There’s a promise from God that when a believer dies their soul goes immediately to heaven as their body awaits the resurrection. There’s a promise from God that says if he provides for the flowers of the field and the birds of the air, he most definitely will provide for you, his child. There’s a promise from God that no matter how crazy this world gets, his plan is in place and he is in perfect control.
If God’s Word is true and trustworthy, those promises mean our lives should be free from despair, worry, or panic, right?
But I get it…
The body we see in the casket can seem much more real than Jesus’ promise of a resurrection and reunion, so we despair. The number at the bottom of the bank statement seems far more real than Jesus promise to always provide, so we worry. The chaos we see on the news seems far more real than Jesus promise of perfect control, so we panic.
The problem is not with God’s promise, the problem is with God’s people. Too many times we sinfully trust our perception over his promise.
Do you know why you can trust what God says even over your perception? Because God kept the biggest promise anyone could ever make. Long before you were ever born, he promised to take your place and inject into himself all your sin (including your sins of despair, worry, and panic). 2000 years ago he kept that promise. It killed him but he kept it. And now he lives to assure you that whatever he says is absolutely certain no matter what your eyes see or your heart feels.
With the Lord’s help, stop trusting your perception and live by his promises. They are far more certain, and they supply far more peace. Go ahead, close your eyes, and just listen to what he says …
“I will see you in heaven,” he says, “don’t despair.”
“I will supply all you need,” he says, “don’t worry.”
“I’m in control,” he says, “don’t panic.”
“I forgive you,” he says, “be at peace.”
Those are words to live by. Maybe we should just keep our eyes closed.
Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. 2 This is what the ancients were commended for. – Hebrews 11:1
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