Prescription for overcoming chaos and worry

The morning of Aug. 2, 1990 was hot and muggy with a blazing sun. I was finishing my two-week summer drill in an Army Reserve unit in South Carolina. Earlier that day the mechanized infantry, armor and tank units of the Iraqi Republican Guard invaded Kuwait and seized control of the country. After hearing the reports on the radio I turned to a colonel in our unit and asked, “Sir, do you think this will affect us?” With a few choice words he said, “No way! That will never impact us!” Six months later my unit was in the desert of Saudia Arabia bordering Kuwait. Living in the desert I could only shake my head remembering how wrong he was!

As the events of the fall unfolded and the orders came for our unit to leave, amazingly it was a time of personal peace for me. In the midst of difficult circumstances an extraordinary sense of calm descended. What made the difference? While attending seminary in the fall of 1990 I studied the Book of Revelation.

How can a person experience a settled assurance in the midst of chaotic events? Is it possible to rise above circumstances and trust God? Of course! The key is to understand the power of God. Never focus on problems — always focus on the Lord Jesus Christ. Often before calling a person to a monumental task, God will give them a vision of His glory.

God speaks to His people today. God always speaks through the Bible. The Bible displays the glory of God. Revelation is the only book in the Bible that promises a special blessing to those who read it. “Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it: for the time is near” (Revelation 1:3). As I studied this book, God began to appear larger and larger before my eyes.

It begins in chapter 1 with a vision of the resurrected Christ. John the Apostle saw Jesus in all of His power. He was “… clothed with a garment down to the feet and girded about the chest with a golden band” (verse 13). He is pictured as a military leader. “… His head and His hair were white like wool, as white as snow …” (verse 14). Jesus is eternal. He has all the answers. “… His eyes like a flame of fire …” (verse 14) Jesus has the X-ray eyes. He sees everything. “ … His countenance was like the sun shining in its strength” (verse 16).

When John saw this vision of the resurrected Christ, he fell at His feet as dead (verse 17). Jesus said, “Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last. I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of death” (verses 17-18) Jesus walked through death to life. He overcame death through His resurrection. Revelation begins with a stunning picture of the resurrected Christ. The great general Stonewall Jackson said, “I feel as safe on the battlefield as I do in my bed. My Creator has fixed the day of my death.” Always focus on the sovereignty of God.

Revelation 4-5 is the most detailed presentation of the throne of God in the Bible. It begins with God the Father seated upon His throne. Worshiping Him are the four living creatures. The four living creatures are described. “And they do not rest day or night, saying, ‘Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!” (Revelation 4:8-9) The vision expands to the 24 elders worshiping the Father also. The 24 elders “… fall down before Him who sits on the throne and worship Him who lives forever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying, ‘You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power ….’” (verses 10-11) The vision expands in chapter 5, verse 11 with hundreds of millions of angels worshiping God. Millions of angels say with a loud voice, “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing!” (verse 12) Finally, in verses 13-14 is the climax. It reaches an awesome crescendo. “And every living creature which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, I heard saying, ‘Blessing and honor and glory and power be to Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb (Jesus) forever’” (verse 13).

God is on His throne. There may be chaos and confusion on earth but there is perfect order in heaven. Nothing catches God by surprise. He never learns anything new. He knows all things. Our focus must not be the events of earth but the presence of God in heaven.

I will never forget circling Cairo, Egypt in a C-5 the day the air war started. Again, there was perfect peace in my life. There was no apprehension. Why? If God can orchestrate the events of the Book of Revelation then surely he could take care of my life. This weekend as we remember those who paid the ultimate price for our freedom, may we also focus upon Jesus who paid the ultimate price for our salvation. He died that we might live. Again, His death was not the result of chaos and chance but the sovereign plan of God. He died to pay for our sins. Robert Murray McCheyne said, “A dark hour makes Jesus bright.” May this be true in your life!

Ethan Hansen (ethanchansen-@gci.net) is pastor of Faith Bible Fellowship in Big Lake.