What can we be certain about?

  • Matt's Musings

Last week, in a press conference, one of the Welsh government ministers was asked why they could not give assurance to students that they can return home for Christmas. In responding, the minister said that the last six months had been a rollercoaster and we cannot predict now what December will look like.

The last six months have highlighted a truth that has always been there. None of us can make concrete plans for the future because we are not in control. To use the language of the Bible, “you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.” (James 4v14). How we need to grasp the fact that every breath we take is a gift from a kind God.

But it is not enough to realise our own frailty and dependence. We need to know the One on whom we can depend and who is totally reliable. There is a God in heaven who is working all things, even this pandemic according to his good plan. He has revealed himself to us through Jesus Christ, the God-man. We can be certain that his death upon the cross is sufficient to save sinners. We can be certain that everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. We can be certain that one day this Jesus will return. In doing so, he will bring an end to all uncertainty! What do you really know for certain?