Uncertain Times

We live in a world filled with uncertainty.

It seems as if every time we turn on the news there’s another disaster. It can be scary and daunting. Our hearts break for the victims and their families, and we become keenly aware that evil exists in the world. It can make us want to build bubbles around ourselves and our families, and before long we find that we are living in a state of paranoia.

But God never called us to live a life of fear or to bury our heads in the sand. He said that we are to take refuge in Him and be glad even in the midst of uncertainty.

King David prayed to the Lord in Psalm 5:11 (NIV),

But let all who take refuge in You be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love Your name may rejoice in You.

David knew a thing or two about uncertain times. But he also knew to put his trust in a mighty God, the only One who could provide the protection he desperately needed. David also knew that joy is a choice and those who love the name of the Lord have a reason to rejoice. David’s point in saying this was not to discount the heaviness of the situation he was facing, and we shouldn’t either. Yet we do get to make the choice of how we are going to operate in our everyday lives.

We can’t control the weather or gunmen who take the lives of the innocent, but we can pray. The question is, are we going to choose fear over faith? Or are we going to choose JOY and ask for protection from the One who can provide it? Even through the tears we can sing for joy, placing our faith in a mighty God.

Jesus, come and wrap Your arms around the brokenhearted. We don’t understand such senseless tragedy, but we don’t give in to fear either. We take refuge in You and ask that You spread Your protection over us and our families. We rejoice in You alone.

This is an excerpt from Made to Shine by April Rodgers – a devotional book released by DaySpring publishing. Learn more about this book, or shop other books & devotionals from DaySpring.