‘We know for certain’

Some things in life are a certainty – night follows day; sickness comes to us all; the tide goes out then comes in; however, on the other hand there are things in life that we are not certain about! 

No one can deny that we are living in a time of great uncertainty, although it is encouraging to see life getting back to some sort of ‘new normality’, albeit in small steps.

I’m reminded of the words of Jesus in Luke 21:26, while he was teaching His disciples about things that would happen in the future – ‘people will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world’…. Or as the one translation puts it, ‘people’s hearts are failing them from fear at the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth’…..  

I think it’s fair to say that we would all like to be more certain about the future and in that respect, I’m reminded of Job. For the Christian, Job brings great encouragement in the difficult and uncertain days that we are in. In the midst of all his distress and difficulty we find him expressing 6 things of which he was absolutely certain; 6 things that enabled him to go on with confidence. I pray that these may be an encouragement to you too.

1. Job knew that he would ultimately be vindicated – Job 13:18. Even though Job’s 3 friends showed, at times, a heartless approach to Job’ situation, Job’s response was that he would trust in his God – the all wise and omnipotent one! God alone, was Job’s salvation and hope.
2. Job knew that his Redeemer lives – Job 19:25-27. Job knew that someone would pay the price to set him free from his trouble. Job knew his Redeemer personally and had total confidence in him. Even though death should come in the foreseeable future, Job had hope beyond it. Like Job, we who walk by faith with our Redeemer, will one day enter into His presence.
3. Job knew that God knew the way that Job had taken – Job 23:10. It can give us confidence when we know that someone is aware of the situation we are in. Job also knew that God had a personal purpose and a specific agenda for him. Job’s confidence in his sovereign and purposeful God gave him the strength to go on.
4. Job knew that God had His own timetable – Job 24:1. Whatever took place in his life, Job knew that the timing of everything was known to God. As a result, Job was confident that there was nothing haphazard in what was happening to him, and the same is true for us.
5. Job knew that one day he must die – Job 30:23. This was not a last flickering cry of despair but a shout of hope. For the Christian, we have a glorious eternal future!
6. Job knew that God could do anything – Job 42:2. Job’s final declaration of faith sums up his complete confidence in his God; and Job’s God is our God too!

In these ‘different and challenging times’, remember that, ‘Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us the assurance about things we cannot see’……     Hebrews 11:1.