Uncertain Times

Scriptures: Psalms 46:1-3, Romans 8:22-25

Certainty in Uncertainty

Benjamin Franklin famously said, “In this world, nothing is certain except death and taxes.” 

Now, as believers, of course, we can list numerous other things that hold certainty in our lives (God! Jesus! Scripture!), but Franklin’s humorous maxim is solid. 

Put another way: 

In this life, uncertainty is constant. 

And I think it’s safe to say that most men do not like uncertainty. 

Remember when COVID-19 hit? Whether your primary concern was the virus itself, or the economy/your finances, or fractured relationships, or the role of the government, or the negative power of social media, or whatever the case may be—those were uncertain times in many areas of life at once, and uncertainty is always stressful. 

Some of us are old enough to remember well the Great Recession of 2008-2009, when stock markets crashed, unemployment soared, housing prices collapsed, and the whole world was unsure of what came next. 

Or recall the days following the September 11 attacks, when the seemingly untouchable America was shockingly struck on her own soil, triggering two large-scale wars and a newfound fear of terrorism that overtook every aspect of life. 

The historical examples could go on, but other examples likely hit closer to home: 

Wars and possibilities of wars all around the world. 

Political turmoil at home and abroad. 

Economic upheaval and fear for the future. 

An increasingly un-Christian West with declining church engagement. 

That bad report from the doctor. 

The marital strife. 

A major concern about one of your kids. 

The unknown in all of these things—what will happen next?

Believe it or not, the point of this week of devotionals isn’t to stress you out. 

It’s to acknowledge that these worries are real and are part of living in a broken creation that awaits its full redemption by its Creator (Romans 8:22-25). 

These days, the level of uncertainty and anxiety for the Christian man is high, to say the least. If we chose, we could be stressed out 24/7. On any number of issues, there are matters which threaten our peace. 

But there is one certainty above them all: There is a God in Heaven, above all things, who gives us numerous comforting truths to help us navigate such times with His peace. This week, we will explore these biblical truths. 

Let’s be men who are not swayed by what we see but deeply rooted in this God and what He says. 

Prayer: Father, there are uncertainties in my life, and I find them stressful and sometimes overwhelming! Teach me to be a man who trusts You and walks in Your peace. Amen. 

Reflection: What are the biggest things that rob you of peace these days? Take some time to honestly and authentically bring them before the Lord today and ask for His help.

Scriptures: Isaiah 46:9-10, Job 38, Job 39, Job 40, Job 41

A God Beyond Surprise

I have very, very strict orders from my wife: 

If I ever throw her a surprise party, the marriage will be over. 

She is not, and never has been, a fan of surprises in general, and the idea of being caught off guard in front of all of her loved ones is simply a bridge too far. 

No doubt some feel differently and love the variety of life surprises can bring. 

Of course, context matters—life has good and bad surprises. 

No man on his wedding day anticipates divorce, and no man starts his first day of work assuming a layoff down the road. We don’t know what will happen politically, economically, or globally, and honestly, we can’t control much of any of it. 

But our passage today reminds us of a fundamental truth: 

We are not God, but there is a God in Heaven who knows everything.

There is nothing that catches Him off guard. That thing that is stressing you out right now? He already knew about it long before it happened. He knew about it then; He knows about it now; and He knows how it will end. 

And unfortunately, He doesn’t always give us the information we want. 

Job found that out in the middle of his trials. After chapters of biblical text where he raises his complaint to God over how unfair life is, God appears at the end and answers him (Job 38:1-41:34, paraphrased): 

“I am God, and you are not, and the Creator is not required to give an answer to His Creation.” 

And yet, within this lengthy response, God also reveals many other truths about Himself: 

He has been here since long before the beginning. 

He created everything from nothing. 

He is intimately aware of every detail of His Creation. 

He is entirely in control of all things. 

And even when life catches us off-guard, it does not change His nature, character, power, or goodness. 

He remains the same, constant and consistent, wholly incapable of being surprised. 

We get surprised by life’s uncertainties, but that is the condition of mere mortals. 

Almighty God is far above us and far above that, and there is great comfort there. 

No matter what we’re facing or how surprised we are, God is not. He is anxious about nothing and remains secure in His knowledge and His rule over us. 

Prayer: I thank You, Father, for being literally “above it all!” I trust that even when I don’t understand, You do. I may not get all the answers I want in this life; help me be a man at peace with that, and grant me the strength to press on. Amen. 

Reflection: What is one unwelcome surprise that hit you in the past year? What did it teach you about God? What did it teach you about yourself?

Scriptures: Proverbs 16:9, Matthew 26:36-44

Control Freaks

I take a walk most mornings, which leads me down a country road bordering a golf course. 

One of the funniest things I’ve ever seen was witnessing a foursome of older golfers walking down the fairway to their balls. 

Three of them were carrying their clubs, but one man had a new self-propelled motorized golf bag cart puttering along, which he controlled with a remote in his hand. 

The man was teasing his friends who didn’t have his new toy. 

“Sure is hot today! Must be heavy, carrying those bags! I’m just going for a nice relaxing walk here, and no no no NO NO NOOOOOOOO!!!!” 

His cart had glitched and taken off with a mind of its own, refusing the remote control’s orders—speeding up, swerving wildly, and ultimately shooting away and plunging straight into a water hazard. 

The other men fell to the ground laughing hysterically at the sight and at the humbled hubris, and I laughed from a distance. 

The poor guy thought he was fully in control, but he wasn’t. 

Of course, it becomes less funny and more poignant when I think of all the times in my own life when I thought I was in control, only to have circumstances get away from me, reminding me how powerless I really am over an awful lot. 

We make our plans, the proverb says, but God is the one who actually calls the shots. 

That’s a struggle for men, and even Jesus had a moment of wrestling over the matter. 

At Gethsemane, Jesus struggled with the weight of His imminent death. Turning to His Father, He asked if there was any way to avoid what was coming. And yet, He ultimately submitted Himself to His Father’s will and control (Matthew 26:36-44). 

From the moment a man is born, he struggles with control. From toddler tantrums to teenage rebellion, workplace challenges, and marital strife, men everywhere want to be in control. It gives us peace to think that we are on top of things. 

But life inevitably deals us cards that we are powerless over, and our sense of peace gets thrown for a loop. 

In such times, we remind ourselves that we are just men—not God. 

There is a God, and He is good and the only one actually in control. 

In uncertain times, we put our trust in His power and goodness. 

Prayer: Lord, thank You for reminding me how little control I actually have over so much. And thank You that even when I am not in control, You fully are. Help me to be a man who leans in and trusts You. Amen. 

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you really struggle to remain in control? What is one step you can take to release that control back to God?

Scriptures: Revelation 19:11-16, Matthew 6:25-34, Matthew 23:13-29, John 19:10-11

The Only Leader That Matters

You will have many political leaders in your lifetime. 

Some you will like, and some you will not. Some you may even love, and some you might hate. 

Some may be righteous and others unrighteous. Some may be kind to Christians and others not. Some may pursue the common good and others only for themselves. Some will have integrity and others will be corrupt. 

Read your Bible, and you will see that this is nothing new. 

And as we have seen this week, we have very little control over any of it. 

If we live in a democracy, we can vote, and if we are unhappy, we can protest and peacefully resist injustice when we see it. 

But beyond prayer, most of us don’t have much influence over who gets elected or what they do once they get there. 

Jesus lived in a time of truly corrupt leaders, and it didn’t bother Him in the slightest. 

He lived under the brutal Roman governor Pilate, who would condemn Him to death. He also lived under the nominal Jewish leader Herod, who was far from righteous. Also, the Jewish religious leaders were corrupt and far from God. 

Jesus had no problem calling out corruption when He saw it (e.g., Matthew 23:13-29). But beyond that, He didn’t pay the leaders over Him much attention. 

Why? 

He was too busy with His Father’s business (Luke 2:49). 

The Kingdom of Heaven required His full attention, and nothing was left over for earthly kingdoms and their leaders and problems. 

He was so focused on God’s Kingdom and fulfilling His will that it consumed His time and heart, with no room left for other things. 

And, of course, He knew who He was—highlighted in our key passage from Revelation today. 

Pilate and Herod and the religious leaders may have been “in charge” on earth, but they weren’t ultimately in charge at all. 

There was a King above all kings and a Lord above all lords, and He was the only one who actually mattered. 

Whatever you feel about your current political landscape and any anxiety that may accompany it, these leaders are only there because God has ordained them and set limits on them (John 19:10-11). 

Any earthly leader could be removed tomorrow, and God’s Kingdom wouldn’t be affected in the slightest. 

We don’t always understand these things, but we know the King of kings and trust Him. 

Prayer: Father, in accordance with Your Word, I pray blessing over my governing authorities (1 Timothy 2:1-2), which You are fully in control over. May they have the wisdom and integrity to lead well for the good of the people they have been appointed over. Where there are corrupt leaders, remove them; raise up righteous leaders who will uphold truth and justice. Amen. 

Reflection: Beyond this prayer, take time today to pray specifically, by name, for your local, regional, and national political leaders.

Scriptures: Romans 8:28-30, Job 19:25, Job 19:25, Isaiah 53:1-12, John 16:33

There is a Redeemer

Not everything in this life is good. 

It is the not-good things, of course, that cause us the most anxiety and uncertainty. 

We are never promised that everything will be good in this world. Jesus said, “In this world, you will have trouble” (John 16:33, emphasis added). Not even Jesus had a thoroughly “good” life, but rather one marked with rejection, suffering, and pain as He faithfully walked out God’s will (Isaiah 53:3). 

And yet, even though His life was marked with great struggle and difficulty, we know the end of the story, prophesied by Isaiah: 

“After He has suffered, He will see the light of life and be satisfied…Therefore I will give Him a portion among the great, and He will divide the spoils with the strong, because He poured out His life unto death, and was numbered with the transgressors” (Isaiah 53:11-12).

What Jesus endured at the Cross was horrific and unjust, but it was not the end of His story. 

Every moment of pain, every drop of suffering, every single bit of adversity was all swallowed up, restored and redeemed, and returned to Christ as reward for all eternity. 

Suffering and struggle are never the end of the story for the Christian man. 

Job was a man who knew this well. In the midst of his great struggles and uncertainties in his life, he proclaimed by faith, “I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end He will stand on the earth” (Job 19:25). 

Job knew that, in the end, one way or another, God was going to intervene, and this God’s very Name is Redeemer.

God is in the redemption business. That is what He does. It is His very nature and Name. He can’t not redeem things—it is simply who He is. 

Like Job and Jesus, we may get to see some of that redemption in this lifetime. For other things, we may need to wait until eternity. 

But there is no difficulty—none—that will not be undone by the power and grace of our great God. 

When men face times of uncertainty, we can be strengthened by knowing that, in the end, we cannot lose—our God is the God who makes all things right. 

Prayer: Lord, give me the strength to push on through uncertainty, even when I can’t see the end result. Help me be a man who trusts in Your redemption and holds on for it. Amen. 

Reflection: Although it’s natural to apply these devotionals to ourselves, think of another man you know who is in a tough season right now. Go and encourage him today, offering strength and support.

Scriptures: Romans 4:18-21, Genesis 17:3-7, Psalms 25:4-5

Hopeless Hope

You may remember the Chilean mining accident of 2010, where a terrible cave-in left 33 mineworkers trapped 700 meters underground. 

An international rescue effort went into high gear, and 69 days later, the last of the men were saved, generally healthy, and set for a full recovery. 

As the men shared their story, they made clear what had gotten them through the ordeal: 

Hope. 

Hope that they would see their loved ones again, hope that they would see sunlight again, hope that the brilliant minds trying to save them would find a way. They encouraged one another in low moments. They prayed. They kept their spirits up. 

They hoped. 

Hope is a gift of God, but it is also something we work at on our end. In today’s passage, we see the hope of Abraham’s story. 

God promised Abraham that he would be the father of many nations (Genesis 17:3-7), but at age 75, Abraham had exactly zero kids. 

The situation wouldn’t improve much over the next 25 years. As he hit 100, Abraham was still waiting for his promise in a thoroughly hopeless state. 

That’s why I love the beginning of today’s passage: 

“Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed…” (Romans 4:18, emphasis added). 

100-year-old couples don’t have babies. It’s physically impossible. Menopause has long since passed, and sperm counts have long since plummeted. 

It wasn’t just doubtful that Abraham and Sarah would conceive; it was ridiculous. 

It was hopeless. There was literally no hope that it could happen. 

But against all hope, Abraham in hope believed, “being fully persuaded that God had power to do what He had promised” (Romans 4:21, emphasis added). 

What did Abraham do when he had no hope? 

He hoped nonetheless. 

He drew upon all his faith, all his knowledge of God, and all of his experience with Him and found a way to cling to hope, even in the middle of hopelessness. 

And he received what he was waiting for (Genesis 21:1-7). 

Abraham’s example is one that men should follow. Our path is not the path of doubt and despair but of faith and hope—trusting that God is good and that God has more than enough power to sustain us, no matter what we face. 

In uncertain times, against all hope, there is still one very good reason to hope: 

The God of all hope rules from His throne, and so we put our hope in Him. 

Prayer: Lord, thank You for Abraham’s example and all you did for him. May I also be a man who always hopes and trusts You, and may You strengthen me while I wait on You. Amen. 

Reflection: What is your favorite Bible story of hope fulfilled? Go and read it today!

Scriptures: Psalms 29:10-11, Psalms 47:1-9, Matthew 14:22-33

Enthroned Over the Flood

Water is often used in the Bible (particularly the Old Testament) as a picture of chaos and turmoil. 

In the beginning, as God was creating everything from nothing, it is written that “the earth was formless and void, and darkness was over the surface of the deep” (Genesis 1:2). 

“The deep” oceans must have been legitimately terrifying for ancient Israel. The power of the waves and the darkness and sheer vastness of the waters were overwhelming. Stories like the Flood (Genesis 6:1-8:22) and Jonah (Jonah 1:1-3:10) would hit the point home: 

Deep waters are massive, powerful, out of control, and capable of destruction. 

Our uncertainties in life can feel like that—a vast and overwhelming power we face. 

Standing against this ancient worldview is today’s passage: 

“The Lord sits enthroned over the flood” (Psalm 29:10). 

However great and dark the waters we face, God’s throne stands over them. Jesus literally walked on top of them, unafraid (Matthew 14:22-33). 

He is not overwhelmed. 

And as we have also seen this week: 

• He is incapable of surprise. 
• He is fully in control. 
• He is the only leader that matters. 
• He is an excellent Redeemer. 
• He is the God of hope, even in our hopeless and uncertain moments. 

Uncertain times drive us to Him. They force us to seek the One who calls Himself “our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble” (Psalm 46:1). 

In uncertain times, there is peace available no matter our circumstances. It is promised. And it comes when we make seeking Him a priority (Philippians 4:6-7). 

When I so prioritize my life, I realize how big God is, how small I am, and how little my worry helps anything (Matthew 6:25-27). 

I am reminded that my family, country, job, finances, health, and very life are all held in the hands of One who loves me so much that He died for me (John 3:16). 

He is more than able to lead, protect, and provide, no matter what I face. 

Men should seek this good God, enthroning Him over every part of our lives. 

One throne matters, over the waters, and Jesus Christ sits upon it. 

In uncertain times, may we be men who bow only to Him and seek His will and ways, knowing that although not everything that happens in this life is good, nonetheless, God will be good to us every day of our lives. 

Prayer: Lord, thank You for Your strength, goodness, and power to sustain me. Thank You for teaching me through Your Word. In uncertain times, may I be a man who walks in step with You, and may I make You proud of how I conduct myself. Amen. 

Reflection: What has been your biggest “aha!” moment from this week of devotionals?