Certain Uncertainty

Twenty-five years ago, the year 2000 was about to happen. There were a lot of predictions about many things crashing and burning as the new millennium began. There was a lot of uncertainty and, although I thought it wise to take precautions, I reminded us of Ecclesiastes 10:14:

“A fool also is full of words, a man cannot tell what shall be; and what shall be after him, who can tell him?”

Obviously, we survived! But every year is new and filled with uncertainties. In fact, every day is uncertain – so, here’s what I wrote to survive the new millennium because it applies to this year and every day!

Nothing New. “That which has been is what will be, that which is done is what will be done, and there is nothing new under the sun…” (Ec 1:9-10). Every generation thinks their problems are the worst ever. We face the future with optimism. Satan wants us to think we are alone, but we’re not.. “Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world” (1 Pe 5:9).

Unseen & Unshakable. “Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal” (2 Cor. 4:16-18). We know that the physical world is temporal and the unseen spiritual things are eternal (He 12:28). We have something to hold on to in this shaky world.

Faith, Hope, Love. In 1 Corinthians 13:13 we are reminded that faith, hope, and love “abide” – they won’t fail or stop, they will continue when other things quit. They aren’t just for good times or bad times. They transcend time and whatever is going on in life. We don’t abandon our commitment to God when things are going great or going terrible. Faith, hope, and love keep us committed and faithful.

Certainty in Uncertain Times. It’s true that we don’t know what will happen this year, or even tomorrow. But our treasure is not earthly and isn’t touched by tragedy because our hope and future are heavenly (Mt 6:19-21). This is where our peace of mind and optimism comes from. And Jesus makes all this possible!

“..be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled..”
2 Thessalonians 2:2

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