“The Joy Of Certainty”

Jarrod M. Jacobs

 

Recently, while listening to the radio, I heard an ad that made me laugh. It was an ad for the “California Psychics” group. Their tagline is “The joy of certainty.” Since that time, every time I hear this radio spot, I laugh because if psychics actually had such powers, they could predict natural disasters with “certainty” and warn people well in advance. They could predict when the economy will once again turn and tell people when to start investing and make a profit. I have not looked into this, but I wonder what the divorce rate is for psychics. I wonder if they see it coming? If these people were truly psychic, why do they need to advertise? Don’t they know who is interested in their services already? Why not call those people and have a guaranteed profit? If they do not know, then how “psychic” are they?

 

Uncertainty In This World

                   Beyond this, their tagline, “the joy of certainty” rings hollow because nothing is truly “certain” on this earth. The apostle Paul told Timothy, “Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches…” (I Tim. 6:17). Solomon observed uncertainty “under the sun” when he said, “the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all. For man also knoweth not his time: as the fishes that are taken in an evil net, and as the birds that are caught in the snare; so are the sons of men snared in an evil time, when it falleth suddenly upon them” (Ecc. 9:11-12).

                   The apostle Paul expected that the Ephesians be “no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness” (Eph. 4:14). Was there not much uncertainty in them since they were admonished not to act childish? Timothy was told that in the “last days” (II Tim. 3:1), there would be those who were “ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth” (II Tim. 3:7)! Uncertainty abounds in this world!

                   Solomon wrote, “Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth” (Prov. 27:1). Yet more uncertainty! It is not hard then for us to read passages like James 4:14 (“ye know not what shall be on the morrow”) or read the parable of the rich fool in Luke 12 and again see the reality that life is uncertain and there is nothing we can do to change this. Listening to the words of a psychic, or anyone else, will not make uncertain things certain!

 

Certainty With God

                   However, if there is anyone who can provide certainty, it is God and not man! Go back to I Timothy 6:17. We did not finish the verse. After Paul told Timothy not to trust in “uncertain riches,” he is then told to trust “in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy.” Hebrews 6:13-20 speaks of things that are “immutable” (i.e., unchangeable) and our hope that we have “as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast.” Friends, there is a certainty with God not found in the world or with psychics! This contrast between the uncertainty of the world and the certainty found in God should reassure us and fill us with hope.

                   In contrast with the uncertainty of the world, Timothy was told, “the foundation of God standeth sure, (other versions use terms like, “firm.” “is unchanging,” “solid,” “never moves,” and “stands unshaken”) having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity” (II Tim. 2:19)!

                   God’s words are “true from beginning to end” (Ps. 119:160). His promises are settled, strong, and solid. We can trust in the words of God and can rest in the fact that whatever God has said will come to pass, just as has happened in the past.

 

Conclusion

                   The “joy of certainty” is not found in men, in so-called “psychics,” horoscopes, or any other man-made invention designed to separate a man from his money! Certainty, peace, rest, and the like are found with God and in Christ. Let us stop looking in the wrong place for the answers and turn to the One who has had the answers all along (Heb. 3:7-8)!