uncertainty Archives - Thoughts about God

It’s a See-What-Happens Life

admin — Sat, 22 Feb 2025 08:02:11 +0000

“As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, He saw two brothers. “Come follow me,” Jesus said. At once they left their nets and followed Him.” Matthew 4:18-19

Following Jesus doesn’t come with a master plan complete with intricate details. This is disturbing and distressing for those of us who like to know exactly where we’re going before we set out on the journey. We want a map with roads defined and detours clearly marked. No surprises, please. But Peter and Andrew obviously knew just enough about the character of the one who called them to leave their nets, their secure profession, their comfortable family life and embark on a see-what-happens life. Toward the end of his life, another of those early fishermen who chose to walk with Jesus wrote that he and the band of faithful followers – ‘heard, saw with our eyes, looked at, and our hands touched’ this Jesus, and by such following, their joy was complete.

Although we don’t have the physical Jesus in our presence, we actually have so much more. As we read about His life in the Bible we can begin to more fully understand the character of the one calling us. And once we choose to ‘leave our nets and follow Him’ His very presence comes to dwell within us. Then the see-what-happens life takes on excitement, challenge and deep joy.

by Marilyn Ehle
used by permission

FURTHER READING

Life’s Uncertainty Teaches God Can be Trusted

God will open doors of support and close doors that will take you in the wrong direction.

The Detours of LIfe

The post It’s a See-What-Happens Life can be found at Thoughts about God.

The Future

admin — Tue, 04 Feb 2025 08:03:47 +0000

Jesus is our future. He has called us to follow Him with a heart of faith and a life of obedience. In good times, in troubled times, or in uncertain times, all our times are in His hands. Our future is as bright as the promises of God; as hopeful as the faithfulness of God; as secure as the character of God; as abounding as the grace of God; as abundant as the love of God. He wants us to occupy until He comes.

“Now all glory to God, who is able, through His mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Glory to Him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen.” Ephesians 3:20- 21 (NLT)

by Roy Lessin
used by permission

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The post The Future can be found at Thoughts about God.

Comfort in Times of Uncertainty

admin — Thu, 27 Jan 2022 09:03:24 +0000

Lord, you are such a faithful Shepherd. Thank you for leading me in “paths of righteousness,” especially when life seems uncertain.

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff they comfort me.”
Psalm 23: 4 (NIV)

I drove home through thick fog tonight. There have been fog patches around our home and in the area these past two weeks. I hardly ever drive through thick mist without thinking about my relationship with God. It becomes such a tangible representation of our faith journey through life and how dependent we are on our Guide to lead us every step of the way. How easily I could get caught up in Fear, forgetting what a faithful Shepherd we have. He is a loving God who never changes. He guides us through the foggy times and dances with us when the sun shines. Our Lord is, after all, the Light of the world and He is never far away.

Reflect: Where do you find comfort in times of uncertainty?

Prayer:
Lord, you are such a faithful Shepherd. Thank you for leading me in “paths of righteousness,” especially when life seems uncertain.

by Idelette McVicker
Used by Permission

I Can’t Stand it Any More

Devotionals — Fri, 26 Mar 2021 08:01:07 +0000

“But I am afflicted and in pain; let your salvation, O God, set me on high! I will praise the name of God with a song; I will magnify him with thanksgiving.” Psalm 69:29-30

When was the last time you felt flooded by your situation?

Overwhelmed about anything today? David, the writer of Psalm 69, was in that sort of place.

He starts with a 911 call:

“Save me, O God! For the waters have come up to my neck. I sink in deep mire, where there is no foothold; I have come into deep waters, and the flood sweeps over me. I am weary with my crying out; my throat is parched. My eyes grow dim with waiting for my God” (Psalm 69:1-3).

He feels hated, unjustly accused, attacked with lies. He is exhausted by what seems like unending mental and emotional distress.

With the situation as desperate as it is, it comes as a surprise to us to hear David then say,

“I will praise the name of God with a song; I will magnify him with thanksgiving.”

I think part of worshipping the Lord, bowing down, and kneeling before Him is developing a long-range understanding of our circumstances. That is difficult. Our immediate, pressing, urgent conditions can rush in on us like an overwhelming wave.

Unfortunately, the force of that water can also slam us in the direction of uncertainty, negativity, and unbelief. However, we see that the Psalm writers’ practice was to wait through difficult seasons. If we can find our way toward God in worship when the water has come right up to our chin, then we are beginning to do what David practiced. We are finding a way to trust and wait on the Lord.

Pray the words of Psalm 69:3 today:

“But as for me, my prayer is to Thee, O Lord, at an acceptable time; O God, in the greatness of Thy loving kindness, answer me with Thy saving truth.” Amen.

By Sue Braid
Used by permission

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