A question commonly asked of Christian’s is, “how can you be sure?” This question takes many forms like:
- How can you be sure that Jesus died and saved you?
- How can you be sure of the Lord’s existence?
- How can you possibly be sure?
The answer, and truth, I grab ahold of when asked these questions is the verse Hebrews 11:1, “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance in what we do not see.” The two words to take notice in this verse are faith and hope. These are key components to following the Lord. Without these I too would not be sure, however, God has gifted us with faith and hope. Because we are mere mortals and not God, we will never be able to come to a full comprehension of God. We are not able to see the past or future. We are simple confined to the time in which we are living, the time that is passing us minute by minute. I cannot say with confidence what lies in front us in the future, but I can say that I know without a shadow of a doubt God’s hand will be evident in it. How can I be sure? That’s where hope and faith come in. I have faith/confidence in who God is and what He can do, and I can have faith/confidence in the evidence of God and what He has done. I can look at God’s work in both the present and the past in order to look forward with hope.
Because of what God has done I know what He can do. Where is this evidence of God’s work? It is in the Bible, the complete and mighty book given to us which records, remembers and reminisces about numerous ways God has shown up, on amazing acts of God’s sovereignty, and bold acts of faith. Remembrance is significant in faith. Not only remembrance of the evidence of God passed down through the ages, but also remembrance of the evidence of God in our own lives. I have no doubt if you took time to sit and remember critical events in your life, you will see the things God has done. This evidence can assure you of who God is and what He can and will do.
As I look back on my time on the World Race, I am filled with the certainty of these very things. As just one example – God’s hand is clearly evident in His protection throughout the trip. The number of times my team and I found ourselves in potentially sketchy or questionable situations, yet fully at peace knowing we were protected by the Lord, is mind-blowing. One night my team and I were in just such a circumstance in Nepal. We were walking around the town where we were staying and several kids approached us. They were asking for food, so we agreed and they led us to a local restaurant. The moment we entered we could tell us random girls from America were not supposed to be there. The place was down a dark alley and full of grown men drinking and smoking. However, God was watching over us. We were at peace because we knew the power of the God we serve. And God showed up! Not only were we protected, the night ended up being so sweet. We bought the kids a meal then sat and laughed with them. We made sure they felt the love of the Lord through us.
God showed up many times on my World Race experience. He has shown up throughout my life. He has shown up throughout history. It is because of this evidence that I can walk in confidence in what I hope for and assurance in what I do not see.
Leave a Reply