Oswald Chamber on the Uncertainty of Faith

" It has not yet been revealed what we shall be"
 —1 John 3:2


Our natural inclination is to be so precise—trying
always to forecast accurately what will happen next
—that we look upon uncertainty as a bad thing.
We think that we must reach some predetermined
goal, but that is not the nature of the spiritual life.
The nature of the spiritual life is that we are
certain in our uncertainty. Consequently, we
do not put down roots.

Our common sense says, “Well, what if I were
in that circumstance?” We cannot presume to
see ourselves in any circumstance in which we
have never been in.

Certainty is the mark of the commonsense life
—gracious uncertainty is the mark of the spiritual
life. To be certain of God means that we are
uncertain in all our ways, not knowing what
tomorrow may bring. This is generally expressed
with a sigh of sadness, but it should be an
expression of breathless expectation.

We are uncertain of the next step, but we are
certain of God. As soon as we abandon
ourselves to God and do the task He has placed
closest to us, He begins to fill our lives with
surprises. When we become simply a promoter
or a defender of a particular belief, something
within us dies. That is not believing God—it is
only believing our belief about Him.

Jesus said, “. . . unless you . . . become as little
children . . .” (Matthew 18:3 ). The spiritual life
 is the life of a child.

We are not uncertain of God, just uncertain of what
He is going to do next. If our certainty is only in our
 beliefs, we develop a sense of self-righteousness,
become overly critical, and are limited by the view
that our beliefs are complete and settled. But when
we have the right relationship with God, life is full of
spontaneous, joyful uncertainty and expectancy.

Jesus said, “. . . believe also in Me” (John 14:1 ), not,
“Believe certain things about Me”.

Leave everything to Him and it will be gloriously and
graciously uncertain how He will come in—but you can
be certain that He will come. Remain faithful to Him.


From My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers