Are You Sure?
There is much truth in that-life is so uncertain. We can be in a car accident in a moment and be maimed or killed. Our spouse may go off the deep end and leave. Our children may break our hearts.
There is so much in life that is uncertain. ‘‘Your life shall hang in doubt before you; you shall fear day and night, and have no assurance of life” (Deut. 28:66). In this lesson, we want to examine some things that are uncertain.
Men’s Promises are Uncertain
“Do not put your trust in princes, Nor in a son of man, in whom there is no help” (Ps. 146:3).
Confidence in men will often lead to heartache. “Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble Is like a bad tooth and a foot out of joint” (Prov. 25:19). “All the men in your confederacy Shall force you to the border; The men at peace with you Shall deceive you and prevail against you Those who eat your bread shall lay a trap for you. No one is aware of it” (Obad. 7).
We know how fickle people can be. The politician promises us to reform education, but he never does. Your husband promises you that he’ll get your sink fixed, but he never does. Your wife promises you that she’ll not spend too much on her new outfit, but she does.
Because men’s promises are uncertain, we need to be careful about placing too much confidence in a man.
God’s promises are sure; we can place our confidence there. “There has not failed one word of all His good promise, which He promised through His servant Moses” (1 Ki. 8:56). “Has His mercy ceased forever? Has His promise failed forevermore?” (Ps. 77:8).
What God promises, he’ll do. He promised Abraham a son, and he gave him one. He promised to send a Messiah, and he did. Are you placing your confidence in the sure promises of God?
Riches are Uncertain
The Scriptures teach that riches are uncertain. “Will you set your eyes on that which is not? For riches certainly make themselves wings; They fly away like an eagle toward heaven” (Prov. 23:5). “Riches are not forever. Nor does a crown endure to all generations” (Prov. 27:24). “We brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out” (1 Tim. 6:7).
Riches are so uncertain. We work for years to build a dream house with all the extras and fire destroys everything. We invest our life savings in the stock market, and it goes south. We climb the corporate ladder just to have the company move overseas.
Because riches are so uncertain, we don’t need to place our confidence in them. Matthew 6:19-21. “What profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and is himself destroyed or lost?” (Lk. 9:25). Are you placing too much confidence in riches?
The Future is Uncertain
Our future on this earth is very uncertain. “Do not boast about tomorrow, For you do not know what a day may bring forth” (Prov. 27:1). James 4:13-15.
A look around us shows us just how uncertain the future is. Teenagers who have their whole lives in front of them die in accidents daily. President John F. Kennedy was planning his reelection bid when he was gunned down in Dallas. These people never planned to die that early, but they did.
Because our future is so uncertain, we must be prepared spiritually. “Behold, now is the accepted time, behold, now is the day of salvation” (2 Cor. 6:2). Are you ready?
Beauty is Uncertain
The Bible teaches that beauty is uncertain. “Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, But a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised” (Prov. 31:30). “Woe to the crown of pride, to the drunkards of Ephraim, Whose glorious beauty is a fading flower Which is at the head of the verdant valleys, To those who are overcome with wine!” (Is. 28:1).
Beauty is uncertain. The beauty of youth often fades with age. An accident can disfigure one and destroy the beauty that had been there.
If we place too much confidence in our beauty, we might see horrible consequences. “As a ring of gold in a swine’s snout, So is a lovely woman who lacks discretion” (Prov. 1122). Anne Lenclos said, “That which is striking and beautiful is not always good; but that which is good is always beautiful.”
Too many people place far too much confidence in beauty. They spend money on cosmetic surgery that could be better spent elsewhere. They look down upon and laugh and people they consider “ugly.”
Are you placing too much confidence in beauty?
Friendship is Uncertain
Friends can be very untrustworthy. Because the situation with the Israelites had become so treacherous, Micah said, “Do not trust in a friend; Do not put your confidence in a companion” (Mic 7:5). Jesus’ friends deserted him.
- “All the disciples forsook Him and fled” (Mt. 26:56).
- “Indeed the hour is coming, yes, has now come, that you will be scattered, each to his own, and will leave Me alone. And yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me” (Jn. 16-32).
Friends may forsake us when we need them the most. Jesus’ disciples forsook him when he needed them the most. Our friends may desert us when we need them the most. Our spouse may have seriously disappointed us, and our friends treat us as if we have the plague because they don’t know what to say. We may have just learned that we have a life-threatening illness, and our friends are too busy just to stop by and visit.
Although our friends may be untrustworthy. God never is. God will help us when our friends forsake us. “Can a woman forget her nursing child. And not have compassion on the son of her womb? Surely they may forget. Yet I will not forget you” (Is 49:15). “He Himself has said, I will never leave you nor forsake you’” (Heb. 13:6).
God will strengthen and help us when life becomes unbearable. When our spouse seriously disappoints us, we can remember the promises of God that he never will. When we learn that we have a life-threatening illness, we can rest assured that God will save our soul.
Conclusion
So much in this life is uncertain-we have no way of knowing what tomorrow holds.
But, we know that God is certain and that his love for us is certain “Many things about tomorrow, I don’t seem to understand; But I know who holds tomorrow, and 1 know who holds my hand.”
Our salvation is certain if we are abiding in Christ. Is your salvation certain? Are you abiding in Christ?
This sermon was originally preached by Dr. Justin Imel, Sr., at the Alum Creek church of Christ in Alum Creek, West Virginia.