Even a casual evaluation of the world scene today can lead to utter pessimism. But the Christian has no right to be a pessimist. He knows God and his Son. He knows, as a child of God, that nothing can happen that is outside God’s will for his life.
Between the black despair of those who see a world rushing to certain judgment and the sublime confidence of some Christians, there is a great area of outlook shared by true but uninstructed Christians and others whose faith and aspirations rise no higher than man and his ability to cope with life.
Perhaps there has never been a time when so many have lacked assurance as now. Some respond by plodding through life like dumb animals. Others frantically attempt to solve problems at the human level—through committees, plans, organizations, buzzing activity. Still others give way to despair, which may lead to depression and even serious breakdown.
Why the different reactions? Why are some optimistic and others pessimistic? Can both attitudes be justified?
Perhaps the key is found in the object of confidence. If one’s confidence is only in the potential and attainments of man, in nations and their power, in organizations and their human wisdom, then one has every reason to be a thoroughgoing pessimist. If, on the other hand, his confidence is in God—his love, goodness, power, and sovereignty—then he should be an incurable optimist.
Misplaced trust can bring disaster, but trust in God is never misplaced. It brings peace in the midst of turmoil, hope when things are at their darkest, and certainty that he never makes a mistake, that “in everything God works for good with those who love him, who are called according to his purpose” (Rom. 8:28, RSV).
Perhaps the basic cause of mental, moral, and spiritual breakdowns is uncertainty, an uncertainty that runs all through the social, economic, political, and religious thinking of many. Longing for a firm anchor and failing to find it, they feel hopelessly adrift on the sea of life.
In a time when so many are unsure of themselves, this world, and the future, the Christian has a golden opportunity to bring hope and joy to others through his confidence on Jesus Christ, the crucified and risen Son of God, who is Saviour and Lord of all who will invite him into their hearts.
There is no other foundation but Christ, no hope, peace, or certainty apart from him and his work for and in us. The words of restful assurance found in Henry F. Lyte’s hymn still speak to our souls today:
Change and decay
In all around I see;
O Thou who changest not,
Abide with me.
When people have no firm foundation, they are easily shaken. Pressed by the adverse circumstances of life they will crumble like a house built upon the sand.
Three times in Psalms 42 and 43 we find the observation of a discouraged yet confident believer: “Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my help and my God.”
Has God changed? Is he not worthy of our complete confidence? Can we not look above and beyond the immediate discouragements and with the eye of faith see One who never changes and who is altogether faithful?
Why is lack of certainty so prevalent today? Why do so many drift to and fro in the tides of doubt?
The primary reason is that men do not know God or his Word. They have never experienced the saving and keeping power of Jesus Christ. And, sad to say, many through their contact with the Church have had their faith impaired and their doubts deepened.
Recently, a letter came to this magazine from a man who had just read the revealing and alarming results of a questionnaire submitted to delegates and others attending the National Council of Churches’ triennial assembly, held last December. He wrote: “As an international airline captain for twenty-five years, I wonder what kind of accident statistics we would have, and how good business would be, if 66 per cent of the captains would say on the PA system, “Relax and enjoy the flight, ladies and gentlemen, we’ll probably make it. Two-thirds of your crew believe we will get there safely.”
He was referring to the depressing fact that to this NCC questionnaire 33 per cent of the delegates replied that they had doubts about the existence of God, 36 per cent had doubts about the deity of Christ, 31 per cent doubted whether there is life beyond the grave, and 62 per cent doubted that miracles happened as recorded.
A basic reason for much uncertainty today is that in too many pulpits the trumpet gives an uncertain sound. The words of Jeremiah 2:11–13 are again being fulfilled: “Has a nation changed its gods, even though they are no gods? But my people have changed their glory for that which does not profit. Be appalled, O heavens, at this, be shocked, be utterly desolate, says the LORD, for my people have committed two evils: they have forsaken me, the fountain of living waters, and hewed out cisterns for themselves, broken cisterns, that can hold no water.”
This is not an attack on the highest of all callings, that of a minister of the Gospel. It is an honest confrontation with those ministers who no longer have, or never have had, a Gospel to preach and who offer the hungry, not the Bread of Life, but the ashes of doubt.
Translate the perfidy of these false apostles into the secular realm and they would soon be denounced for the charlatans they are. Put them in the pilot’s seat of a modern jet with similar doubts and uncertainties about flight plans and operational techniques, and disaster would follow. Translate the floundering opinions of some who now hold places of leadership within the Church into the practice of medicine and surgery, and death, not life, would be the lot of those patients so unfortunate as to come under their care.
God offers assurance, faith, and hope in the person of his Son and in the revelation of his truth as found in the Holy Scriptures. Here one finds the cure for pessimism in the certainty of God’s loving faithfulness. In this and this alone there is serenity and peace—now and for all eternity.
