A Biblical Response to a World in Chaos - Pastor Stacey Shiflett
A Biblical Response to a World in Chaos
Psalm 71:1 In thee, O LORD, do I put my trust: let me never be put to confusion.
Intro: We are living in a world of chaos and confusion.
We are facing chaos and insanity on every side.
· In the political world: Election cycles; insanity of socialism, Marxism, etc. Kamala Harris surging in the polls
· In the military world: Wars in Iran, Ukraine, etc. Building up troops in the Middle East
· In the financial world: Prices are skyrocketing; fuel, food, housing, taxes, etc.
· In the religious world: Mind boggling scandals; infighting; feuding, debating, apostasy
· In the family: division, strife, arguing, dysfunctional family members creating drama…
A. The Believer’s Recognition – it was predicted in Scripture
· 2 Timothy 3:1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
B. The Believer’s Reaction – it will either be carnal or spiritual; emotional or biblical
They want to quit; or join in the chaos; or doubt God and the Bible; get out of church…
C. The Believer’s Response – we should not react; we should respond
· 2 Timothy 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
Look at the text -Psalm 71
So, what is the Biblical Response to a World in Chaos?
I. A Divine Resorting — vs. 1–13
· 3 Be thou my strong habitation, whereunto I may continually resort…
RESORT: to go in, enter in, come in
The first response to chaos is not panic, speculation, or fear.
It should be to run to God.
Get as close to God as you possibly can.
David turned to God for:
Answers — In thee, O LORD, do I put my trust - vs. 1
Stability – let me never be put to confusion – vs. 1
Deliverance — Deliver me…cause me to escape - vs, 2, - also vs. 4 Deliver me, O my God…
Security — thou art my rock and my fortress - vs. 3 - also vs. 7b …thou art my strong refuge.
Hope — For thou art my hope…thou art my trust from my youth. - vs. 5
Refuge — thou art my strong refuge - vs. 7
Help — make haste for my help - vs. 12
There is a tremendous contrast here.
The world may be a place of confusion, but God is a place of peace, safety, calmness and refuge.
Part 2
So, what is the Biblical Response to a World in Chaos?
II. A Dedicated Reassuring — vs. 14–21
· 14 But I will hope continually…
Notice all the “I will” statements:
· 14 I will hope continually…
· 14 …I will praise thee
· 16 I will go in the strength of the Lord GOD…
· 16 I will make mention of thy righteousness…
Now notice how many things David says God will do…
David hoped continually in:
A. God’s ability to RESURRECT him.
· 20 Thou shalt quicken me again…
· 20b Thou shalt…bring me up again from the depths of the earth
B. God’s ability to REWARD him.
· 21 Thou shalt increase my greatness…
C. God’s ability to REFRESH him.
· 21b Thou shalt…comfort me on every side
His dedication and resolve is wrapped up in three directions:
He looks BACK at God's past faithfulness
· 17 O God, thou hast taught me from my youth…
He looks AROUND at God's present strength
· 16 I will go in the strength of the Lord GOD…
He looks AHEAD at God's future faithfulness
· 20 Thou… shalt quicken me again…21 Thou shalt increase my greatness, and comfort me on every side.
We don't know what tomorrow holds, but we know what God has done, who God is, and what God has promised.
So, what is the Biblical Response to a World in Chaos?
III. A Delightful Rehearsing — vs. 22–24
· 24 My tongue also shall talk of thy righteousness all the day long
The psalm does not end talking about the enemy, but with praise.
Notice the emphasis on the mouth, lips, and tongue throughout this chapter.
Chaos doesn’t silence the Psalmist.
It gives him something to testify about.
· 22 I will also praise thee…
· 22 …unto thee will I sing…
· 23 My lips shall greatly rejoice when I sing unto thee…
· 24 My tongue also shall talk of thy righteousness all the day long…
This theme runs throughout the entire Psalm:
· 6 …my praise shall be continually of thee.
· 8 Let my mouth be filled with thy praise…
· 15 My mouth shall shew forth thy righteousness and thy salvation all the day…
· 17 …hitherto have I declared thy wondrous works.
· 18 …until I have shewed thy strength unto this generation…
In a world obsessed with talking about what man is doing, God's people ought to be talking about what God is doing.
Closing Nugget: David closes out the Psalm 71:4 with a return to the prayer in verse 1.
He had confidence that God would turn the tables on the chaotic world.
Instead of him being CONFUSED, he observed those that were trying to bring him shame and hurt were CONFOUNDED. (see also verse 13)
