PERFECTION OF DIVINE ORDER

“Let all things be done decently and in ORDER” – 1 Corinthians 14:40

Our Divine Identity in Christ is part of the basis for the PERFECTION of DIVINE ORDER: “Let all things be done decently and in ORDER” (1 Cor.14:40). We praise the Lord for His Grace that has seen us through the first three quarters of the year, and ushers us into this month of Perfection of Divine Order! Although our meditation text is focused on a Call to Orderly Worship, God desires that ALL THINGS be done decently and IN ORDER in all aspects of our lives as human beings, and particularly as His Children – Citizens of His Kingdom. God wants not only to establish, but also to perfect, maximise or fully fulfil His Order in all facets of our lives and destinies – personal and collective.

The word “Order” has two shades of meanings. First, it describes the arrangement or organisation of people or things in relation to each other, based on a particular pattern, hierarchy or sequence. We may therefore refer to: making a list in alphabetical order; restoring a sense or semblance of order to a space or setting; maintaining a machine in good order; or keeping law and order in a community or in society as a whole. In this sense, order could infer: appropriate arrangement; sound structure; functional system; conventional classification; proper procedure; conformity with decorum; or established form, layout or sequence. Order could also refer to an authoritative command, directive, decree, instruction or mandate.

GOD, our Maker, Redeemer, and Father is the God of Order. There is no chaos, confusion, disarray or disorder in Him: “For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints” (v.33). The New Living Translation says: “For God is not a God of disorder but of peace” (v.33a). Creation’s records in Genesis 1 and 2 confirm many facets of order: regarding specific elements; sequence of events; and regularity of times and seasons. Romans 8:30 also reveals the Perfection of Order in redemption: “whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.” There is no fortuitous event with God. The Supreme Commander over the vast creation pre-planned all things based on established principles, patterns, forms, systems, structures, and sequences.

God is our Model of Order. Wise people have rightly asserted that “Order is the first law in heaven”! Whether in time or in eternity, nothing is accidental, random or left to chance in the divine scheme of things. Everything has an appointed purpose, plan, place, and time. God ensures that all things fit divine protocols, timings, and details. There is an appointed time for every activity under the heavens (Eccl. 3:1). By divine design, all prophecies and judgments have designated times to occur. Even the revelation of God’s Word and covenants are perfectly ordered. Moreover, His instructions and mandates to Moses, concerning the Tabernacle and Priesthood services, were saturated with detailed and comprehensive instructions to guarantee Order (Exo.40). A succession of prophets, kings and priests kept the order in place through the ages.

Humanity is currently experiencing seasons of instability, quakes, and shakings that make hearts and lives long for some semblance of order or equilibrium. The firm foundation of God’s Word provides needed solace and succour: “Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat upon that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded upon a rock” (Mt.7:24-25). God has a system of order for everything. These are embedded in His Word and sustained by His Spirit. Contrary to popular ideas, spiritual realities are not disorderly: “the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets” (v.32).

As we meditate in God’s Word, we shall encounter His Order in all aspects of our lives – spiritual, mental, physical, marital, financial, and relational. He’ll establish and perfect Divine Order in our hearts, minds, bodies, marriages, homes, careers, businesses, ministries, communities, neighbourhoods, cities, nations, and particularly, His Church.