How to Trust God in Uncertain Times
Uncertainty. A word many of us are not comfortable with, and rightfully so. It is common human nature to want to be certain of things. To know what is happening. To walk with confidence. This desire only grows in the context of discomfort.
This is a season in my life where there is a lot of uncertainty. I am sure many people feel like this, specifically in the times we are living in. It could be related to family circumstances, unsettles starting a new school, or work. It may look like figuring out where God will guide you in the next few years or knowing what you will do after graduating. Or perhaps it is wondering about a significant other; there are things you want to happen. Or maybe you have come face to face with the frailty of life, and it is making you very insecure in a lot of things right now. Or perhaps, along with all of this, there is a hunger you cannot seem to fulfill. You know God has called you here, yet you are plagued by a sense of longing for something more. Regardless, the desire is there for stability.
When there is uncertainty, sometimes many things are affected within our lives, including trust and faith in the living God. And perhaps it has impacted your prayer life, or it gets harder to praise Him when questions seem to flood our mind.
Sometimes it makes those things harder to do or rather easier to forget to do.
This place does not feel good. If you are like me, I like to understand things or know that it is serving a purpose. It hurts. It does not feel safe. It’s hard.
But the truth is that in the backdrop of uncertainty and fragility, it brings to the forefront the one thing we can be certain of who our Heavenly Father is. And it radiates in a way that only exists with uncertainty as the backdrop. That is one truth we can be confident in.
When you are uncertain of everything else, remember who He is
The Bible makes it clear that remembrance is a large part of deepening our relationship with God. Throughout the Old Testament, the LORD called the Israelites to remember and reflect on who God is. This is echoed in Deuteronomy 5, in Moses’ proclamation of the laws of God. He is commanding the Israelites to observe the Sabbath (Det. 5:15). Why? God is a practical God, and there are purposes to His commands. He brings this instruction so that they would call into remembrance God’s mighty hand in bringing them out of slavery. We are called to remember….
We see the revelation of God’s character through His treatment of Israel. His chosen nation in which He would bring forth the Person of Jesus Christ is the ultimate redemption act.
This passage reveals the character of God. Isaiah is speaking in prophecy to people of God who were in captivity in Babylon and engrossed in Idolatry. The LORD is still bringing them comfort and reminding them of who they are.
It is often highlighted that God appears harsh in the Old Testament. However, these passages do indeed reveal the entire story. It is important to note that, due to disobedience, the Israelites were exiled to a foreign land. Within this context, they were engrossed in Idolatry, which included horrific acts (child sacrifice, temple prostitution) based on the notion of fear. Their gods were associated with weather, sun, war (providence, learning, astronomy, and science (knowledge).[1] Notice how they all have to do with a human attempt to obtain security apart from God? In what we do, we try desperately to obtain security outside of Christ.
Despite this, the LORD is still bringing them comfort and reminding them of their identity, and more importantly, who He was. God has revealed His steadfast love and faithful to His own:
1But now thus says the Lord,
he who created you, O Jacob,
he who formed you, O Israel:
“Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by name; you are mine.
2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you;
when you walk through fire you shall not be burned,
and the flame shall not consume you.
3 For I am the Lord your God,
the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.
I give Egypt as your ransom,
Cush and Seba in exchange for you.
4 Because you are precious in my eyes,
and honored, and I love you,
Isaiah 43:1-4
This is our God.
Despite their turning circumstances, the Israelite’s identity was rooted in God’s declaration of, simply, “His children.” He is the Creator and Sustainer of His people. The depth of His care and faithfulness is evident, despite their turning circumstances. So, what does that mean for us? Wasn’t this passage referencing a particular person in a specific context?
He is the same God; He has not changed (Psalm 55:9). God is love.
This love was demonstrated on the Cross, stating that those who confess their sins and accept Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Saviour are adopted and cared for by God. It was an ultimate declaration.
God has not forgotten about us. We have every reason to trust.
Your pain points back to a Healer.
Your loneliness points to the One who will never forsake you.
Your happiness points to the one who is the source of true joy.
Your weakness points back to the God of strength.
There is always hope.
Friend, I wish to encourage you to remind yourself of the God you serve, who He has revealed Himself to be through the Word. Whether that is reading Scripture, taking a walk, praying, or studying the Word of God while you sip on a cup of tea. Remind yourself. Call to memory how He has revealed Himself to you. Trust in His unfailing love that He does not change. And share that truth with others.
Blessings,
Abba Father,
I know that you are still who you say you are despite what I feel at this moment.
So, while I wander in a place of uncertainty, may your loving hand guide my every step. I am only human, so remind me of the miles we have gone. Remind who you are, that you are exactly who you claim to be. I believe. Help my unbelief. Sustain me by your loving hand, for my hope is in you.
Amen.
[1] Life Application Study Bible: NIV. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2019. 1153.