When Confusion Comes

There are times when the Lord will use the environment of confusion to defeat the lies being expressed in our personal lives and even within a nation. When it appears that darkness is deepening its grip and creating confusion, the Lord will make Himself known in the confusion.

Confusion has been used in Scripture to demonstrate how God’s Spirit works.

In the Red Sea crossing, the Lord confused the Egyptians and “threw their forces into total confusion” (Exodus 14:24). As a result of that confusion, the Israelites were able to complete their crossing.

As the Lord was instructing Israel how He would work through them in the future, He told them not to be afraid. He would be among them fighting for them and regarding the enemies they would face, “He would throw them into complete confusion” (Deuteronomy 7:23).

As Samuel led Israel into battle, “The Philistines were thrown into such confusion that the Israelites defeated them” (I Samuel 7:10). Victory was not about human might, but the presence of God among His people that would bring victory, especially when it appeared they are outnumbered.

When Paul visited Ephesus and proclaimed the Gospel, people making the silver idols dedicated to the Greek goddess, Artemis, began to lose their share of the business. Because of the Gospel and its effects upon the hearts of people, many began to align with the Lord, and a riot took place, “Soon the whole city was filled with confusion” (Acts 19:29).

When Paul preached in Jerusalem, what he said created a city-wide uproar. He was dragged out of the Temple to be killed. The leader of the Roman regiment heard of what was happening, “Since he couldn’t find out the truth in all the uproar and confusion, he ordered that Paul be taken to the fortress” (Acts 21:34). Proclaiming the Gospel does not always result in a peaceful introduction. But in the confusion, the Lord is made known.

While we should seek peace with all people, the response to our attempt at peace is not always peacefully welcomed. When it seems like all control is lost in the confusion, God will use that confusion for His purposes.

We are living in a time when what we are being told on public platforms, even from some pulpits, is not the truth, it is a lie. It can seem as if the truths of God are fading away in the resulting confusion. Do not fear the confusion that is coming. God will use the confusion to awaken people to His truth and bring clarity in this confusing time.

This is an updated edition of a post originally published on Garris Elkins

Featured Image by JJ Shev on Unsplash

About the Author

Garris Elkins is a Kingdom Winds Contributor. He and his wife, Jan, serve the global Church through writing, speaking, and mentoring. They live in southern Oregon, tucked away in the foothills of the Rogue Valley. Their shared desire is to have each person learn how to hear the heart of God and become a transforming voice in their culture.

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