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Unfailing, faithful, eternal, great, everlasting, sure, genuine, perfect, steadfast… These are all words used in the Bible to describe God’s love. When I sit and reflect on these words, I don’t think I would use them to describe my global life. Words that do come to mind are uncertain, changing, confusing, unreliable, frustrating, scary, and difficult. Global life can cause heartache and anxiety, but it doesn’t define us or our work. We can follow David’s example in Psalm 13 and trust in the sure and certain love of God.
David was fleeing enemies as he poured out his honest emotions to God in this psalm. He pleads with God to answer him, and then in verse 5, he uses one of my favorite words found in Scripture: “but.” In David’s moment of stress and down-heartedness, he says he trusts in God’s steadfast (unfailing) love. Where better to turn to in times of uncertainty and anguish than to the dependable love of God? Not only that, David says he rejoices in God’s salvation. He reflects on the times God saved him, preserving him to be Israel’s king.
In times of uncertainty, let’s share our downcast hearts with God and then insert our “but.” Like David, let us rely on what is certain, the steadfast love of God, remembering and rejoicing in the ways He has saved us, preserving us for the work He has called us to do. It is God who made David king, and it is God who completes His work in us (Philippians 1:6). Yes, the work is challenging, but we can rejoice as it develops in us endurance, strength of character, and confident hope (Romans 5:3-5). David remembered this and knew God’s steadfast love was trustworthy and dependable. He had seen God’s faithfulness time and time again in his life. Reflecting on this helped David rely on God in times of uncertainty, and it can help us, too.
When has life felt uncertain, causing you sorrow or anxiety? Were you able to rely on God’s steadfast love to sustain you? What encouraged you during that time?
After five years of living in Ireland, the regulations changed for the type of visa we obtained to live and minister here. Actually, we no longer fit into any category of visas, so our only option was to apply for citizenship, which took years to process. Each year, while we waited for our citizenship, we had to apply for special permission to remain in the country. Each year, we were uncertain of whether immigration would give us this special permission. I struggled to focus on our work, wondering if we would have to abandon it mid-service. I struggled with security for our young family and wondering what it would be like to have to pack everything up and head back to the States. My heart was anxious and sad. But God stepped in and calmed me as He gently reminded me that it is His work, and He will see it through (with or without me!). I had to ask the Holy Spirit to help me trust in God’s secure and steadfast love…God’s love for me and for Ireland. Finally, after four years of uncertainty, we received our Irish citizenship. God’s work continues, and His steadfast love continues to sustain us.