Navigating Chaos: Justice, Unity, and Redemption in Christ

Devotional

Day 1: Consistent Justice Reflects God's Heart

In Judges 20, the Israelites' response to a heinous crime reveals the danger of selective justice. They were outraged by one sin but overlooked others, leading to a devastating civil war. This inconsistency is a mirror for our own lives, where we may find ourselves more outraged by certain sins while ignoring others. True justice requires us to address all sin with equal seriousness, reflecting God's heart for righteousness. We must be vigilant in ensuring that our outrage is consistent and not influenced by personal biases or tribal allegiances. [39:36]

Deuteronomy 16:19-20 (ESV): "You shall not pervert justice. You shall not show partiality, and you shall not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and subverts the cause of the righteous. Justice, and only justice, you shall follow, that you may live and inherit the land that the Lord your God is giving you."

Reflection: Think of a situation where you have shown partiality in your judgment. How can you seek to apply God's standard of justice consistently in your life today?

Day 2: Allegiance to Christ Overcomes Tribalism

The civil war in Judges 20 illustrates how tribalism can blind us to the truth and lead to devastating consequences. Allegiance to one's group can overshadow the pursuit of truth and righteousness. In a world divided by various allegiances, our loyalty should be to Christ above all else, allowing His truth to guide our actions and decisions. Striving for unity in Christ helps us overcome the destructive power of tribalism and align our lives with His purposes. [44:45]

1 Corinthians 1:10 (ESV): "I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment."

Reflection: Consider a relationship or situation where tribalism has caused division. How can you prioritize your allegiance to Christ to bring about unity and healing?

Day 3: Embrace Pruning for Spiritual Growth

Seasons of pruning, though painful, are essential for spiritual growth. God uses these times to refine us, preparing us for greater fruitfulness. The process of pruning involves removing what is dead or unproductive, allowing for new growth and transformation. Embracing the pruning process with faith and expectancy can lead to profound change in our lives, as God works to bring about His purposes through our brokenness. [51:56]

John 15:2 (ESV): "Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit."

Reflection: Identify an area in your life where you feel God is pruning you. How can you embrace this process with faith and trust in His plan for your growth?

Day 4: Trust in God's Sovereign Plan

Despite the chaos and brokenness in the world, God's eternal plan remains unthwarted. He weaves His purposes through the challenges we face, fulfilling His promises in ways we may not immediately understand. Trusting in God's sovereignty means believing that He is in control, even when circumstances seem overwhelming. Our hope rests in His faithfulness and the assurance that He is working all things for our good and His glory. [54:24]

Isaiah 46:10 (ESV): "Declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, 'My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose.'"

Reflection: Reflect on a current challenge you are facing. How can you trust in God's sovereign plan and find peace in His promises today?

Day 5: Look to Jesus for Redemption and Hope

In the midst of confusion and chaos, Jesus stands as the ultimate leader and redeemer. He offers hope and salvation, calling us to turn to Him in our brokenness. As we navigate life's uncertainties, we find our direction and purpose in Christ alone. By fixing our eyes on Jesus, we are reminded of His promises and His plan for our lives, finding strength and hope in His redemptive work. [56:19]

Hebrews 12:2 (ESV): "Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God."

Reflection: In what area of your life do you need to look to Jesus for redemption and hope? How can you actively seek His guidance and strength today?

Sermon Summary

In today's message, we explored the theme of "Where Do We Go From Here?" as we delved into Judges chapter 20. This chapter recounts a devastating civil war in Israel, a conflict that arose from a series of tragic events and decisions. The narrative serves as a mirror reflecting the chaos and brokenness that can occur when selective justice and tribalism overshadow truth and righteousness. We began by acknowledging the challenges faced by Jacob and Lauren, our missionaries in Kenya, and the importance of supporting them through prayer and tangible gifts. Their dedication to serving others in a foreign land is a testament to the call of God on their lives and a reminder of our role in supporting global missions.

The story of the civil war in Judges 20 is a sobering reminder of the consequences of unchecked sin and division. The Israelites, in their zeal to address a heinous crime, failed to consistently apply justice across the board, highlighting the danger of selective outrage. This inconsistency is something we can relate to in our own lives, where we may find ourselves more outraged by certain sins while overlooking others. The narrative also underscores the destructive power of tribalism, where allegiance to one's group can blind us to the truth and lead to catastrophic outcomes.

Despite the grim circumstances, there is hope. God is at work even in the midst of chaos, pruning and refining His people. The process of pruning, though painful, is necessary for growth and fruitfulness. It is in these moments of brokenness that we can expect God to bring about transformation and renewal. Ultimately, the story points us to Jesus, the leader who surpasses all others, offering redemption and hope in the midst of our brokenness. As we navigate the complexities of life, we are reminded to fix our eyes on Him, trusting in His promises and His plan for our lives.

Key Takeaways

1. Selective Justice and Outrage: The Israelites' response to the crime in Judges 19 highlights the danger of selective justice. We must be vigilant in ensuring that our outrage is consistent and not influenced by personal biases or tribal allegiances. True justice requires us to address all sin with equal seriousness, reflecting God's heart for righteousness. [39:36]
2. The Destructive Power of Tribalism: The civil war in Judges 20 illustrates how tribalism can blind us to the truth and lead to devastating consequences. Our allegiance should be to Christ above all else, allowing His truth to guide our actions and decisions. In a world divided by various allegiances, we must strive for unity in Christ. [44:45]
3. God's Pruning for Growth: Seasons of pruning, though painful, are essential for spiritual growth. God uses these times to refine us, preparing us for greater fruitfulness. Embracing the pruning process with faith and expectancy can lead to profound transformation in our lives. [51:56]
4. Trusting in God's Eternal Plan: Despite the chaos and brokenness in the world, God's eternal plan remains unthwarted. He weaves His purposes through the challenges we face, fulfilling His promises in ways we may not immediately understand. Our hope rests in His faithfulness and sovereignty. [54:24]
5. Looking to Jesus for Redemption: In the midst of confusion and chaos, Jesus stands as the ultimate leader and redeemer. He offers hope and salvation, calling us to turn to Him in our brokenness. As we navigate life's uncertainties, we find our direction and purpose in Christ alone. [56:19]
** [56:19]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:08] - Introduction to Missionaries
[05:45] - Prayer for Missionaries
[10:30] - Transition to Judges
[15:20] - Parenting Anecdote
[20:00] - Introduction to Judges 20
[25:00] - Civil War in Israel
[30:24] - Selective Justice
[35:00] - Tribalism and Truth
[40:49] - Pruning and Growth
[45:38] - Trusting God's Plan
[50:01] - Looking to Jesus
[55:18] - Conclusion and Prayer
[58:15] - Baptism and Communion
[68:07] - Next Steps and Closing

Sermon Clips

Isn't that an amazing ministry? Isn't that cool? Jacob and Lauren are what we affectionately call homegrown missionaries. And what that means is that they're members of PBC, and God called them to go full-time in Kenya just about a year and a half to two years ago. And we're so privileged and honored to be able to partner with them as they lead their ministry, Faith Aid, there in Kenya. And so we present them kind of two years, you and February, to ask you to pray for them as our missionaries of the month. And if you want more information about them, you can go to our website, and they have a website as well, and you can find our missionaries on our website and learn more about them and how you can be praying for them. [00:27:08] (45 seconds)

And this happened again, and I kind of had a spur-of-the-moment idea. You ever have a spur-of-the-moment idea as a parent? You're like, let's wing it. Let's just see what happens. And it worked. Do you know how amazing that feels as a parent? Yeah, and it worked. And so about the time we finished the conversation about how we were going to kind of help them, which I'm trying really hard not to reveal any information about which child this is because being a pastor's kid is hard enough. They don't need to be publicly shamed. By the way, I read this story to them before I shared it and got their approval, if you're wondering, okay? [00:30:34] (37 seconds)

We're winding down our study through the book of Judges, and in all the insanity of the book, you might have had the same thought for the nation of Israel, and the state that they're in. You might have a similar thought to the state of our world today, or maybe even at a place in your own life. You might be looking around just defeated, in a sense, saying, well, where do I go? Where do I go from here? Like, what am I supposed to do now? Now, we're going to be at Judges chapter 20 today, and we started this walk through Judges back in July with a two-part opening that we called, How Did We Get Here? And we're going to end this walk through Judges with a two-part closing that we're calling, Where Do We Go From Here? [00:33:14] (43 seconds)

You might read this and you're thinking, man, after last week, finally, Israel is going to do the right thing, responding and bringing justice to a terrible situation. And in a sense, yes, they are. But here's the problem. They weren't consistent with this. They didn't consistently, you know, bring justice this forcefully. Just a couple of chapters ago, another tribe in Israel, the tribe of Dan, went and eradicated an entire town just for their own power and possession. And the nation of Israel did nothing about that. [00:39:03] (33 seconds)

There were lots of sins that they just overlooked. Great that they're taking action against what happened in chapter 19. Taking it seriously. But it might leave you wondering, here's kind of a symptomatic observation. Where do we go from here when selective sins make us angry? You ever read? You ever recognize this among us? Like, you ever get confused about what we rage about versus what we overlook? Like, what are we mad at today? [00:40:28] (28 seconds)

Some sins elevated and railed against while others are omitted and overlooked. And not only is God clear that this is not what he desires, but an outside world wants nothing to do with that kind of hypocrisy. If you've ever had a boss that demanded that everybody be on time but routinely skipped stuff themselves, you know what I'm talking about. Or if you've ever had a parent that had one standard for you and another for one of the other kids or another standard for you and another for one of the other kids. Or another for themselves, even. [00:41:50] (29 seconds)

Where do we go from here when tribalism is more important than the truth? The Benjamites weren't concerned with the truth. They never said, tell us more. They never said, hey, let's investigate that. They weren't defending their literal tribe without even a moment of consideration of whether or not they were on the right side of this. Not a moment of asking God, what do you want us to do? [00:44:45] (27 seconds)

We're prone in every area of our lives, from sports, to faith, to politics, to family, to whatever team our kids are on. We're prone in every area of our lives to interpret what we see through the tribe, family, group, or whatever we belong to. Paul saw this even in the church. In 1 Corinthians, he says, I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you may be united in the same mind and in the same judgment. [00:46:56] (36 seconds)

If you look around and you're asking, where do we go from here? Everything looks like chaos and like there's so much loss by everyone. We trust God to do the pruning. Here's the truth, bad grammar, good truth. God is never not at work. Thank God for the pruning. God is never not at work. The pruning and keep seeking him because he will bring about his plans. Now I'm going to summarize a good bit of the end of the story. [00:53:05] (26 seconds)

Isn't it comforting that despite our best efforts to the contrary, that God's plans will not be thwarted. What he promises he will do. God's word says this. Numbers 23. God is not a man that he should lie nor a son of man that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill? In preserving 600 Benjaminites, God was yet again weaving his eternal plan through the challenges of that day. [00:54:16] (33 seconds)

So where do we go? Where do we go from here? We go to Jesus. Right? We've been flipping through the pages of judges looking at leader after leader after leader. Jesus was the leader that none of the judges ever were in Judges. We look to Jesus who came to save people like these and like these. We look to Jesus because there's nowhere else we can go. When we look at all the brokenness and we look at all of the confusion, and chaos, and where else are you going to go? Right? There's only one leader in history that has conquered all of this. [00:56:02] (42 seconds)

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