Pastor’s Corner: “Ultimate Certain”
James 5:8 (PHILLIPS) – Be patient, resting your hearts on the ultimate certainty.
We’re living in strange and uncertain times. We don’t know what’s happening in the world. We get conflicting information from every source. We don’t know how long this coronavirus is going to continue spreading. We’re not sure how to make wise decisions without all the information we need. Is there anything that we can hold on to? Is there anything that gives us meaning in our lives?
When so many things are uncertain, we can remain certain of this one truth: God is in control. James 5:7-9 (GW) – Brothers and sisters, be patient until the Lord comes again. See how farmers wait for their precious crops to grow. They wait patiently for fall and spring rains. You, too, must be patient. Don’t give up hope. The Lord will soon be here. Brothers and sisters, stop complaining about each other, or you will be condemned. Realize that the judge is standing at the door. Why does James remind us several times in this passage that the Lord is coming back? Because it’s the ultimate proof that God is in control.
History is God’s story. It’s not circular. There is no circle of life. History is linear, and it’s moving to a climax. God has a plan. God has a purpose. And one day Jesus is going to return. There is only one certainty in the world and that is Jesus Christ. There is no one else who is certain. If we put our hope in princes or elections or whatever, we will be betrayed. It’s because people are human.
Everything is on schedule. We don’t know when he’s coming back, but the Bible talks more about Jesus’ second coming than it does about his first coming. That means it should change how we live our lives every day. We should be living with great expectation!
Although the situation may seem out of control and what you’re going through may be painful, nothing is beyond God’s control. Be patient. God’s timing is perfect. He’s never late. He is in control. The J.B. Phillips translation of James 5:8 says, Be patient, resting your hearts on the ultimate certainty.”
Jesus does not want us to be governed by fear during these times. He wants us governed by faith. The reason is that the uncertainty is only apparent uncertainty. Our future and our provision and our ultimate triumph are certain to God. He has all the foreknowledge, power, resources, and desire to turn everything for good for those who love him and are called by him (Romans 8:28).
What’s the ultimate certainty? Jesus is going to come back one day. Nothing’s going to stop that.
Knowing that history is under God’s control and that Jesus has promised to return should give us all the confidence we need in uncertain times. When you feel like you can’t count on anything else, count on this: God’s got this. And Jesus will come back one day soon to make all things right and new.
In His Grace,
Pastor Hamilton