Faith, In Times of Uncertainties

 Now faith is confidence in what we hope for 

and assurance about what we do not see. 

(Hebrews 11: 1-3)

Uncertainty is all around us. Compared to the earlier years of our lives, this year has begun with so many uncertainties. Most of my friends share the burden of having an empty annual calendar; everyone is tired of cancellations and postponement of events. In the middle of all these uncertainties, we do recognise, there are some schedules of our lives which are continuing according to plan. Today, our reflection would be about the other side; the side that is filled with uncertainties; the side that does not see any possibilities anytime sooner. 

How do we hold on to our faith when there is so much uncertainty around us? It is not easy; it's a struggle. I am going through this right now, and I suppose there may be many of us who are going through the same. How do we still hold on to our faith, even when things are not clear, even when we do not see any possibilities in the near future, even when our human idea of possibilities says a big "no" and even when nature's order says a huge "sorry?" 

The Bible says, "Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see (Hebrews 11: 1-3). Hold on. Let's break it down. Faith is the confidence in what we hope for. Faith is the assurance about what we do not see. Now that makes us understand, first of all, the two important definitions of faith. 

Have the confidence in what you hope for.

This may come as a surprise to realise; it surprised me too. In this time of uncertainties, as believers in the abundant power, love and care of the Lord our God, we must learn to have the confidence in what we hope for. Surely there is hope in us, but we may lack the confidence in the Lord. It is when we begin to have this confidence, faith begins to work in our lives. It is when we begin to build this confidence we begin to experience what real faith is. In the midst of all the things that we hope for, we must learn to have confidence in the Lord. We must trust God and be confident that He will do what we hope for in our lives. This makes us understand that it is easy to hope, but it takes confidence to make our hopes an action of faith. In times of uncertainties in our lives, let us remember, we need to be confident in what we hope for.

Have the assurance about what you cannot see. 

This is not easy, but these were surely the examples we have seen. The great faith giants in the Bible were examples of this assurance. Noah could not see any signs of rain, but he was assured about what the Lord had commanded him to do. Abraham could not see a nation of generation after him, but he was ready to sacrifice Isaac when he was asked. David could not see Goliath falling, but he went forward and used his catapult. This trend of faith was continued by every single person of great faith. This is actually the story of faith; otherwise, there is nothing extraordinary about it. Even in moments of uncertainties, these faith-giants were able to demonstrate to us how to go forward in faith even when we cannot see anything in front of us. We need to have the assurance in Christ Jesus our Lord and in His marvellous and miraculous power that will make things work for us. 

Well, we have been reminded of two words about faith - confidence and assurance! In times of uncertainties, we must learn to be confident about what Christ Jesus has done for us and we must know at the bottom of our heart that He will do the same. At the same time, even when we do not see any natural, human or even technological possibilities of things happening in our lives, we need to carry the assurance in the Lord. Today, we may be surrounded by so many uncertainties in our personal and family lives, professional and social lives, ministerial and spiritual lives, but let us put our faith into action. Let our faith not just be a passive part of our life that just hopes and waits or is paused for things to become visible, but be put into action where our faith is filled with the confidence of what is hoped for and the assurance of what cannot be seen. 

I pray that the power and blessings of God our Father, the love and grace of Christ Jesus the Son, and the fellowship and presence of the Holy Spirit, be with us and guide us as we move further in faith in these times of uncertainties and see the wonderful rewards God has for those who are confident and assured in Him.

May God bless you.

Yours in Christ,

"Faithful One, so unchanging..."