Dazed & Confused

Have you wondered why everything seems to be more difficult lately and takes more time than it used to? Everyone seems so confused and exasperated. Why? The answer can be found within the pages of your own Bible. For an overview of what's happening and an overall "compare and contrast" between the way it is under God's blessing and the way it is without that blessing, read Leviticus chapter 26 and Deuteronomy chapter 28. It is amazing that man still thinks he can solve his own problems. He will not be successful. You cannot solve spiritual problems through political means.

What used to take only momentary attention now requires continual effort and followup. We are told that at the time of the end and Jacob's trouble there will be confusion and a confounding of the minds of the disobedient. Each and every one of the faithful still has to operate in that environment amongst a prevailing mindset of disorganization and confusion akin to the "fog of war" our fighting men experience though to a much lesser degree, I'm sure. How can we manage this on a day to day basis without succumbing to the melee around us? Here are a few passages that speak of the overall general confusion that seems so pervasive these days -
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Do they provoke me to anger? saith the LORD: do they not provoke themselves to the confusion of their own faces? (Jer 7:19)

O Lord, to us belongeth confusion of face, to our kings, to our princes, and to our fathers, because we have sinned against thee. (Dan 9:8)

For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. (Jas 3:16)

Confounded be all they that serve graven images, that boast themselves of idols: worship him, all ye gods. (Psa 97:7)

They shall be ashamed, and also confounded, all of them: they shall go to confusion together that are makers of idols. (Isa 45:16)

[In case you think we don't have idols today, think again - Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: (Col 3:5)]

For a voice of wailing is heard out of Zion, How are we spoiled! we are greatly confounded, because we have forsaken the land, because our dwellings have cast us out. (Jer 9:19)

Not for your sakes do I this, saith the Lord GOD, be it known unto you: be ashamed and confounded for your own ways, O house of Israel. (Eze 36:32)

The nations shall see and be confounded at all their might: they shall lay their hand upon their mouth, their ears shall be deaf. (Mic 7:16)

And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness. (2Th 2:10-12)
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We are not to be confused and confounded though -

Let them be confounded that persecute me, but let not me be confounded: let them be dismayed, but let not me be dismayed: bring upon them the day of evil, and destroy them with double destruction. (Jer 17:18)

In thee, O LORD, do I put my trust: let me never be put to confusion. (Psa 71:1)

For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints. (1Co 14:33)

Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded. (1Pet 2:6)
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We are to continually encourage and uplift one another. We are to help one another through these times, encouraging each other to keep the faith. There will be times when you feel strong; seek out someone to encourage. There will be times when we feel weak or discouraged; seek out someone who is stronger at that time. This same individual may need your encouragement come time when the roles are reversed.

I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. (1Ti 2:1-4)

But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. (Heb 3:13)

Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. (Jud 1:3)

Take it one day at a time -

Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof. (Mat 6:34)

Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men. (1Th 5:14)

Be patient with those around you with whom God is dealing. Give them the benefit of the doubt. They have the same issues to deal with that we do but WITHOUT God's Holy Spirit. Can you imagine what that must be like? Cut them some slack, love them anyway. They may be looking for the hope that's tucked away in you and me and you may be the one person God has lead them to because He knows He can trust you with their fractured spirit and to lead them to the truth.

And as always, we must stay focused on Christ, the Rock of our salvation.

We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. (2Co 4:8-10)

Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus. (Rev 14:12)

Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. (Isa 26:3)

Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. (Joh 14:27)

The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth. (Psa 145:18)


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