Uncertainty and Trust

The world seeks scientific certainty and mathematical safety in terms of percentages, outcomes, and average lifespans. But God has humbled the proud who think they can live just fine without Him—and is continuing to do so.
Those who trusted in human solutions to a what man has labeled “a pandemic” have been thrown back into uncertainty with every new wave, report, and variant of the new virus, showing us how little we actually understand. Scientists and doctors are not all-knowing gods. The most basic assumptions and assumed effectiveness of vaccinations change day-to-day. Some websites are still giving live updates on the newest viral info—even at this late stage. That kind of news cannot bring hope or certainty.
While a vaccine, if effective in some capacity to minimize illness, can certainty be a gift, those who trust in them to have god-like power to erase death will be disappointed. They are not divine sacraments, but human inventions. Like all medicine, it can be used for good or ill, but death, due to sin, cannot be put off. Even the definition of fully vaccination is changing now—depending on the calendar and country and medical authority you consult. Nothing is “fully” in this world. Those boasting in being fully vaccinated as a badge of honor—are guaranteed nothing, since they trusted in man’s deeds. Taking a thousand doses of a vaccine will not give life forever—it might actually take it away. Only by faith in the love of God shown in His Son’s sacrifice do we have a certain place to stand in a world of uncertainty.
There is no safety or certainty outside of Christ who died for all sinners. In His resurrection we have true hope—but not in the news or how the latest stats are looking, since they are always subject to error and revision. We are so worried about cases and numbers, we forget that one death is way too many to be joyful about, especially if it is in our family. People should not be comforted by death when it comes another way–and it will. Death is the enemy. People are not statistics, nor can percentages ever bring true comfort, because they are not describing any one real, single person–one created by God.
God’s grace in Jesus is certain and trustworthy. All else is sinking sand. Our God is a person—Christ—the Lord of all things, terrible viruses and diseases included. He promises us eternal life, so that bodily death is not to be feared, because it is temporary. That is to be our certainty, which cannot be removed by any bad news or reports.
We have a divine hope, something that cannot be taken away, no matter how uncertain life on this earth seems. The Maker of the earth has promised a much better world for us—centered on Him. This is most certainly true. “The saying is trustworthy, for: If we have died with him, we will also live with him; if we endure, we will also reign with him; if we deny him, he also will deny us; if we are faithless, he remains faithful—for he cannot deny himself” (2 Tim. 2:11-13). —ed.