Chaos

I was going through some old files on a thumb drive that was dad's and found this. I believe it was the lesson he taught to the youth at the church he was at around this time. It is a little disjointed for a blog, but the truth is solid. It was nice to hear his thoughts when he was in the battle. So, here are the words of Jeff Fisher:

Chaos: Complete disorder, confusion, havoc, turmoil, or disruption.

This is where I will begin my story of the chaos in my life dealing with cancer. Then I will transition to my scripture passages.

Psalm 18:1-6 (ESV)

I love you, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. (Verses 1-2)

I call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised, and I am saved from my enemies. The cords of death encompassed me; the torrents of destruction assailed me, the cords of Sheol entangled me; the snares of death confronted me. (Verses 3-5)

In my distress I called upon the Lord; to my God I cried for help. From His temple He heard my voice and my cry to Him reached His ears. (Verse 6)

The first thing I want everyone to notice is how David starts out with this Psalm; remembering that this is a time in David’s life in which he is being hunted down to be killed. David’s first words are, “I love you, O Lord.” Here he is, in fear of his life and yet he claims his love to God. David doesn’t complain or question God. He doesn’t even blame God for his situation. How often do we, when we face adversity complain, question, or even blame God, as our first response? I’m not saying it was easy for me to accept the devastating news of the type of cancer I have, but I did not react toward God in a negative matter. Instead, much like David, I understood that the love I have for the Lord flows out from the compassion that only God the Father has for me. When we as believers claim this love toward God, we are expressing our commitment to the Lord who is our source of strength, comfort, and life. Look at the military metaphors David uses to describe his one true God; “my fortress,” “my shield,” and “my stronghold.” These terms convey the intensity of David’s love for his God, the Great King who is able to fight David’s battle, to protect him, and deliver him from the chaos going on in his life. Do we share in that same intensity of love toward God in the midst of utter adversity? Listen guys, I need to not just express this type of intense love toward God, but I have to live it; because if I don’t, then I allow the enemy to win. And, I’m not just referring to the cancer but Satan, for he is the great enemy.

Check out what David does next. Even in the midst of chaos in David’s life he bursts forth in affirmation of calling out with great confidence to his Lord who is more than worthy to be praised; why? because David knows without a doubt that the Lord God will help him in times of extreme distress. Just listen as he recalls the intensity of his anguish; “the cords of death encompassed me,” torrents of destruction assailed me,” Sheol has entangled me,” and “the snares of death confronted me.” There are times, especially when I am having a few bad days from the chemo treatments or the cancer itself, when I feel this very way. But here’s the deal, even when I feel this way from time to time, I never forget that the Lord God is my shield or that He is my salvation. I know the doctors, nurses, and other medical people are doing their best to help me, even trying to save my life; but it is only God who can truly heal and save me from the havoc and turmoil going on in my life. When chaos does come into your life do you, can you, or will you have this type of confidence David has in God that He is your shield, your stronghold, and more importantly your salvation?

Finally in verse 6, we hear that David has called out to the Lord, he has cried out for help. He hasn’t cried out in vain, he hasn’t cried out in doubt or wonder, but he has cried out with great confidence that God has heard his voice. His prayer has reached the ears of God. If there is one thing I can testify about my prayers to God is that I know he has heard them. There have been many times during all hours of the day that I have cried out to God in my battle with the confidence He has heard my voice because my Lord God has responded in many ways to my prayers. Whether during good times or times of disorder and confusion, do you go to the throne of God’s grace with the confidence that He has heard your voice?

Earlier I mentioned the enemy, Satan. I have also used the word battle in my fight against this cancer. So what I want to do now is quickly speak about the spiritual battle that I face and in many ways, David faced. So let’s look at another scripture passage.

Ephesians 6: 10-13 (ESV)

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the whole armor of God that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.

Did you notice the similarities between Psalm 18: 1-6 and Ephesians 6: 10-13? They both have military and battle connotations. The slight difference is the apostle Paul includes a spiritual battle. It’s not that Paul doesn’t understand a physical battle because he had been beaten many times and even stoned and left for dead. But what he does understand is that whether it’s a physical or even emotional battle, the enemy is Satan. That’s why Paul is so adamant about standing firm in the strength and might of the Lord, and to put on the whole armor of God. Satan wants nothing more than to keep us focused on the battle we are facing. He wants us to stress and worry about the facts at hand. He will do whatever it takes to weaken our faith. The one thing Satan wants to do is keep believers from trusting in the strength of God. As I battle my cancer, I have had moments in which the battle has become intense both physically and emotionally, but I have had to find the strength and will to stand firm in the mightiness of God. Satan isn’t worried about what adversity we are facing, he uses it against us, to try to get us to lose our faith in God. When Satan can turn us away from God, he has won the spiritual battle. We cannot allow Satan to deceive us with his schemes to distrust and discount God. So therefore put on the whole armor of God and completely rely on His strength and might only. Even though the battle or chaos can be overwhelming in our lives, God is there and has given us the spiritual armor to defeat the devil and his schemes. How will you stand when chaos enters your life?

Nahum 1:7 (ESV)

The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; He knows those who take refuge in Him.