This three-part teaching, Hope in the Midst of Chaos, takes us on a journey of learning and faith. Each part talks about hope when life feels confusing or out of control, but each one looks at it in a different way.
Part 1 helps us see what’s happening around us. It reminds us that the chaos we see isn’t just physical; it’s a spiritual battle. Even when things look dark, God is still in charge and His Word never changes.
Part 2 goes deeper into what’s happening to us. It talks about why we go through pain or hard times and shows how God uses those moments to grow our faith, shape our hearts, and bring us closer to Him.
Part 3 lifts our eyes higher to see the bigger picture. It connects what’s happening in the world to prophecy, especially Psalm 2; and shows how people’s rebellion against God proves His plan is still moving forward. It reminds us to stay strong and faithful, knowing YHWH and His Meshiach still rule over everything.
These three parts don’t repeat the same message, they build on each other. They move from what’s going on around us, to what’s happening in us, to what’s unfolding above us. Together, they show us that even when the world shakes, our hope in God stands firm. Enjoy!
Hope In the Midst of Chaos (Part 1)
The world feels like it’s spinning out of control these days. If you’ve been paying attention to the news, watching the political landscape shift, or simply observing how things seem to be deteriorating in our communities, it’s hard to ignore the feeling that something has gone seriously wrong. From the chaos in Washington, D.C. and other major political cities, to the deepening divisions in society, it feels like everything we once thought stable is now in question.
The last forty five years or so have been a whirlwind of political scandals, cultural battles, and global tensions. Leaders who once inspired trust now seem to be more concerned with holding onto power than serving the people they were elected to represent. Scandals dominate the headlines, misinformation spreads like wildfire, and people seem more divided than ever. Washington, D.C. along with several other states, once symbols of democracy, has become a symbol of chaos and corruption. It’s as if the very heart of the nation has been overtaken by confusion and self-interest. “For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He takes the wise in their own craftiness.” (1 Corinthians 3:19).
But even beyond politics, the cultural shifts we’re witnessing are just as unsettling. It seems like society is losing its moral compass. The values that once anchored us; honesty, integrity, respect, and a sense of community, are increasingly being replaced by self-serving ideologies that confuse right from wrong. Good is evil, evil is good. God tells us in Isaiah 5:20 Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! Everything feels upside down, and it’s easy to lose hope when you’re constantly faced with a world that seems to be spiraling into darkness.
When you look at everything going on, it’s easy to get discouraged. There’s a temptation to feel like this is all leading somewhere we don’t want to go. The world’s problems seem overwhelming, and the future uncertain. But here’s the thing: the chaos we see around us is not the end of the story. This is not the final chapter. If we are willing to look beyond the noise, we can find the peace and hope that we’re so desperately searching for. For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints. (1 Corinthians 14:33)
It’s easy to feel like we’re alone in this battle, but we are not. There’s a bigger picture at play, one that goes beyond the headlines and the political power struggles. What we are seeing today is part of a much larger, spiritual battle. The forces of darkness are real, and they are actively working to deceive, divide, and destroy. Washington, D.C. might be a physical representation of that battle, but the real struggle is spiritual. This battle is for the hearts and minds of people, and for the soul of the nation. “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” (Ephesians 6:12)
But here’s the good news: despite how dark things may seem, God is still in control. He is not surprised by the chaos unfolding around us, nor is He distant from our struggles. As His believers, we can rest in the knowledge that God has a plan, and no amount of corruption or confusion can derail it. His Word tells us that He will make all things right in the end. “For the Lord will not forsake his people for his great name’s sake: because it hath pleased the Lord to make you his people.” (1 Samuel 12:22)
This is not to say that we should ignore the issues around us or pretend like they don’t matter. On the contrary, as followers of Mashiach, we are called to be active participants in the world, to stand up for justice, to speak truth, and to be a light in the darkness. But at the same time, we must not lose sight of the fact that God is ultimately in control, and His plans will not be thwarted. “A man’s heart devises his way: but the Lord directs his steps.” (Proverbs 16:9)
The truth is, the world is changing, but God’s Word remains unchanging. In a world where truth is often twisted or ignored, we can take comfort in the fact that God’s promises are sure. We don’t have to look to politicians, media outlets, or even our own understanding of events to find truth. God’s Word is the one constant, the foundation on which we can build our lives. “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.” (Hebrews 13:8) When everything else feels unstable, we can cling to the rock that is Christ.
In these times of chaos, we are called to be grounded in truth. That truth is not subject to the whims of culture, the latest news cycle, or political trends. It is found in the eternal Word of God. The truth of who God is, the truth of what He has done for us through Christ, and the truth of the hope we have in Him—this is the anchor that holds us steady in a stormy world. “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” (Psalm 119:105)
But how do we live out this truth in the midst of all the confusion? How do we remain faithful and hopeful when it feels like the world is falling apart? The answer lies in keeping our eyes on the bigger picture, the eternal picture. While the world may be in turmoil, we know that this is not the end. We are living in the midst of a much larger story, one that stretches from the beginning of time to the final restoration of all things.
Our hope is not in the politicians, the media, or the culture. It is in Christ. The world will change, but God’s kingdom will never be shaken. As believers, we are part of something far greater than any political system or cultural trend. We are part of God’s eternal kingdom, and nothing in this world can take that away from us. When we focus on that reality, we can find peace, even in the midst of chaos. “Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear.” (Hebrews 12:28)
This doesn’t mean we should ignore the world around us or pretend like the problems aren’t real. On the contrary, we are called to be active participants in God’s plan for the world. We are called to stand for truth, to be advocates for justice, and to love our neighbors as ourselves. But we do so with the understanding that we are not fighting for temporary victories, we are fighting for eternal ones. Our ultimate hope is not in the outcome of any election or the resolution of any cultural conflict. Our hope is in the return of Christ and the final restoration of all things. “But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.” (2 Peter 3:10)
When we understand this, it changes the way we approach everything. It gives us the strength to face the struggles of the world with a sense of purpose and hope. It reminds us that even when things seem bleak, God is working behind the scenes, bringing about His good purposes in ways we can’t always see. We are called to trust in His timing and His plan, even when it doesn’t make sense to us. “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.” (Jeremiah 29:11)
In the end, the chaos we see around us is a reminder that we are living in a broken world, one that desperately needs the hope of Christ. It’s a reminder that we are not home yet. But while we are here, we are called to be lights in the darkness, to speak truth in a world of lies, and to live with hope in a world that so often feels hopeless. We may not have all the answers, but we know the One who does.
So, as the world spins out of control, as the chaos intensifies, we can stand firm. We can stand in the truth, in the hope, and in the peace that only Christ can give. And we can be confident that, no matter what happens, God’s plan is still unfolding, and one day, He will make all things new. “And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new.” (Revelation 21:5)
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Faith in the Midst of Chaos Part 2
The question of why bad things happen in a world that’s supposedly guided by a loving, all-powerful God has been asked for centuries. It’s the kind of question that makes us wrestle with our faith and understanding of both God’s character and His plan for the world. The presence of evil, suffering, and pain in a world that’s ultimately under God’s direction is something many struggle to reconcile. So, let’s break this down in a way that helps make sense of it, rooted in Scripture and the truths we see in the Bible.
The first thing we have to remember is that God’s sovereignty is not in question, even in the midst of bad things happening. The Bible is clear: God is in control. Proverbs 16:9 says, “A man’s heart devises his way: but the Lord directs his steps.” This verse doesn’t just say that God gives us free will to choose but that He is actively directing our paths, even when we don’t understand it. God isn’t caught by surprise by the chaos in the world. He is actively involved and, in ways we may not immediately see, working out His purposes.
But here’s the part that people often get hung up on: God’s sovereignty doesn’t mean that He causes all the suffering we experience. He does not create evil or suffering for the sake of seeing us hurt. When we look at the world around us, it’s clear that sin, human rebellion against God, has broken everything. From the very beginning, in Genesis 3, when Adam and Eve disobeyed God, sin entered the world, and with it came death, disease, destruction, and every kind of suffering we see today. The Bible says in Romans 5:12, “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned.” It’s through sin that suffering entered, not through God’s design.
But why does God allow it? Why not step in and stop all the bad things from happening if He’s in control? We can look at Job’s story for insight into that question. Job was a man who loved God, but he endured unimaginable suffering. He lost his wealth, his health, and his family. His friends questioned him, and even his wife told him to curse God and die. But Job’s response, though full of pain, ultimately pointed to his trust in God’s greater plan. In Job 42:2, he says, “I know that you can do every thing, and that no thought can be withheld from you.” Job knew that even though he didn’t understand why all of this was happening to him, God was still in control. The final chapter of Job’s life shows us that God had a purpose even in his suffering, Job’s faith was tested and refined, and in the end, God restored him with even more than he had at the first.
This brings us to the reality that suffering is often part of God’s plan to refine us, to make us more like Him. In Romans 8:28, we are reminded, “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” It doesn’t say that everything that happens is good, but that God can use even the painful, difficult moments to work for the good of those who love Him. God does not waste our pain. He can use it to bring about something greater in us, something that may not make sense at the moment but will eventually serve a higher purpose.
Consider the lives of people like Joseph, who was sold into slavery by his brothers. He faced years of hardship and imprisonment, yet in the end, God used those years to position Joseph to save not only his family but an entire nation. Genesis 50:20 says, “But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.” Joseph’s suffering wasn’t random; it was part of God’s plan to save lives.
Another example is that of the Apostle Paul, who suffered greatly for the sake of the gospel. In 2 Corinthians 11:24-28, Paul lists some of the countless ways he endured suffering: beaten, imprisoned, shipwrecked, and much more. Yet, he viewed all of it as part of his calling and mission. He said in Philippians 3:10, “That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death.” Paul understood that suffering had the potential to draw him closer to God and to shape him into a vessel that could be used for God’s glory.
This is where we must trust in God’s character. We may not always understand why certain things happen, but we can be sure that He is good, just, and loving. Psalm 34:8 says, “O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusts in him.” Even when we can’t see the end of the story, we can trust that God is good, that He cares about us, and that He is working all things, good and bad, together for His purposes. And ultimately, His purpose is to draw people to Himself.
It’s in the most broken places, the darkest moments, that we often see God’s light shine brightest. The story of the cross is the ultimate example of this. Jesus, the Son of God, suffered the ultimate injustice, being crucified for crimes He did not commit. He experienced the weight of all human suffering on the cross. But that suffering, that pain, led to the greatest victory the world has ever known: Jesus rose from the dead, defeating death and offering eternal life to all who believe. In the same way, God can take the brokenness in our lives and transform it into something beautiful.
This leads us to the concept of “New Beginnings,” (the original name of my first site and book) the idea that in the midst of hardship, God is always preparing us for something new. Jesus promised in John 16:33, “In the world you shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” The tribulation we experience is not the end. God has a new beginning for us, even in the midst of pain. Our suffering is not in vain, it is part of the process that refines us, draws us closer to God, and prepares us for the new life He wants to give us.
We often need to look beyond the immediate pain and focus on the hope that we have in Christ. 2 Corinthians 4:17 tells us, “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, works for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.” The struggles we face now, though painful, are temporary. God’s eternal plan, the glory that awaits us, far outweighs anything we go through on earth.
So, what do we do in the meantime, when the world feels overwhelming, when we’re faced with suffering and loss? We trust God. We lean into His promises. We trust that He is with us, that He’s directing our steps, even when we don’t understand the path. And we trust that His ultimate goal is to bring us into a closer relationship with Him and to use us for His glory. As we walk through the pain, we can hold onto the truth that God is good, He is faithful, and He is working all things for our good and His glory. New beginnings are possible, even in the midst of life’s hardest trials.
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In the Midst of Chaos Part 3
It’s not your imagination. The world really does feel like it’s unraveling. One glance at the headlines, a scroll through the news, or even just standing in line at the grocery store and overhearing folks talk, it all carries the same undertone: confusion, division, and a kind of spiritual fatigue that makes the soul ache. People are worn down. Morality is being rewritten, like a student scribbling on top of their own failing test paper, hoping no one will notice. Even Washington, D.C., which was once lifted high as a beacon of democracy, now feels like a symbol of chaos, corruption, and contradiction. But this isn’t new. It’s just that the curtain has been pulled back a little further, and we’re seeing the spiritual battle that’s always been there, only now with a sharper edge.
“For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God.” That’s what Paul told the Corinthians, and it’s still true today (1 Corinthians 3:19). What the world parades as wisdom is often nothing but well-dressed folly and stupidity. The powers-that-be conspire, the media plays its games, and everyday folks are left wondering what’s real and what’s just noise. But this isn’t just political. It’s deeply spiritual. What we’re witnessing isn’t just the breakdown of civil order, it’s the outward expression of an inward rebellion. This whole thing is Psalm 2 playing out in real time.
“Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing?” the psalmist asks (Psalm 2:1). That Hebrew word for “heathen” is goyim—the nations, the gentiles, the people outside the covenant community of God. The word “rage” comes from hamon, suggesting a violent, turbulent roar like the ocean in a storm. It’s the sound of rebellion, unrest, and sheer arrogance. The phrase “imagine a vain thing” isn’t about daydreams, it’s yagah, plotting useless things, conspiring in vain against the God who made them.
Sound familiar?
The kings of the earth, those in political power, cultural influence, and media control, have “set themselves” (yatsab, meaning to station oneself firmly), and the rulers take counsel together against the Lord and against His Mashiach; His Anointed, His Messiah. They say, “Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us” (Psalm 2:2–3). These aren’t just metaphorical ropes. The “bands” (moseroth) and “cords” (aboth) speak of divine restraints, the moral and spiritual guidelines that God lovingly put in place to preserve order. But the world sees them as chains. They call God’s wisdom “oppression,” and His law “limitation.”
You and I see it every day: good called evil, evil called good. Righteousness mocked. Wickedness celebrated. And the loudest voices belong to those shaking their fists at heaven, insisting that they know better. But God isn’t wringing His hands. He’s not pacing the floors of heaven wondering how this is all going to turn out. “He that sits in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision” (Psalm 2:4). Now, this isn’t giggly laughter, it’s sachaq, a mocking, sovereign chuckle. It’s the same kind of derision a parent has when a toddler in diapers insists they’re running away from home with a peanut butter sandwich and one sock. God sees the rebellion of men and calls it what it is: vanity. Futility. Utter foolishness.
He speaks, and it shakes the heavens: “Yet have I set my King upon my holy hill of Zion” (Psalm 2:6). The rebellion of man does not alter the decree of God. He says, “I will declare the decree: the Lord hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee” (Psalm 2:7). This speaks of Jesus, the monogenēs, the only begotten, the uniquely born Son, the Messiah of Israel and the hope of the nations. God isn’t just asserting His authority here; He’s unveiling His eternal plan. Christ is King. He always has been, and He always will be.
Even the inheritance is already spoken for. “Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession” (Psalm 2:8). God’s Son isn’t just King of heaven; He’s King of everything. The borders of His reign stretch from one end of eternity to the other, and no rebellion will stand in His way. “You shall break them with a rod of iron; you shall dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel” (Psalm 2:9). That rod isn’t decorative, it’s shebet, the scepter of ruling authority. It’s strength, justice, and finality. When Christ comes again, He won’t be wearing a crown of thorns. He’ll have many crowns, and no man will stand before Him without bending the knee.
So what do we do while the world rages and tumbles headlong into its own destruction? “Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth. Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling” (Psalm 2:10–11). That’s our call too. Wisdom begins with the fear (awesome respect) of the Lord, not the fear of what’s happening in D.C., or Beijing, or any news feed. Reverence isn’t just for Sunday mornings. It’s a posture of heart in the middle of the storm. We are not helpless bystanders, we are ambassadors of a kingdom that cannot be moved (Hebrews 12:28). God is not the one you wind up on Sundays.
And then the Psalm ends with the quiet but powerful line: “Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way… Blessed are all they that put their trust in him” (Psalm 2:12). The kiss isn’t romantic. It’s surrender. It’s allegiance. It’s the act of recognizing that Jesus Christ is not just a gentle teacher or a good shepherd, but the rightful ruler of every nation, every heart, every soul.
So we circle back to today’s world. All this chaos? It’s the smoke from the fires of rebellion. The politics, the headlines, the bitterness across kitchen tables and church aisles, that’s just the fruit of hearts that don’t want God to rule. The confusion is real, yes. The discouragement can be overwhelming. But God is not the author of confusion, but of peace (1 Corinthians 14:33). This storm is not the end. It’s just the backdrop for something far more eternal.
“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities… against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places” (Ephesians 6:12). So don’t get tricked into thinking this is just about who’s sitting in the Oval Office or what bill passed last week, or hasn’t been passed yet. This is about the kingdom of God advancing against the kingdom of darkness. And even though the battle is fierce, it is already won.
God has not forsaken His people. “For the Lord will not forsake his people for his great name’s sake” (1 Samuel 12:22). His covenant stands. His promises are yes and amen. And He has told us where to anchor our hope: not in the economy, not in politicians, not in social media posts that “get it right”, but in Jesus, the King already installed on Zion’s hill.
And what do we do with that hope? We live it. We stand in it. We proclaim it. We keep our lamps burning in a darkening world. We don’t back down from truth, even when it’s unpopular. We don’t surrender to fear, even when the future looks bleak. And we don’t stop praying, loving, or speaking the name of Jesus, because He is the only name that brings peace in the chaos.
This isn’t a call to hide from the world or pretend it’s not on fire. It’s a call to remember that while the nations rage and the earth shakes, we belong to a kingdom that’s built on a foundation that cannot be shaken. “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever” (Hebrews 13:8). The cultural winds may shift, but the Rock remains unmoved.
Even now, as the potter shapes His vessel, as the Shepherd gathers His sheep, as the Lion prepares to roar, He is not done. We are not home yet, but we are not alone. We are lights in a darkened world, called not to retreat, but to reflect the glory of the King who is coming soon.
“And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new” (Revelation 21:5). He didn’t say I might. He said I will. And that’s where our hope lives, not in speculation, but in certainty. Christ will reign. Every knee will bow. And until then, we press on, full of hope, full of truth, full of Christ.