Joshua, Esther, Moses, Gideon, Jeremiah, Peter, and Paul, along with many others, including Jesus Himself, faced times of uncertainty when fear, worry, or great concern plagued their hearts. They longed for answers, needed a sign of hope, and prayed for peace.
The Bible is scattered with countless stories that share the same underlying theme: they all wanted peace. However, during times of uncertainty, the weight of the world caused many to cave under pressure and bend to the lies that they were alone and defeated. We read that Joshua lost courage, and Moses fought his own insecurities. Esther feared for her life, Abraham and Jeremiah didn’t fully trust or understand God’s plan, while Peter doubted and denied Jesus.
Are their stories any different than ours?
Friend, if you are feeling heavy-hearted, you are not the only one. I can assure you of that. It’s been a lot lately. Between wars overseas to the current heartbreaking news of natural disasters right in our own beloved nation, not to mention a tense and rather heated election looming, the sense of overwhelm and anxiousness is bubbling just below the surface for us all. The weight is heavy, and it’s been a lot to take in the past couple of years, right?
However, just as the people we read about in God’s Word struggled with fear, anxiety, and a sense of overwhelm, we also see where God met them with a gentle and affirming hand, leading them out of deserts, giving them courage to meet with kings, granting them wisdom in times of need, and continuing proving Himself as God. These characters have become Biblical heroes that we read about time and time again and share with our children. We see their humanness but note God’s goodness, faithfulness, and almighty power. Their stories also mimic our own, as God declares He can do the same for us!
So, with that, today I invite you to grab Your Bible. Let’s put your wondering mind at ease and bring your heart some much-needed comfort as we seek peace during these tumultuous times of uncertainty. Go back and read the stories of Joshua or Moses, Peter or Paul, but also take a moment to reflect on your own story and how God is moving in your life. Then lean into some Scriptures that you can cling to when the uncertainty of this world becomes far too great, and you need truth to ward off all the attacking lies.
As you read the verses below, ponder them, tuck them in your heart, whisper them throughout your day, and, as needed, declare them out loud so the enemy knows who he is dealing with! You are a faithful believer in a God who defends you, protects you, and can (and will) conquer your fears with insurmountable peace.
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Scriptures to Trust God
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight." - Proverbs 3:5-6
"The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.” - Zephaniah 3:17
Trusting God is counting on His trustworthy nature and character. His reliability, His strength, His truths, and promises, along with His utter delight in you as His precious child. That’s right, God delights in you! We serve an omnipresent and omniscient God Who goes before us, walks beside us, and picks up the broken pieces that trail behind us. God knows our current struggles, but He also knows our past hurts and future hang-ups, and He still has a plan and purpose for every single detail of our lives. He sees it all, and He loves us so much. So, trust Him with all your worries by laying them at His feet. Then let Him cover You in peace as He rejoices over you.
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Scriptures to Find Courage
"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” - Joshua 1:9
"Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me." - Psalm 23:4
Psalm 23 gives us a glimpse into David as a lowly shepherd boy. But, here, we see his incredible trust in the Lord, especially even when faced with grave danger and potential death. We can hold the same assurance when we encounter times that may easily bend us to fear. God commands us to be strong and courageous, knowing that when we lean on Him, we find strength to fight our everyday battles.
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Scriptures to Gain Clarity
"If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you." - James 1:5
"Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, 'This is the way; walk in it.'” - Isaiah 30:21
There are many mixed messages infiltrating the world, via news outlets, social media, and sadly, even in places of worship. That said, it can be easy to get lost and confused, as we decipher the truth from all the lies. Let the verses above encourage and challenge you to depend and rely solely on the Lord to seek wisdom and gain clarity, knowing He expels the truth and grants us peace through His Word and as we meet Him in prayer.
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Scriptures to Stand Firm in Your Faith
"Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see." - Hebrews 11:1
“‘'If you can’?' said Jesus. 'Everything is possible for one who believes.'” - Mark 9:23
How do you know you have faith? It’s a question I believe we all wrestle with at some point, yet it’s a valid question we must address, especially in times of uncertainty. After all, we need a solid bedrock to stand on when our world feels a little shaky. The truth of the matter is that our faith boils down to two words: surrender and submission. Do you fully trust God and surrender your life to Him while submitting to His governing authority, or are you living on your own accord? If your faith feels shaky today, invite God into the cracks of your heart and have Him revive your faith and weary soul.
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Scriptures to Persevere
"Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance." - James 1:2-3
"So do not throw away your confidence, it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised." - Hebrews 10:35-36
We are living in perilous and strange times, and unfortunately, Christians, even in America, are being persecuted for their faith. I’d be remiss if I didn’t say I have growing concerns about how this might affect me or my family. Yet, as believers, we are called to live differently and boldly in our faith. James 1:2-3 and Hebrews 10:35-36 go as far as to tell us to consider it pure joy and be confident when we face trials or come under heat because of our faith. As we navigate these uncertain times, we must recognize that our faith will possibly be tested, especially since Jesus tells us in Matthew 10:22 that we will be mocked, ridiculed, and even hated for His name’s sake. Not everyone will understand or know our God, but may we show His love through our actions and “fruit” (Galatians 5:22-23) by continuing to preserve, especially in tough times. When we do, we will receive the everlasting peace promised to us and maybe even bring others to experience the same.
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A Prayer for Uncertain Times
Faithful Father,
Thank you for being our source of peace in a world consumed with uncertainties. Please help us place our trust in You and grant us the strength and courage to stand firm in our convictions while doing the right thing according to Your Word and will. Grant us the means to stand firm on the bedrock of our faith and place our feet on steady ground, anchoring ourselves to You when we feel misled or fall into the trap of despair and succumb to the lies. God, help us preserve, even under great trials, and equip us to stand up for the truth while being avid pacemakers, sharing Your love and peace with others. We may feel the tension and the heaviness that this world brings, but we are so thankful that You give us precious examples in Your Word of those, just like us, who searched for peace in their days, too. Let us learn from their stories and grow our confidence as believers and as Your faithful and loving children. We ask all this in Your holy name.
Amen
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Originally published Thursday, 03 October 2024.