Trusting God Amidst Chaos and Evil
Summary
### Summary
In light of recent events, it's crucial to recognize the presence of evil in the world and understand that the devil, the prince of darkness, is behind such acts. However, Jesus instructs us not to let our hearts be troubled. We are reminded of John 14:1, where Jesus says, "Let not your heart be troubled. You believe in God, believe also in me." Similarly, Psalm 37 advises us not to fret because of evildoers. The world is filled with anxiety and worry, but as followers of Christ, we belong to the Kingdom of God and must trust in Him.
Fretting, or constant worry, is a common human experience, but we are called to trust in the Lord and do good. Psalm 37:3-4 encourages us to delight in the Lord, and He will give us the desires of our hearts. This means making a conscious decision to trust God and not let our hearts be troubled, regardless of the circumstances. David's example in the Psalms shows us that we must actively choose to bless the Lord and trust Him in all situations.
A story was shared about a man with a beautiful voice reciting Psalm 23, and a janitor who recited it without the same vocal prowess but with deep faith. The janitor knew the Shepherd, not just the words. This illustrates that knowing God personally is more important than outward appearances or abilities.
We must calculate God into every situation, acknowledging that He is in control. Even when the world seems chaotic, we must remember that with God, all things are possible. Jesus' example in Luke 9 shows that He steadfastly set His face toward Jerusalem, not allowing the evil around Him to dictate His actions. We must do the same, focusing on God's will and not being swayed by external circumstances.
In John 7, Jesus teaches in the temple during the Feast of Tabernacles, astonishing the Jews with His knowledge despite not having formal education. This demonstrates that true wisdom and revelation come from God. We must ensure that we are listening to God's voice and not being led astray by the myriad of voices in the world today.
### Key Takeaways
1. Trust in God's Sovereignty: Despite the presence of evil and chaos in the world, we must trust in God's sovereignty. Jesus instructs us not to let our hearts be troubled, emphasizing that our faith in God should anchor us in times of uncertainty. Trusting in God means actively choosing to believe in His control and goodness, even when circumstances are dire. [01:49]
2. Do Not Fret Over Evildoers: Psalm 37 advises us not to fret because of evildoers. Fretting leads to anxiety and worry, which are contrary to the peace that God offers. Instead, we are called to trust in the Lord, do good, and delight in Him. This proactive approach helps us focus on God's faithfulness rather than the evil around us. [02:37]
3. Know the Shepherd Personally: The story of the janitor and the singer reciting Psalm 23 highlights the importance of knowing God personally. It's not about how eloquently we can speak or perform but about our relationship with the Shepherd. Knowing God intimately provides us with peace and assurance that surpasses outward appearances. [08:48]
4. Calculate God into Every Situation: We must include God in all our calculations and decisions. When we face challenges, we should consider God's presence and power in our lives. This perspective helps us avoid unnecessary worry and trust that God will bring His plans to pass. [10:27]
5. Listen to God's Voice: In a world filled with conflicting voices, it's crucial to discern and follow God's voice. Jesus' teaching in John 7 shows that true wisdom comes from God. We must ensure that we are under anointed teaching and not swayed by the opinions and doctrines of the world. This helps us stay grounded in God's truth. [14:32]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[01:49] - Do Not Fret Over Evildoers
[02:37] - Trust in the Lord and Do Good
[08:48] - Knowing the Shepherd
[10:27] - Calculate God into Every Situation
[14:32] - Listening to God's Voice
[32:19] - Jesus' Steadfast Journey to Jerusalem
[46:04] - Conclusion
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. John 14:1 - "Let not your heart be troubled. You believe in God, believe also in me."
2. Psalm 37:1-4 - "Do not fret because of evildoers, nor be envious of the workers of iniquity. For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb. Trust in the Lord, and do good; dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness. Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart."
3. Luke 9:51 - "Now it came to pass, when the time had come for Him to be received up, that He steadfastly set His face to go to Jerusalem."
### Observation Questions
1. What does Jesus instruct us to do in John 14:1, and why is this significant in times of trouble? [01:49]
2. According to Psalm 37, what are we advised not to do in response to evildoers, and what should we do instead? [02:37]
3. In the story shared about the man and the janitor reciting Psalm 23, what was the key difference between the two recitations? [08:48]
4. How did Jesus demonstrate His focus and determination in Luke 9:51, and what does this teach us about handling distractions and challenges? [32:19]
### Interpretation Questions
1. How does trusting in God's sovereignty help us to not let our hearts be troubled, even in the face of evil and chaos? [01:49]
2. What does it mean to "delight yourself in the Lord," and how does this affect the desires of our hearts according to Psalm 37:4? [02:37]
3. Why is it important to know the Shepherd personally, as illustrated by the story of the janitor and the singer? How does this personal relationship impact our faith? [08:48]
4. How can we "calculate God into every situation," and what impact does this have on our perspective and actions during difficult times? [10:27]
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a recent situation where you felt troubled. How did you respond, and how might trusting in God's sovereignty have changed your response? [01:49]
2. Identify a specific area in your life where you tend to fret or worry. What steps can you take to trust in the Lord and do good in that area? [02:37]
3. Think about your personal relationship with God. How can you deepen this relationship to ensure you know the Shepherd, not just the words? [08:48]
4. When faced with a challenging situation this week, how can you consciously include God in your calculations and decisions? What practical steps will you take to do this? [10:27]
5. In what ways can you ensure you are listening to God's voice amidst the many voices in the world today? How can you discern and follow anointed teaching? [14:32]
6. Jesus set His face steadfastly towards Jerusalem despite the challenges. What is one goal or mission you need to focus on with the same determination, and how will you avoid distractions? [32:19]
7. How can you apply the principle of not letting evil dictate your actions in your daily life? Share a specific example where you can practice this. [34:45]
Devotional
Day 1: Trust in God's Sovereignty
In a world filled with chaos and evil, it is essential to trust in God's sovereignty. Jesus instructs us not to let our hearts be troubled, emphasizing that our faith in God should anchor us in times of uncertainty. Trusting in God means actively choosing to believe in His control and goodness, even when circumstances are dire. This trust is not passive but requires a conscious decision to rely on God's promises and His ultimate plan for our lives. By doing so, we can find peace and stability amidst the turmoil around us. [01:49]
Isaiah 26:3-4 (ESV): "You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock."
Reflection: What specific situation in your life is causing you anxiety or worry? How can you actively choose to trust in God's sovereignty over this situation today?
Day 2: Do Not Fret Over Evildoers
Psalm 37 advises us not to fret because of evildoers. Fretting leads to anxiety and worry, which are contrary to the peace that God offers. Instead, we are called to trust in the Lord, do good, and delight in Him. This proactive approach helps us focus on God's faithfulness rather than the evil around us. By shifting our focus from the actions of evildoers to the goodness of God, we can experience a sense of calm and assurance that God is in control and will ultimately bring justice. [02:37]
Psalm 37:7-8 (ESV): "Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices! Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath! Fret not yourself; it tends only to evil."
Reflection: Think of a recent event or news story that has caused you to worry. How can you shift your focus from the actions of evildoers to trusting in God's faithfulness and justice?
Day 3: Know the Shepherd Personally
The story of the janitor and the singer reciting Psalm 23 highlights the importance of knowing God personally. It's not about how eloquently we can speak or perform but about our relationship with the Shepherd. Knowing God intimately provides us with peace and assurance that surpasses outward appearances. This personal relationship with God is cultivated through prayer, reading His Word, and spending time in His presence. It is this deep, personal connection with God that sustains us and gives us confidence in His care and guidance. [08:48]
Jeremiah 9:23-24 (ESV): "Thus says the Lord: 'Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord.'"
Reflection: Reflect on your personal relationship with God. How can you deepen your connection with Him this week through specific actions like prayer, Bible study, or worship?
Day 4: Calculate God into Every Situation
We must include God in all our calculations and decisions. When we face challenges, we should consider God's presence and power in our lives. This perspective helps us avoid unnecessary worry and trust that God will bring His plans to pass. By acknowledging God's sovereignty and seeking His guidance in every situation, we can navigate life's uncertainties with confidence and peace. This means actively seeking God's wisdom and direction in our daily decisions and trusting that He is working all things for our good. [10:27]
Proverbs 3:5-6 (ESV): "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths."
Reflection: Think of a decision or challenge you are currently facing. How can you intentionally include God in your decision-making process and seek His guidance?
Day 5: Listen to God's Voice
In a world filled with conflicting voices, it's crucial to discern and follow God's voice. Jesus' teaching in John 7 shows that true wisdom comes from God. We must ensure that we are under anointed teaching and not swayed by the opinions and doctrines of the world. This helps us stay grounded in God's truth. By prioritizing God's voice above all others, we can navigate the complexities of life with clarity and purpose, knowing that we are following His will. [14:32]
John 10:27-28 (ESV): "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand."
Reflection: What are some practical ways you can prioritize listening to God's voice in your daily life? How can you create space to hear from Him amidst the noise of the world?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "We have to just, just trust in the Lord. And, and Jordan was, was taking some of my scriptures a while ago, he was saying. But, do not fret because of evil doers, nor be envious of the workers of iniquity. For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb." [02:37] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "If we trust in the Lord and, and, and do good and dwell in his land and feed on his faithfulness. And if we delight ourselves in the Lord, he would give us the desires of our heart. Commit your way to the Lord and trust also in him. And he shall bring it to pass." [05:37] (14 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "My God is able. My God is able to supply all my needs according to his riches and glory by Christ Jesus. Amen." [07:23] (12 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "If you know, if you know the shepherd, everything's going to be all right. And I was just, I was just, you just hit me. I just, we're just reminded of it. It might be more to the story. I can't remember, but if we commit ourselves to the Lord and trust in him, he shall bring it to pass." [09:33] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "No matter what your circumstance is, consider God, consider the Lord. When I consider the Lord, the Bible says, and we just, just goes through everything that happens and we have, have to consider him." [12:10] (18 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "We have to make a decision on whether or not we're going to. Um, we're going to do this or not. And so I'm going to talk a little bit about some things we can do to give you some scriptures on that. Um, the Lord, he's full of scriptures to help us with that. And so the, do not fret, let not your heart be troubled. So we, we have to do it." [05:37] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "I believe that fretting or all of our fret and worry is caused by calculating without God. So we have to calculate God and everything. If, if, you know, here it is. And just a few short days ago, the entire world, the entire world was just shocked at how can this be? How can this happen?" [11:10] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "You can get, you will respond according to the voice in which you're listening to. And if you're just listening to the voices of what's going on, on whatever flavor of, of news network you're listening to. Let me tell you something, man, you're going to, you're going to, you're going to be like this." [14:32] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "We can't just follow every word is out there because we're get confused and lost and get just, just, just, just so chaotic. We don't know what to do. Then how do we know when we're hearing a word that we know is coming from God? Because he will not glory himself. He will only glory God." [27:41] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "We have to understand with God, all things are possible. If not, we'll start fretting. If not, we'll start losing our faith. We have to make sure. While we gather here today in the midst of a chaotic world is because we know with God, all things is possible and he is still on the throne. And we listen to his voice and we follow his voice." [21:31] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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