What was a time of uncertainty that you’ve faced in your life?  What range of emotions did you experience? Perhaps it was a new school or job. I took my grand girls to a big slide at a water park. They were initially filled with apprehension, but after they went down the slide they loved it. We may often experience the fear of the unknown. That’s how the Israelites felt as they were ready to enter the promised land. How did God help them face the uncertainty of the future?

Moses was the only leader this generation had known. He jarred their confidence by telling them that He was not going with them and they would have a new leader. Moses encouraged his people that they could have confidence in times of uncertainty because of God’s faithfulness,

Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or tremble at them, for the LORD your God is the one who goes with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. (Deuteronomy 31:6)

What can we learn from this truth? Notice the positive encouragement (be strong and courageous) as well as the negative admonition (do not be afraid or tremble at them). When facing an uncertain situation we can often experience the fear of the unknown. Fear can be beneficial at times but we also see that fear has a number of adverse effects. From the Scriptures we see that fear can affect your,

Integrity – Abraham called his wife his sister to protect himself.
Behavior – Aaron feared the people so he made an idol.
Perspective – The Israelites were afraid of the people in the promised land and they doubted God’s promises.
Actions – The disciples were fearful in the boat at sea.
Relationships – The parents of the man born blind did not support their son because they feared the religious leaders.
Conscience – Peter denied Jesus and violated his own conscience.

How does fear adversely affect you? You can be strong in times of uncertainty because God is with you. Jesus has promised that He is always with us, even to the end of the age. You can have confidence because God is faithful. Joshua, Moses servant, could testify of God’s faithfulness,

Now behold, today I am going the way of all the earth, and you know in all your hearts and in all your souls that not one word of all the good words which the LORD your God spoke concerning you has failed; all have been fulfilled for you, not one of them has failed. (Joshua 23:14)

As you follow God, He will fulfill His promises in your life. The Apostle Paul testified to the church at Corinth,

For as many as are the promises of God, in Him they are yes; therefore also through Him is our Amen to the glory of God through us. (2 Corinthians 1:20)

You may be facing a time of uncertainty. Moses words in Deuteronomy are just as timely to you as it was when they first spoken. You can have confidence in times of uncertainty because God is faithful.

Associate Pastor – Discipleship.  The Church at LifePark

Professor of Discipleship, Columbia International University

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