FACING THE FUTURE WITH CERTAINTY

We live in uncertain and terrible days. 2 Tim. 3:1, "This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come." But many have faced uncertainty in the past: Abraham, who went to war against kings and armies to save his nephew Lot; Joseph, who was sold into slavery by his own brothers; Esther, who put her life on the line to save her people from extinction; the three Hebrew young men, who refused to compromise their faith in Babylon; are all examples of believers living through uncertain times.

Let me suggest four factors which will strengthen our resolve to live faithfully through uncertainty:

1. ACCOUNT THAT GOD IS ABLE. Heb. 11:19, "Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from which also he received him in a figure." Is God really God? Is His Word really His Word? Will He keep it? If our answer is a resounding "Yes" to these questions, then we must remember that God has promised to provide, protect, and prosper His people if they will follow Him.

2. SEEK THE COUNSEL OF GOD. James 1:5, "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him." God counsel on any matter is always right, available and immutable.

3. PURPOSE IN YOUR HEART. Prov. 23:6-7, "Eat thou not the bread of him that hath an evil eye, neither desire thou his dainty meats; For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee."  Daniel 1:8, "But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself." A purpose set heart with do two things: a) it will sacrifice anything for the blessing of God, and b) it will set a high Godly standard for life and not settle for less.

4. REMAIN STEDFAST.  1 Cor. 15:58, "Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord." Psa. 78:6-8, "That the generation to come might know them, even the children which should be born; who should arise and declare them to their children: that they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments: And might not be as their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation; a generation that set not their heart aright, and whose spirit was not stedfast with God."  Remember, a double minded man is unstable in all his ways.

During days of uncertainty, the best action is to stay with God and trust Him to bring you through.