How to find the assurance we need for life in these uncertain times

By Dean Collins

I imagine all of us want some assurance about something in our current moment. We would like assurance that those in leadership at the local, state, and national levels understand we need help. Help with reducing violence, especially gun violence, and help with gas prices. And although those may be the first topics that come to mind, it wouldn’t be hard for any of us to list many other situations close to home and around the world where we’d like to know that things can and will get better.

Some of the last words of Jesus come to mind: “In this world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” He said that before he died, and before he was raised from death. His resurrection should give us confidence that while we do not like the fact that trials, trouble, and tribulation are sure to come, we can and we must take heart that Jesus is our victor.

Our problems, their problems

The first-century followers of Jesus struggled to find assurances too. They certainly had felt the impact of continued rule by Rome and opposition from various audiences, including Jewish leaders who were not convinced that Jesus was the Messiah. And then (also like today), false teachers, power struggles between religious leaders, and good old-fashioned sin stirred up the church and the local community.

As Paul opened his letter to the Philippians he told them he couldn’t stop himself from expressing gratitude for their faith and that he prayed for them constantly. And he offered some assurance: ”I am sure . . . that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.”

Was Paul doing what you and I sometimes do? People who are caring often offer encouragement and give assurance to those they see struggling. How many times when trying to support a friend whose spouse or child is ill have you said, “Things are going to be okay”? Or to the friend whose adult child is struggling, “I’m sure things are going to work out in the end.” We speak such words because we’ve lived long enough to know that most things eventually work themselves out. And hopefully, we have confidence that God is involved not just in the redemption of all things, but specifically in the redemption of individuals.

Paul’s confidence, God’s grace

Paul actually lets us see why he has such confidence in what will happen to those in Philippi. He was confident because it was God who began the good work. We may start and fail many times. But the things God initiates God finishes. So Paul could say with authority: He who began a good work will bring it to completion.

When we continue to read beyond this beautiful promise we understand even more. Paul explained that he was right to have this compassion for his brothers and sisters in Philippi because they were like he was, a partaker of the grace of God. 

God’s grace is the beginning and the end of our stories. We live and breathe by God’s grace. Our transformation from death to life is by God’s grace. Our eternal home is secured by God’s grace. And it is logical then to trust that it isn’t by our strength, our intelligence, or our past accomplishments that our next steps resolve well. It is God’s grace that finishes what God’s grace began. This is our great confidence.

And as partakers of this wonderful grace of Jesus, we must then share it with others. One way we share God’s grace is by our prayers for each other. Paul ended his thoughts in these few verses with this prayer: “that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ to the glory of God.”

Our needs, God’s solution

If you are looking for assurance, you can find it in God’s grace. If you want to offer assurance to someone, pray for them and offer them comfort that comes from the grace that has been extended to you.

He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ!
Amen.

Your time with God’s Word
‭‭Philippians‬ ‭1:3-11‬ ‭ESV

Photo by Jacqueline Munguía at unsplash.com

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