UNCERTAINTY

Uncertainty – that’s one of the things causing havoc in our world today. The stock market is going up and down, and experts say it’s because of uncertainty. We don’t know how long businesses should be shut down because of uncertainty. Students don’t know when school will resume because of – uncertainty. Churches don’t know when we can resume in-person worship because of – uncertainty. We don’t know when the “curve will be flattened” and the containment of the coronavirus be such that we can resume normal activities – uncertainty.

Uncertainty has taken a toll on our economy, on our physical health, on our emotional health. How long can people stay self-quarantined and not get “cabin fever?” How long can we live with digital ministry to supply our needs for relating to other people through worship?

We need to replace uncertainty with certainty. I’m with Paul! Here are three things of which he and I – and you – can be certain:

1. I am certain that God is able. Paul writes in 2 Timothy 1:12, “I know in whom I am believing and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I’ve committed to Him until the day of His return.” My translation – He didn’t say I think or maybe or I hope. He said I know, I am certain. I am certain that God is able. For how long can we believe in the fact that God is able? Until the time of His return – and after that, certainty will never be an issue again!
2. I am certain that God has a purpose. In Romans 8:28, Paul writes, “We know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose for them.” My translation – Paul is certain of what he is saying about everything – not isolated events, but everything. Paul knows that God is working and it is for good if you love God. He is certain that God has a purpose. We can’t know what’s going to happen, but certainty comes when we trust Him who is working out His purpose for life. Trusting what God is doing brings certainty!
3. I can be certain because nothing can ever separate me from God’s love. Paul writes in Romans 8:38, “I know that nothing can ever separate us from His love. Death can’t, life can’t, the angels can’t, the demons can’t, our fears for today, and our worries for tomorrow and even the powers of hell can’t separate us from God’s love.” My translation – Paul was so certain about God’s love that he said, “Nothing can separate us from God’s love.” Nothing means nothing – including fears, worries, life, death, and even hell. He goes on to say in v.29 that if you are above the sky or below the deepest part of the ocean – even there you will not be separated from God’s love.

Uncertainty is the world’s word for today’s situation. Certainty is God’s word for today’s situation. Certainty can erase uncertainty when we put all of our trust in God through His Son, Jesus Christ. I’m certain that He is able – He has a purpose for life – Nothing can ever separate us from His love.

Are you certain?