at a restaurant can be overwhelming. Have you ever asked a waiter or waitress for advice on what to order? It can be helpful to have instruction from people who know what is best.
Consider how precise the instructions of the Lord are and ask yourself why He gives such great detail. He says on specific days there should be times of gathering, celebration, offering, or rest. How well do we listen to God's advice? Jesus said the Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. Is it important to you to follow His instructions? Do you ever stop to think that some of the reason you are not feeling refreshed or not happy with how things are working out could be related to how well we are following God's precise instructions? Even taking the time to truly be present and celebrate takes intentionality. How excited are you to take time to celebrate what God has done in your life or in the lives of others?
“Praise the Lord. Praise the Lord, my soul. I will praise the Lord all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live. Blessed are those whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord their God. He is the Maker of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them— he remains faithful forever. He upholds the cause of the oppressed and gives food to the hungry. The Lord sets prisoners free, the Lord gives sight to the blind, the Lord lifts up those who are bowed down, the Lord loves the righteous. The Lord watches over the foreigner and sustains the fatherless and the widow, but he frustrates the ways of the wicked.”
Psalms 146:1-2, 5-9
David is full of praise for God's precision. He praises how God made the world we live in. Mark Batterson says that every ology is a branch of theology so as we explore the world that God has given us, we see His hand at work. David says God sees every person. He sees their victories and defeats. He knows what causes them wonder and worry.
David praises God for how He precisely loves us perfectly. For the person who needs help, God knows exactly how to help. For the person who feels alone, He knows exactly how to show them He is present. Consider how precisely He has loved you? How have you seen Him meet you exactly in the way you needed? How could that help you in whatever you are facing today?
“your love is more delightful than wine...We rejoice and delight; we will praise your love more than wine. How right they are to adore you!"
Song of Songs 1:2, 4, 15-16
The Bible is a love story. God made and loves all people. He wants to be in relationship and help each person learn who they are to Him. Who does God call you? What is your identity? Have you thought of yourself as Beloved of God?
Song of Songs is representative of the love between God and His people. It is a perfect love that inspires, encourages, and empowers. His love is a love that restores, redeems, and can make our hearts rejoice. Do you know that God knows exactly what will bring you delight and He wants to give that to you? Do you know what will bring God delight? How can you best adore Him?
“Therefore this is what the Sovereign Lord says: Since you have forgotten me and turned your back on me, you must bear the consequences...They have also done this to me: At that same time they defiled my sanctuary and desecrated my Sabbaths. You will suffer the penalty for your lewdness and bear the consequences of your sins of idolatry. Then you will know that I am the Sovereign Lord.”
Ezekiel 23:33, 35, 38, 49
There are precise laws that God has established to order the world in which we live. One of those laws is the law of sowing and reaping. You will reap what you sow. Whatever you plant will be what you harvest. If you plant seeds of faith, trust, love, faithfulness then that will be the fruit you harvest. If you plant seeds of bitterness, offense, division, gossip, or hatred then what do you think will come?
Ezekiel is reminding the people of the truth. God has given us clear instructions and commandments to follow. Either way there will be a consequence. Consequences can be good or bad. The Israelites chose to be unfaithful and the consequence of that was the penalty that God had warned. Are there any areas of your life where you are walking a road that could lead to an unwanted consequence? How could God's instructions help guide you to a better road?
“Follow the way of love and eagerly desire gifts of the Spirit, especially prophecy...the one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouraging and comfort...the secrets of their hearts are laid bare. So they will fall down and worship God, exclaiming, “God is really among you!” For God is not a God of disorder but of peace"
1 Corinthians 14:1, 3, 11, 25, 33
Paul brings the audience back to a place of understanding God's divine design. God made His people to live in community with an awareness of how they could build each other up. Jesus said the great commandments are to love God and love each other. Reflecting on this passage and what Jesus said, how can you love others fully by using your gifts to strengthen, encourage, and comfort others?
We live in a world that was made for order but often feels disorderly. Our world is out of balance in terms of justice and righteousness. What could you do to help restore order to the world? How does God want to use you to right a wrong, make a difference, or bring hope to the hurting? God's plan for maintaining an orderly world involves the people of God becoming people who build up others through how they love with the gifts they have been given.
How can we do this best? How can we be people who bring order out of the chaos? How can we do this if we feel like our own lives are chaotic at times? Center yourself in Jesus. Jesus calls us to make Him the axis of our lives. Everything we do should come out of an understanding of His will and how He designed us to live. The best way to order your life is to put Jesus first, actively listen to His voice, and allow Him to be both your Savior and your Lord today.