August 1, 2008

I know a lot of folks who feel insecure about their world today.  Changing landscapes in the world’s political climate and our nation’s economic unpredictability, along with the burdensome difficulties and challenges of joblessness, severe health issues, and brokenness in family relationships have a way of producing in us the effect of an all-consuming anxiety.  What a world of uncertainty seems to lie before our eyes! 

But is the fact of such uncertainty actually very new to us?  Are things so very different now then in the days in which there was a collective fear that an atomic bomb could come crashing down upon us at any moment?  Or when European powers became so enmeshed in conflict that the rest of the world was drawn into war (twice)?  Or when the financial world teetered off the edge into a chasm of chaos nearly a hundred years ago, creating a great economic depression? 

And, of course, worldwide events over the last few decades have certainly reminded us that many things seem tragically and horribly uncertain – from genocide in the Sudan or eastern Europe to recent government control in Myanmar that is so tight and restrictive that help for its own people was blocked at almost every turn after cyclone Nargis hit.  

So what is one to do when fretting over worldwide events or dealing with personal and private calamites that come his or her way?  Well, in uncertain times, there are two certain truths that avail the child of God the peace and security of God’s promises.  The first is that no matter how uncertain one’s situation, God Himself is certain.  He is the Unmoved Mover, Who has always been and always will be.  He “laid the earth’s foundations”, “laying its cornerstone – while the morning stars sang together and all the angels shouted for joy”, and “gives orders to the morning, and shows the dawn its place” (from Job 38:4,6-7, 12). 

In other words, storms come and storms go (literally and figuratively), but they cannot budge the One Who knows “the way to the place where the lightning is dispersed, or the place where the east winds are scattered over the earth” (from Job 38:24). 

“Ascribe to the LORD, O mighty ones, ascribe to the LORD the glory due His name; worship the LORD in the splendor of His holiness.  The voice of the LORD is over the waters; the God of glory thunders, the LORD thunders over the mighty waters.  The voice of the LORD is powerful; the voice of the LORD is majestic” (Psalm 29:1-4 NIV). 

The second truth is that God’s love for His people is certain… as certain as He is.  Like David in Psalm 8, we can marvel that although God’s glory is above the heavens, and in spite of His setting the moon and stars in their places, He is mindful of men, the children of men that He cares for them. 

In uncertain times then, those who have placed their faith in Jesus Christ may turn their eyes from the uncertainties surrounding them and the anxious thoughts surging within them and gaze at the wonder of God’s love… revealed perfectly in the dying of God’s Son as a perfect sacrifice for the rebellious sin of men and women everywhere.  But also vindicated perfectly in Jesus’ resurrection, proving that no matter how severe our storms may seem, God’s power and love triumph over all! 

Are you living with cords of uncertainty entangling you?  Are they choking joy and peace out of your life?  If so, turn your eyes back again to God.  Learn to “cast your cares upon Him for He cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7).  Remember that joy and peace are but some of the fruit that God can produce in your life if you simply submit in faith to His love, surrender to His will in obedience, and seek Him with all your heart in all that you are and do. 

“Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well…. He Who did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for us all – how will He not also, along with Him, graciously give us all things?” (Matthew 6:33, Romans 8:32 NIV). 

In what appear to be uncertain times, you can be a man or woman whose life has the certainty of eternity undergirding it, so step out of the confusion of what your own wisdom and strength avail for you, and step into the hope that can only be found in God’s love for you. 

“My eyes are fixed on You, O Sovereign LORD; in You I take refuge.  Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and Your dominion endures through all generations” (from Psalm 141:8 & 145:13).   

(Thom Mollohan and his family have ministered in southern Ohio the past thirteen years and is the  author of The Fairy Tale Parables:  Classic Fairy Tales Pointing to God's Love and Truth.  He is the pastor of Pathway Community Church and may be reached for comments or questions by email at pastorthom@pathwaygallipolis.com).