While visiting with a close friend, he shared with me concerning the uncertainty of his employment. Due to severe financial problems, the company for which he worked had announced massive lay-offs.  Those who were not laid-off could face having to move to other cities.

My friend was quite worried, as anyone might be in such circumstances. He felt that because of his age he might not be desirable to other companies where ne might seek employment. A change in career was out of the question because of his lack of skills. He confessed, “I feel as though my world is caving in around me!”

The psalmist David expressed confidence in God during the times of uncertainty in his own life. He prayed, “Preserve me, O God: for in Thee do I put my trust.” (Psalm 16:1)

Trust is confidence, pure and strong. Yet, it is born out of simple childlike faith. Whenever we come up against problems such as unemployment, and its resulting trauma, there is no one who can support and strengthen us like our heavenly Father. He knows our every need before we even share them with Him. Therefore, it only stands to reason that He also has a solution for the problem at hand.

In the face of trials, we can do one of two things. We can worry, fret and fall apart; or, we can wait patiently before God.

The psalmist David continued in verses 8-9: “I have set the Lord always before me: because He is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. Therefore, my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices: my flesh shall also rest in hope.”

In the spiritual warfare we fight every day, Satan tries to convince us that God no longer cares for us. He wants us to believe that God will fail to meet our needs.

When we believe Satan’s lies, we begin to look around us for worldly solutions, and truth in the strength of our flesh; but, when like David, we fix our eyes upon God and focus in on His love, power and might; our trust is placed in Him.

David declared that while his eyes were fixed upon God, his heart was glad. God gave him a sense of peace and security that none other could give. The world had not given this peace to him; therefore, the world could not take it away.

David also declared that his “flesh would rest in hope.” He had placed his physical being into the very hands of God.

It mattered not what God would do to him, or where God would lead him, for David knew that God had only good thought toward him. Knowing this is also true for us, should we not place our trust in God? With certainty, even in the midst of uncertainties, God will preserve us.

– Pastor Jerry L. Dunn, Oak Street Baptist Church