Living with Uncertainty

 

Benjamin Franklin may not have originated the phrase, but he is well known for observing, “In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.”

It’s ironic that living with uncertainty is one of the few certainties of life. Our current world certainly seems to be proving Benjamin Franklin right. With each passing day, life seems to be filled with more and more uncertainty. More questions than answers. And the words, “I don’t know,” occur with greater frequency in my conversations. One of the few things I am certain about these days is that living with uncertainty is here to stay!

As a new year stretches before us, I’m facing a lot of I don’t knows. I don’t know

. . . if our nation will be at war

. . . what my health will be like

. . . if the coronavirus will still cast a shadow over our nation

. . . whether I’ll have another book contract

. . . if I’ll even be alive by the end of the year!

 

God knows

 

I don’t know any of those things. But there’s at least one thing I absolutely do know: God knows. God knows because He is:

• Sovereign

Daniel 4:25 – “The Most High is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth.”

• Omniscient

1 John 3:20 – “God is greater than our hearts and He knows everything.”

• Sustaining Creator

Colossians 1:16-17 – “All things have been created through [Jesus] and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.”

 

And even when this world seems to be spinning out of control, I can rest in the assurance of God’s character. He is my:

• Deliverer

Psalm 68:20 – God is to us a God of deliverances.”

• Provider

Philippians 4:19 – “My God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”

• Peace

Isaiah 26:3 – “You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!”

 

I’m especially grateful that these are only a few of the names and attributes of God that bring certainty while living in uncertainty!

As we move through 2023, what name or attribute of God encourages you in your uncertain situation?