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Let us stop trying to know tomorrow but start to know our God who knows tomorrow.
We have been living in this pandemic for well over a year. The end seems somewhat close, but uncertainty and fear still loom over us. Our minds are constantly stuck on the downside, the new COVID variant, and the possibility that 2021 and 2022 will be no different from 2020.
In fact, even if this virus did not devour our lives, our sinful nature has plagued us to fear tomorrow, fear people, fear what we cannot control, fear life's enigma, and even fear what God has in store for us. In retrospect, COVID has become our biggest and best excuse to disobey this command:
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. [ Joshua 1:9 ]
As a matter of fact, God explicitly commands Joshua to be "strong" (חָזַק; hazaq) and "courageous" (אָמֵץ; ames) four times in this single chapter. But what was there to fear and doubt when God had promised Canaan or The Promised Land since Abraham's time (Genesis 12:7; 15:18-21)?
If we were to put ourselves in the shoes of Joshua, after the death of Moses, there were approximately two million men, women, and children to lead. However, these Israelites were continually rebellious against the Lord since the Exodus, and the Anakites who were giant, warlike people occupied the Promised Land. Although not explicitly revealed, Joshua could have only felt a sense of inadequacy, fear, and anxiety.
How would we feel if we were commanded to solely lead a population that is double of Quebec City into a town filled with thousands and thousands of Goliaths? Wouldn't our initial human instinct lead us to fear and be discouraged? We would be entrenched with the thought that this would be a clear negative-sum game. Oh, how we would groan, "Get me out of this."
God, however, says otherwise. To Joshua and the Israelites, He had promised from the beginning of time that they will enter the Land with absolute certainty (Joshua 1:3). As we know, His promises never fail as it is impossible for God to lie (Titus 1:2). God's promises breed hope, and this hope is an anchor for the soul, firm and secure (Hebrews 6:18-20). This can only imply that God's promise is the antonym of our fear, trepidation, and anxiety.
When we live solely on His promise, we are able to replace all fear, uncertainty, and discouragement with hope, strength, and courage.
But then comes the question:
How do we live solely on His promise?
1. Rely on His Timing
The first step to living solely on His promise is to rely on His timing. There is a direct tie between God's timing and promises: if we cannot rely on and trust that God will deliver in time, the purpose of a promise itself becomes obsolete. In other words, why hold onto His promise when we cannot even trust He will fulfill the promise?
In the Book of Ecclesiastes Chapter 3, the author goes on a poetic speech for the first eight verses explaining that there is a time for everything, and all seasons are directed by God.
He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end. [Eccles. 3:11]
God is an artist. He knows exactly when to piece together or break apart to make everything beautiful and perfect. We may doubt or not understand each stroke of the brush, but we must first acknowledge that we will not be able to fathom His work. To rely on His timing also means to submit to His omnipotence and authority (Matthew 6:8; Luke 12:30). When we can fully rely upon His timing and deliverance, then we can have full assurance that there will be an end for a beginning.
2. Seek Him First
Upon studying and meditating on Ecclesiastes 3 with a fellowship group, my friend went on to share this unforgettable statement mentioned above: we should stop trying to know tomorrow but start to know our God who knows tomorrow.
We live in an era that is obsessed with trying to know the future. Horoscopes, numerology, tarot, psychic readings, and you name it. As Christians, even if we do not consult these mediums, we have our own ways of trying to tell the future. For instance, we all are aficionados of idolatry and serving false gods. Our short-sightedness leads us to be inclined towards tangible, visible things, thinking these will give us security in the future. Ironically, when we put these things above Christ, insecurity and suffering always come chasing us (Psalm 16).
In Matthew 6:25-34, Jesus commands us to not worry, and although not explicitly revealed, our worries stem from us being unable to live on His promise. Jesus says in verse 32 that "the pagans" run after worries, but as newly made creatures in Christ, we are to rather seek first his kingdom and righteousness, then all will be given at the right time: seeking God must come as a logical first step if we want to know what His promises are. This is why in verse 34 Jesus says to not worry about tomorrow. Tomorrow or the future will not allow us to know His promise but knowing Him will.
3. Purify Ourselves - Repentance
Therefore, since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God. [2 Cor. 7:1]
As a final point, if we want to live solely on His promise, we must aim to live blameless lives. Our reverence and love for God should lead us to yearn for perfect holiness. But as our sanctification cannot be completed here on this Earth, we need to go back to God on a daily, per-minute, and per-second basis. If we were given the privilege of knowing Christ and living under these immense promises, then we are to live lives worthy of His name (Exodus 20:7; Ezekiel 39:7).
God's ultimate promise is the promise of everlasting life through salvation and His eternal Kingdom (John 14:3). In His second coming, we all will be reunited with Christ as we are his bride (Revelation 19:7-9). Henceforth, we are to get ready in the best way possible, being cleansed of all impurities and sin. Repentance will set us in the right trajectory, automatically aligning us to live on His word, commands, and promises.
Closing Words
There was substantial significance when Moses changed Joshua's name from Hoshea to Joshua (Numbers 13:16). The name Hoshea meant the "longing and desire for salvation," but the name Joshua (יְהוֹשׁוּעַ; Yehoshua) now stood for "the Lord is my salvation." The only reason Joshua could be strong and courageous was that the Lord provided a breakthrough, delivered at the right time, and fulfilled His promise. At the same time, Joshua put his full trust in the Almighty One, getting right with God at every step in his tumultuous journey.
Going back to us, let's not live in fear, uncertainty, and discouragement because of COVID or any other reason. As the Lord is our salvation, He will give us the strength and courage to lead and preach to millions upon billions and to take down an infinite number of Goliaths. Let's just take time to learn and discipline ourselves to live solely on His promise.
Canvas and Clay - Pat Barrett
"I know nothing has been wasted No failure or mistake You're an artist and a potter I'm the canvas and the clay
You make all things work together For my future and for my good You make all things work together For Your glory and for Your name For my good, for my good
When I doubt it, Lord, remind me I'm wonderfully made You're an artist and a potter I'm the canvas and the clay
Oh, You're not finished with me
You're not finished with me yet
You're not finished with me
You're not finished with me yet"
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