What Are Life’s True Certainties? (Part 3)

Monday and Wednesday, we started looking at some important certainties that we need to think about in the face of the current economic uncertainties being faced around the world. With people losing jobs, and churches struggling to help them, we have seen that we can be certain that life is troubled, we are not alone, we can have resources beyond ourselves, my pain can grow my faith, and my pain can help others. Let’s add to those certainties today with a couple more as we close these thoughts for the week.

THIS IS NOT THE END
When we face a serious life crisis, like losing a job, it can seem like the end of the world. That life can never be good again. That there is nothing left to live for.

Be assured, however, that this is not the end. We read again in Romans:

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. (Rom.8:18)

Whatever dark experiences we face in this life, one day they will be overwhelmed by the perfect and complete reality of eternity of the presence of the Christ who loves me and gave Himself for me.

GOD’S LOVE IS REAL
When we are in seasons of trial and hurt, it is easy to question whether God loves us at all. The experience of loss, however, is not capable of disrupting His love for us. Paul wrote to the Roman believers:

For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:38-39)

Separation from a job is a crushing, heartbreaking thing. It is not, however, what matters most. Nothing in all the universe can separate us from the love of God—and that does matter the most.

HOPE IN THE DARK
Where is hope born? Where does a person get hope? I believe that there is hope in a lot of the things that we find in everyday life. The Bible says that we will never find real and lasting hope in the things of this uncertain world. But:

in Christ, we can have hope
in the Scriptures, we can have hope
in the grace of God, we can have hope, and
in the provision of God, we can have hope.

As Paul wrote to the believers at Rome:

Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Rom.15:13)

This is a good opportunity to help each other as we serve Christ’s church. How have you found hope in these challenging times? How have you been able to offer hope to others?