Uncertain Times

 Faith or אֱמוּנָה in the Hebrew language.

“Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see” – Hebrews 11:1

This verse in and of itself is powerful and so very true, but it becomes even more powerful if we continue into the chapter. After this verse we’re taken through the lives of several of Gods people. We see that “By faith” Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Sarah Isaac, Jacob, Joseph and Moses believed Gods promises. 

They all had something in common. They had assurance; assurance in what they could not see. Assurance that no matter what went on in their lives God had made them the promise to take care of them. Each of them had different circumstances in their lives, but they each also had a spirit of faith. A confidence in what they hoped for and an assurance, even though they could not see the outcome. All of them were imperfect people but God saw fit to work in and through each one. God does the same through our imperfections as well.

 These people also realized something very important. In Hebrews 11:13 It says “They agreed that they were foreigners and nomads here on earth.” They knew they had a heavenly homeland. Life tested each one in different ways. Many lived through great difficulty and suffering. Each had times of doubt and times of despair. Each experienced uncertainty in their lives but each of them persevered because they realized it was not in their own strength they could move through the adversity. They knew it was in Gods strength that they would survive and prosper to one day live in their heavenly homeland. 

Hebrews 10:23-24 tells us “Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise. Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works.”

How do we get through difficult times? By lifting each other up, not pushing each other down. By encouraging each other, instead of arguing with each other. By being kind instead of hurtful, loving instead of hateful. How do we push through difficult circumstances around us that we can not control? We serve each other in acts of love and good works. Maybe that’s phoning a lonely friend, sending someone flowers or a card, dropping off food at your local food pantry. We may need to be a bit more creative these days, but there are still so many ways to love and serve.

Hebrews 10:36 goes on to say “Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that he has promised.”

So, in all the uncertainty of our time, in all the doubt, fear, anticipation and turbulence remember these words in Hebrews. It is in loving and serving that we find that confidence in what we hope for. It is in caring for those around us, that assurance fills our hearts. When we show other people Jesus through our actions, we  re-affirm our own confidence in Christ and our commitment to trust….even when we can’t see.

-Pastor Patti