Uncertainty is a state of doubt or lack of sureness about someone or something. In the context of the Bible, uncertainty often relates to human experiences of doubt, fear, and the unknown, contrasted with the certainty and assurance found in faith in God.

Biblical Instances of Uncertainty

1. Abraham's Journey: Abraham's life is a profound example of dealing with uncertainty. In Genesis 12:1, God commands Abraham to leave his country and go to a land He will show him. Abraham obeys without knowing his destination, demonstrating faith amidst uncertainty. Hebrews 11:8 reflects on this: "By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going."

2. Israelites in the Wilderness: The Israelites experienced uncertainty during their 40 years in the wilderness. Despite God's promises, they often doubted His provision and guidance. Numbers 14:2-4 captures their uncertainty and desire to return to Egypt: "All the Israelites grumbled against Moses and Aaron, and the whole congregation said to them, 'If only we had died in the land of Egypt! Or if only we had died in this wilderness!'"

3. Job's Suffering: The Book of Job addresses the theme of uncertainty through Job's intense suffering and questioning of God's purposes. Job 3:25-26 expresses his turmoil: "For the thing I feared has overtaken me, and what I dreaded has befallen me. I am not at ease or quiet; I have no rest, for trouble has come."

4. The Disciples' Fear: The disciples of Jesus often faced uncertainty, especially regarding Jesus' death and resurrection. In John 14:1 , Jesus comforts them: "Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in Me."

Theological Insights

1. Faith as a Response to Uncertainty: The Bible consistently presents faith as the antidote to uncertainty. Hebrews 11:1 defines faith as "the assurance of what we hope for and the certainty of what we do not see." Faith involves trusting God's character and promises, even when circumstances are unclear.

2. God's Sovereignty: Scripture affirms God's sovereignty over all events, providing believers with confidence amidst uncertainty. Romans 8:28 assures, "And we know that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose."

3. Wisdom and Guidance: The Bible encourages seeking God's wisdom to navigate uncertainty. James 1:5 promises, "If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him."

4. Peace in Uncertainty: Believers are called to experience God's peace, which transcends understanding, even in uncertain times. Philippians 4:6-7 instructs, "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

Practical Applications

1. Prayer and Trust: In times of uncertainty, believers are encouraged to pray and trust in God's faithfulness. Psalm 56:3 states, "When I am afraid, I put my trust in You."

2. Community Support: The Christian community plays a vital role in supporting one another through uncertain times. Galatians 6:2 exhorts, "Carry one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ."

3. Focus on Eternal Promises: Focusing on eternal promises helps believers maintain perspective. 2 Corinthians 4:17-18 reminds, "For our light and momentary affliction is producing for us an eternal glory that is far beyond comparison. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal."

Uncertainty is a common human experience, yet the Bible provides guidance and assurance through faith in God, His promises, and His eternal purposes.(adv.) In an uncertain manner.84. adelos -- uncertainly
... uncertainly. Part of Speech: Adverb Transliteration: adelos Phonetic Spelling:
(ad-ay'-loce) Short Definition: out of sight, uncertainly Definition: out of sight ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/84.htm - 6k

1380. dokeo -- to have an opinion, to seem
... an alternate in certain tenses; compare the base of deiknuo) of the same meaning;
to think; by implication, to seem (truthfully or uncertainly) -- be accounted ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1380.htm - 9k

Septuagesima Sunday. I Therefore So Run, not as Uncertainly; So ...
... Septuagesima Sunday. I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I,
not as one that beateth the air. I therefore so run, not ...
/.../lyra germanica the christian year/septuagesima sunday i therefore so.htm

That the Foundation and Basis of the Spiritual Combat must be Laid ...
... Would you like to hear a true athlete of Christ striving according to the rules
and laws of the conflict? "I," said he, "so run, not as uncertainly; I so fight ...
/.../cassian/the works of john cassian /chapter xvii that the foundation.htm

1 Cor. Ix. 24
... [2.] Ver.26. "I therefore so run, as not uncertainly.". ... But what is, "not uncertainly?"
"Looking to some mark," saith he, "not at random and in vain, as ye do. ...
/.../homilies on the epistles of paul to the corinthians/homily xxiii 1 cor ix.htm

Third Sunday Before Lent
... Now they do it to receive a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.26 I therefore
so run, as not uncertainly; so fight I, as not beating the air: 27 but I ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol ii/third sunday before lent.htm

Galatians Chapter ii.
... nor is it possible that this blessed soul should have fallen into such folly; for
it is himself who says, "I therefore so run, as not uncertainly; so fight I ...
/.../galatians chapter ii.htm

Of the Number of Different Conflicts and victories through which ...
... But he does not mean that he has only finished the contest of a race when he says
"I so run, not as uncertainly" (a phrase which has more particularly to do ...
/.../cassian/the works of john cassian /chapter xviii of the number.htm

Called to Reach a Higher Standard
... The apostle compared himself to a man running in a race, straining every nerve to
win the prize. "I therefore so run," he says, "not as uncertainly; so fight I ...
/.../white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 30 called to reach.htm

How the victor Runs
... 'I, therefore,' says the Apostle, 'so run not as uncertainly.' If the runner is
now heading that way and now this, making all manner of loops upon his path, of ...
/.../maclaren/romans corinthians to ii corinthians chap v/how the victor runs.htm

1 Thessalonians v. 1, 2
... What then? Does it not overtake them as a thief? Does it not come upon
them also uncertainly, but do they know it beforehand? How ...
/.../homily ix 1 thessalonians v.htm

The Circumcision of the Heart
... hands; or, indeed, by any but those who pursue the same course with the great Apostle
of the Gentiles - "I," says he, "so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 17 the circumcision of.htm

Uncertainly (1 Occurrence)
... (adv.) In an uncertain manner. Multi-Version Concordance Uncertainly (1 Occurrence).
1 Corinthians 9:26 I therefore run like that, as not uncertainly. ...
/u/uncertainly.htm - 6k

Uncertainty (4 Occurrences)

/u/uncertainty.htm - 8k

Uncertain (13 Occurrences)

/u/uncertain.htm - 12k

Fighting (201 Occurrences)
... (BBE). 1 Corinthians 9:26 So then I am running, not uncertainly; so I am
fighting, not as one who gives blows in the air: (BBE). 2 ...
/f/fighting.htm - 37k

Fight (265 Occurrences)
... But if a spirit or angel has spoken to him, let's not fight against God!" (WEB KJV
WBS YLT). 1 Corinthians 9:26 I therefore run like that, as not uncertainly. ...
/f/fight.htm - 38k

Totters (3 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 24:20 The earth will be moving uncertainly, like a man overcome by drink;
it will be shaking like a tent; and the weight of its sin will be on it ...
/t/totters.htm - 7k

Darkly (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (adv.) With imperfect light, clearness, or
knowledge; obscurely; dimly; blindly; uncertainly. 2. (adv ...
/d/darkly.htm - 7k

Mauzzim
... have been made. The Septuagint (uncertainly), Theodotion, and the Geneva Version
render it as a proper name. Theodoret adopted Theodotion's ...
/m/mauzzim.htm - 7k

Beating (31 Occurrences)
... 1 Corinthians 9:26 I therefore run like that, as not uncertainly. I fight like
that, as not beating the air, (WEB ASV DBY YLT NAS RSV NIV). ...
/b/beating.htm - 16k

Uncertainly: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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