Throughout history there have been events that have caused Earth's population to feel uncertain about their future. There have been events that were deemed catastrophic and therefore affected the way we live. One of the first examples of this was The Flood from the Old Testament. When Noah and his family emerged from the ark, I can imagine them feeling quite uncertain about their future, knowing that they were the only survivors. More recently, however, in 1910, Astronomers spotted Halley’s Comet set on a course headed a little too close to Earth for their liking. They feared the tail of the comet would enter the Earth’s atmosphere and, in the words of French astronomer Camille Flammarion “cyanogen gas would impregnate the atmosphere and possibly snuff out all life on the planet”! This of course, caused worldwide panic and uncertainty as the Earth awaited a doom that never came.

As we approached the new Millennium, “Y2K” saw many anxious people with feelings of uncertainty because they feared that at midnight on New Year’s Day, computer systems were going to shut down and important data all over the world would be lost. And then on the morning of September 11, 2001, the people of the United States began their day in disbelief and horror as we watched the twin towers fall. Uncertainty plagued the nation as we wondered where terrorism would strike next and how we could ever recover from this tragedy. 2012 brought new uncertainty to the world as many experienced fear and anxiety over the possibility of the world ending in December of the same year. Some had said that the Mayan Calendar ended in 2012, predicting the end of time as we knew it. And, most recently, the Covid-19 pandemic changed our way of life once again. Uncertainty invaded every single home in our world as we began to see country after country become infected with this virus, and this uncertainty remains with us still.

As we await the day when everything returns to “normal”, we have a Savior who has been watching over us from the beginning of time, reminding us to rely on Him. Our God is never far from our reach. Like a child who seeks their father’s hand when they feel uncertain of their surroundings, God says to us: I will take your hand, I will help you! You see, our world will continue to go through uncertain moments and chaotic events will continue to plague our lives until the Lord returns. But in every circumstance, God promises to be there, next to us, helping us, and holding our hand, giving us that comfort that only our Heavenly Father can provide. I encourage you today, as we face this time of uncertainty, that you reach out for the Lord’s strong and loving hand and allow him to guide you through the dark time and into the light where He can fill you with a peace that goes beyond our understanding.

Suggested Prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father, I am so glad to have you by my side in times of uncertainty. When I feel lost or afraid to venture out alone, you are there taking my hand and leading me to safety. Thank you for your love and protection in a world that can sometimes be loveless and uncertain. Help me to trust in you and the plans you have in store. In Jesus’ name, amen.

1. Isaiah 41:13 (NIV).