Have you read today’s newsfeed? The world has changed since you last scrolled through the news—division in government. Stocks are up and down—medical updates. Sports teams win and lose. Players get traded. A coach resigns, and another gets fired. Evil leaders attempt to expand their kingdoms by taking over another area. The world revolves around a twenty-four-hour cycle of change. What will happen next? No one is certain.

On the personal side, we ask, “What will happen if?” “Oh, my goodness, what will happen if ________________!?” I will let you fill in the blank. Whatever you use to fill that space can continually take your emotions on a rollercoaster ride. We wait for the acceptance letter. We lose sleep over rumored layoffs. We wait for the result of another test. Uncertainty around us produces fears within us.

When fears rise up, the psalmist tells us to bow down and take time to calibrate our hearts.

Psalm 33:1-5
Shout for joy in the Lord, O you righteous! Praise befits the upright. Give thanks to the Lord with the lyre; make melody to him with the harp of ten strings! Sing to him a new song; play skillfully on the strings, with loud shouts. For the word of the Lord is upright, and all his work is done in faithfulness. He loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of the steadfast love of the Lord.

When uncertainty creeps in, we must go to the only sure place. We turn from the things that bring anxiety and declare praise to the One who gives us peace. Yesterday’s praise was amazing, but it won’t work for today. We need to “sing…a new song . . . with loud shouts.” When our world starts to shake, we go to the One who is firm. His Word is “upright.” His work is “done in faithfulness.” God’s righteousness is unswerving. His justice is unfaltering. His love for us is unwavering.  All he does is the opposite of uncertainty. Our focus on God turns fear into faith and confidence.

Father,
I admit that I am shaken by the things that happen around me and in me. I admit that uncertainty causes fear. I admit that I focus on my fear instead of you. Please change my focus and change my heart. Help me praise you for who you are. Help me to sing a new song of praise every day. Help me live in confidence and peace. In Jesus’ name. Amen.