UNCERTAINTY
Psalm 18 is my mother's favorite chapter in the Bible. Several years back she made a book for me with Scriptures she claimed specifically for me. I recommend you do that for your children. That book is a treasure to me. One of the verses she claimed is Psalm 18:2, “The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler and the horn of my salvation and my high tower." In this verse, I've been meditating on the fact that “The LORD is my rock."
I’ve found that the times I struggle the most are when I feel uncertainty.
Let me give some examples. I was in a business I loved for over 30 years. It closed its doors at the end of 2020. For several years I had no idea what I would do to bring in income for the rest of my life. I would have spurts of direction, followed by periods of doubt. I would think I might have clarity and then suddenly I wouldn’t know anything. One day I would think I was capable of doing something great and then I would think I was just fooling myself. I felt like I was walking on jello.
I also struggle when I can’t figure out who to believe. There are good people who fall on polar opposite sides of almost every argument. I don't like confusion. I like certainty. There are many things where both sides are equally adamant. It's everywhere. When I collect opinions It’s hard to get a consensus on any topic. I could go into dozens of illustrations but many might create doubts you don't already have. Wouldn’t it be nice to know someone who is right 100% of the time and totally dependable,? I would love to have someone who could give me turn-by-turn directions in every area of my life. This is the problem. First of all, there isn’t such a person. But if there were I would place my trust in them and they would become an idol to me. Even thinking that someone might come close to knowing all the answers only sets me up for certain disappointment and disillusionment.
The fact is that God doesn't want me to rely on anyone or anything but Him. As Psalm 18:2 says, "He is my rock." He is the only ground that is solid beneath my feet. His truth is the only truth that is completely trustworthy.
I have found that the times I seek security in human relationships or money in my bank account that God intentionally walls me in on every side. He intentionally pulls the rug out from under my feet. He intentionally takes away anything I try to hold on to for stability in order to force me to hold solely on to Him. When I can't find anything to grasp hold of that is when He reaches down His hand to me. He says, "I am your rock." I am the One who will be dependable in your life. "I am your fortress." I am the One who will protect you from harm. You don't need to run away from Me. You need to run into Me. "I am your deliverer." I am the One who will deliver you from slavery to your addictions and fears. "I am your God." I am far better than any human relationship. "I am your strength." I don't just encourage you to find your strength. I am your strength. You can trust Me. I don't have a hidden agenda. I am the way, the truth, and the life. You don't need to get other opinions. "I am your buckler." Buckler means shield. Troubles will come and Satan will throw his fiery darts. But I will shield you from them. You can lie down in safety right in the midst of an attack. "I am the horn of your salvation." My shield will protect you from attack, but my horn will go on the offense for you. I will show myself strong on your behalf. I will fight for you. "I am your high tower." I can see what is coming. I can see from a higher perspective. I am looking out for you in the present, but I am also looking out for you in the future. I know what that future is.
There may be times when there is uncertainty in every area of my life, but there is no uncertainty with my God! What a mighty God I serve. He alone is my rock.
