There are many times in my life when it seems like the future is uncertain.
Whether it’s something that relates to us personally or a frightening event going on in the world, we may oftentimes feel as though we’re grasping at straws, trying to find some secure footing on the quaking ground.
It’s easy to say “just trust God”. But our fears can be bigger than our faith in dark moments.
When this happens to me, at first I believe that I have good reason to worry. I think, “what is this world coming to?” or “if only I lived 100 years ago, things were better then” or “people have become so evil and wicked, I’m sure Jesus will come back soon!”.
But are these statements really true? Solomon tells us the opposite.
“What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun.” Eccl. 1:9
Sadly, we are over-exposed to a lot of terrible things because of the availability of the internet and world-wide news media.
While this can serve to make us aware of what is going on and motivate us to pray, I believe it can also give us an unhealthy dose of fear and trepidation. In short, it makes me want to hide under a rock (and take my husband and children with me).
Let’s reflect for a moment on the Israelites in the Old Testament: held in captivity in Egypt for about 400 years, then becoming nomads for 40 years, only the youngest generation able to see the Promised Land.
King David was hunted down by King Saul, Paul was heavily persecuted for his faith and thousands of Christians in the early centuries were publicly killed because of their confession of belief in Christ. Many martyrs throughout Scripture and history have experienced unbelievably difficult trials because of opposition to the Gospel and what was going on around them.
There were times when these men and women despaired as well. The people of Israel mixed their beliefs in God with idols or abandoned faith altogether and David cried out many times in the Psalms, using deep words of suffering: “How long shall the wicked, O Lord, how long shall the wicked exult?” Psalm 94:3, NASB
Precious souls throughout history have struggled, just as I have, to understand the purpose in it all and to feel secure.
And yet there was always something constant in the midst of trouble. Something certain. There was God. There IS God!
“Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation. God, the Lord, is my strength; he makes my feet like the deer’s; he makes me tread on my high places.” Habakkuk 3:17-19, ESV
He is always there. In the midst of personal trials that we cannot rescue ourselves from. During a government shutdown, hard economic conditions, poor family situations, persecution, wars, hunger and thirst, He is there. He is not far off, even though it may feel that way at times.
Even when it is hard to trust, He is trustworthy.
And when we fail Him and fail in our faith, He gives us the grace that we need.
“The works of His hands are faithful and just; all His precepts are trustworthy; they are established forever and ever, to be performed with faithfulness and uprightness.” Psalm 111:7-8, ESV
Praise the Lord that we serve a God who is certain, even in uncertain times.
Do you battle to keep things in perspective when difficult times come? Do you worry unnecessarily and make fear-based choices? What is your biggest struggle in this area?
WANT TO SPEAK WITH GRACE TO YOUR KIDS INSTEAD OF YELLING?
