God is A God of Peace and Not Disorder-

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As I walked along the beach with the sound of the ocean, pounding the shore with the rhythm of roar of waves and the withdrawal of the tide back to the sea, conservationists trying to save baby turtles, sweet river water from the mountains, snaking its way to the sea, gentle wind making bamboo trees moan, groan and pop like lovers’ side by side dancing with the weight of each other, it dawned on me that this is all part of God’s good earth.  God made it this way.  You and I are stewards of this earth for only a moment in time

As I think of the wonderful order of the world and universe, I think about the words of the Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 14 when he talks about how God is a God not of disorder but peace:

1 Corinthians 14: 33 for God is a God not of disorder but of peace. [1]

This passage from the Apostle Paul is his way of punctuating a larger point about speaking in tongues.  Paul was concerned that the tradition of speaking in tongues was becoming out of control and a distraction from corporate worship.  We do not hear one word from Jesus regarding speaking in tongues and evidently in his time it was not an issue in worship.  However, after the day of Pentecost, some followers of Jesus seemed more focused on speaking in tongues that the interpretation of tongues or in some case, more than anything else in worship.  So, Paul feels compelled to lay down some ground rules regarding speaking in tongues in order to make the worship experience a time of peace and not disorder.  Listen to what he says regarding the path to peace in worship:

1 Corinthians 14: 26 What should be done then, my friends? When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Let all things be done for building up. 27 If anyone speaks in a tongue, let there be only two or at most three, and each in turn; and let one interpret. 28 But if there is no one to interpret, let them be silent in church and speak to themselves and to God. 29 Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others weigh what is said. 30 If a revelation is made to someone else sitting nearby, let the first person be silent. 31 For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all be encouraged. 32 And the spirits of prophets are subject to the prophets, 33 for God is a God not of disorder but of peace. [2]

Just as Paul sought peace in our praise of God and worship, you and I should also seek peace in worship, peace in church and peace in the way we conduct our lives.  Some people seem more comfortable with confusion than peace.  I think these folk often are not sure where they stand, so they actually revel in confusion. My encouragement to you this day is that you might seek peace and not disorder.

 

Questions for Reflection:

  1. What are some of the reasons a believer in God might become caught\up in disorder?
  2. What steps must a person take to find inner peace?

 Prayer:

God, help me to seek peace and not confusion.  Lord, teach me thy way and help me to recognize and celebrate the spirituality of each person.  Lord, make me never so haughty in my faith that I might look down and disparage the genuine faith of another human being.  Lord, show me the path to kindness and sincerity as I reach out in love to all of your children.  Lord, grant me the courage to rise above the temptation to merely keep the peace, but grant me the strength to do what it takes to make peace a possibility. Show me the way and I will travel.  Talk to me and I will listen.  Guide me and I will follow.  Through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior I pray.  Amen.

 Written by Rev. Dr.  Nicholas Hood III

Photo by Nicholas Hood III – “Eastern Edge of Trinidad”

Additional Prayers Photos and Meditations from Rev. Dr. Nicholas Hood III at https://nicholashoodiiiministries.wordpress.com/

Publications by Rev. Dr. Nicholas Hood III: “The Test, The Strength, The Endurance and the Way Out” and “An African American Passover Celebration” at www.nicholashoodiiiministries.org

 

 

[1] The Holy Bible: New Revised Standard Version. (1989). (1 Co 14:33). Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers.

[2] The Holy Bible: New Revised Standard Version. (1989). (1 Co 14:26–33). Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers.