In simple terms, the concept of entropy holds that nature moves from order to disorder in isolated systems, in other words, entropy is a way of measuring chaos.
Right now it seems the world is in a chaotic state, a state of entropy, but in the eyes of God the chaos is only in an isolated system because every moment in time is seen by God — future and past — and by God’s holy word we know He will bring order (Jesus Christ) to the chaos.
“In those days and at that time, when I restore the fortunes of Judah and Jerusalem, I will gather all nations and bring them down to the Valley of Jehoshaphat. There I will put them on trial for what they did to my inheritance, my people Israel, because they scattered my people among the nations and divided up my land. They cast lots for my people and traded boys for prostitutes; they sold girls for wine to drink.
“Now what have you against me, Tyre and Sidon and all you regions of Philistia? Are you repaying me for something I have done? If you are paying me back, I will swiftly and speedily return on your own heads what you have done. For you took my silver and my gold and carried off my finest treasures to your temples. You sold the people of Judah and Jerusalem to the Greeks, that you might send them far from their homeland.
“‘See, I am going to rouse them out of the places to which you sold them, and I will return on your own heads what you have done. I will sell your sons and daughters to the people of Judah, and they will sell them to the Sabeans, a nation far away.’ The Lord has spoken.” — Joel 3:1-8
Pastor Ray Stedman noted, “Joel reveals the hand of God, the hand that controls destiny, the hand that moves history.”
In other words, God will bring order to the chaos of the world. In fact, for a Christian, that order can be found in Jesus Christ and his work on the cross.
A blood-bought servant of Christ’s life may be haggard and worn, but there is a foundation under there which is unshakeable, and that is the salvation that comes from Jesus Christ.
This prophecy by the prophet Joel, who likely was a contemporary of Isaiah, brings us to the last day, the day of the Lord. The whole world is arrayed against God’s people Israel.
It is a familiar refrain throughout the Bible, but it is prophecy we can see fulfilled on the evening news.
For many, they will read the words of the prophet and shrug it off as hocus pocus; others, will read the words and tremble; still others will read the words and be moved to action because the Lord is near and there are people in the world who need to hear the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Some, I suppose, long for God’s revenge on a fallen world. They long to see God’s judgment upon the world at the battle of Armageddon, but that is what we desire in our bloodlust, but maybe we should rethink our own desires and look at what God desires of us — to be living witnesses to the gospel of Jesus Christ.
We know that time is coming, and just as God told Noah in Genesis 6:3, He will once again say, “My spirit shall not strive with man forever.”
Until that day comes, though, we are to be busy about the Lord’s work, which is proclaiming to the world Christ crucified.
Upon all believers there should be a burden of souls. In our daily walk with Christ through prayer and reading of Scripture, we come to know Christ not just as our Savior, but as God incarnate who came to offer himself as the perfect sacrifice, which permanently washes away all sins who obey His call.
We also come to realize God not only redeems us, but also allows us and encourages us to take part in His redemptive plan as gardeners.
“What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe — as the Lord has assigned to each his task. I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. So neither the own who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor. For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building.” — 1 Corinthians 3:5-9
All believers are co-workers with each other to bring people to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ, but we also are privileged enough to be co-workers with God.
What greater joy is there than to work with God?
We don’t have to have the oratory skills of Billy Graham or the fire of Charles Spurgeon, but we can be used by God in everything we do, but we must allow God to take charge of our lives and understand God’s purpose.
God’s purpose is simple, and is stated by the apostle Paul in Ephesians 1:7-10, “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding, he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect with the times reach their fulfillment — to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.”
So while the world seemingly devolves into chaos we can rest easy because God has a plan, and that plan is Jesus Christ.
God has included us in His plan and as believers we will be a part of the implementation of God’s perfect plan as He brings all things on earth under the control of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
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