By Pastor Teddy Joseph
Stettler and Sedgewick Seventh-day Adventist Church
As we are all aware, Israel and Palestine have been fighting continuously over land that has been disputed for centuries.
Whether people think it’s a religious war that has been incorrectly prophesied to come true or a pre-planned political one surmised by conspiracy theorists, the fact of the matter is civilians are dying and much blood has been shed.
We need to be more empathic about that than to be more loyal to our supposed allied government. Due to this conflict, countries are becoming polarized in joining a side and it won’t be long until the whole world will be impacted.
Notwithstanding a potential third war world that might begin, the population in Canada is suffering here as well. The effects of inflation, where food and gas prices are increasing, rent is expensive, mortgage rates climbing, and homelessness becoming more rampant have caused people to suffer and make them wonder if they’ll survive in the future. When everything is going wrong around us, how do we move forward and find assurance in times of uncertainty?
In uncertain times, we are to remember God’s promises. When facing difficult or uncertain times, we need to open our Bibles and let the Holy Spirit remind us of what God has promised.
A prolific author stated, “Every promise in God’s Word is ours … When assailed by temptation, look not to circumstances or to the weakness of self, but to the power of the Word. All its strength is yours”.
In uncertain times, we are to remember God’s presence. If we are to face the future with confidence, we must remember that God is with us. In Genesis 28:15 God says very clearly, “I am with you!”
You may feel alone, but you are never alone! God is always with us. When we read Psalms 23 or Matthew 28, we are reminded that His presence in uncertain times has been a source of encouragement for all the saints.
In uncertain times, we are to remember God’s protection. Again in verse 15, He said, “I am with you and will watch over [keep] you.” In other words, He’s going to protect us in whatever journey we partake. This did not mean that nothing hurtful or bad would ever happen to us, but it did mean that God will protect us so that His plan, which is good, comes to fruition.
We do not need to fear the dangers we face in today’s world. War, terrorists, disease, crime, financial loss, natural disasters—God has promised to watch over us, and certainly that is enough.
In uncertain times, we are to remember God’s provision. The promise in verse 15 to “watch over you” had a dual meaning.
The Hebrew word for “watch” meant “to protect” and “to provide for or to take care of.” God has promised to provide for all the needs of His people. Jesus reminds us that the Father knows what we need, and just as He provides for the birds of the air, He will certainly provide for us.
An author states, “All who keep the commandments in truth and integrity reveal to the world that they are under the rule of God and are dependent upon Him for their temporal and spiritual victories. With God’s presence and favour, His people are safe, although they may suffer persecution for the truth’s sake. His goodness and the riches of His grace are their protection and salvation.”
These are the bases of our certainty in uncertain times: God’s promises, God’s presence, God’s protection, and God’s provision. Each of us will face uncertain times, but we can be encouraged because God is with us and for us.