In a world of uncertainty, we are all in need of something certain—something we can grab hold of. This world is chaotic, and things can change in a heartbeat. In the midst of such turmoil, we all search for security; we look for someone or something that will provide peace and certainty.
For many, that "someone" was a parent. As a child, a parent's arms were our safe place. When we cried, a loving parent rushed to hold us, soothe us, and let us know: "I am here; do not be afraid. You are safe." In childhood, we held onto our parents, and they provided a sanctuary and cared for our every need.
For many of us, the last time we truly experienced a "safe place" was in childhood. As we started school, we began to realize we were no longer the center of everyone’s world. Other children made fun of us; parents had less time for us and eventually began to ignore our tears. Consequently, many of us began to drift into darkness, loneliness, rejection, and anxiety. We started to think, "Unless I grab hold of something sure—unless I find a safe place in life—I will sink into despair and be a nobody."
It is at that time we begin searching for ways to "make a name" for ourselves. We ask: How can I become important again, like I was as a baby to my parents? What can I hold onto so I don’t drift into the abyss?
Different suggestions come our way:
Good Grades: "They will make your parents and teachers love you."
Popularity: "It will make your peers accept you."
Gangs: "You will finally be part of a brotherhood."
Pleasure: "It will numb your anxieties."
Romantic Partners: "They will love you for exactly who you are."
Money: "It will buy you security and status."
We put all our energy into grabbing these things, only to find they are like broken cords. We hold onto a romantic partner, only to find we are not their priority. We reach for fame, only to find it is fleeting. We achieve good grades, only to realize our parents are still unsatisfied. We hoard money, only to find we are constantly afraid of losing it. Everything we grasp for security proves futile, leaving us in a state of constant stress and fear.
There is only one truly safe place in this world, and only one way to find perfect peace: grabbing hold of the Lord Jehovah. The Lord is never too busy to pay attention to your cry. If you are His child, you are the apple of His eye. For the Lord, you are the center of His world; Jesus would have given His life to save just you. Your wellbeing and your salvation are His priorities. He will make you "famous" throughout the universe, for He calls you His own. You can join His "brotherhood," and His angels will encamp around you.
The Lord Jesus is a strong tower into which the righteous run and are safe. He is the heavenly currency that never fails. He is the Rock of Ages upon which you can lay the foundation of your life. He is the ultimate partner who loves you with an everlasting love—the only One who knows the good, the bad, and the ugly about you, yet will never leave nor forsake you.
In a world of chaos, Jesus is the only stability. In a world of uncertainty, He is the only certainty. Lay hold of Him by faith, and you will find hope and security.
Friends, let us do everything in our power to wrestle with God in prayer. Let us study His Word daily and share our anxieties, sorrows, and fears with Him. Let us hold onto Him and say, like Jacob, "I will not let You go unless You bless me." Grab hold of the Lord for all your needs, and He will keep you in perfect peace.
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