PASTOR DAVE’S MUSINGS FROM THE HEARTLAND

July 5, 2023

ORDER OUT OF CHAOS

Fourth of July Weekend, 2020

I have always thought that perhaps some of the most important verses to be found in the whole of the scriptures are those of Genesis 1:1 and following.  In Genesis 1:1 earth might be seen as a hurricane at sea at night.  Out of this chaos and discord God begins a process of bring order and resonance.  He creates a world that is governed by laws and that has rhythms and seasons.  He gives his creation rules and regulations to govern their lives together so that there might be order, organization, justice, and mercy.

What God began in in Genesis 1 He continues today.  The first few words of Genesis can be translated “In the beginning of God creating.”  God’s work of creating is an ongoing process that still continues.  God remains in the business of creating order out of chaos in the lives of His sons and daughters and the structures and organizations of society.  When we go through times of upheaval and uncertainty and find that our lives have become disrupted, God is at work to bring certainty, hope, and structure.

This weekend we remember the signing of the Declaration of Independence.  Near the beginning of the Declaration there are two references to a Higher Power.  One of them is familiar to most Americans: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”  Ever since 1776 there has been an ongoing debate as to who “all men” refers.  Even today the issues would seem to be unsettled in some quarters.

The second reference to a High Power is less well known.  A little earlier the Declaration talks about “the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and Of Nature’s God entitle them.” Here we have a reference to the laws that God has established to govern this universe to bring order out of chaos.  Therefore, it might be argued that the United States Constitution which logically followed from the Declaration of Independence is based on the assumption that the Constitution is an attempt to create an orderly society based on the rule of law where chaos and disorder do not rule.

On this Fourth of July weekend 2020 one might get the impression that our nation is slipping into the primordial abyss described in Genesis 1.  The daily news is filled with stories of protests, marches, demonstrations and riots.  The violent crime rate in many of our cities shows a sharp rise.  Political factions never seem to have been farther apart.  As the volatile stock market would indicate there is uncertainty about the nation’s and world’s economy.  Many questions remain about the Covid-19 virus.

As we look out on a conflicted world we should also remember that God can work through our nation’s foundational documents which were undergirded by the Judeo/Christian faith to bring order into our chaos.  He has given us all that we need to establish a stable and just society.  If we turn to Him and rely upon the laws, insights and principles which He has given, He will give us the wisdom and insight we need to restore order and stability.

This article was originally published July 5, 2020.