Brothers, how often do we fall prey to the mentality that we must have the answers for everything? I lose track of the frequency of which it occurs in my own life. As Christian men who have been called to serve as shepherds of local churches, we are faced with questions and dilemmas on a continual basis. As men and leaders, we want to fix things and provide solutions. But, we know there are times when we don’t have any clue how to respond. There are scenarios that don’t fit with “textbook” answers. Our nation has been going through a cultural shift for some time. As mere men, we don’t know what things will look like in the years to come. How do we respond as Christ-followers and how do we guide the local church each of us has been appointed to oversee?

Sitting on my desk in front of me is a copy of the inspired Word of God. Do I trust it is sufficient as I face the uncertain times in the country in which I live? Do I believe it has answers to problems I face? Do I believe it provides the wisdom necessary to shepherd the local church of which I am overseer? The apostle Paul, believing his execution to be near, wrote Timothy to encourage him in the midst of uncertain times, saying, “Evil people and impostors will become worse, deceiving and being deceived. But as for you, continue in what you have learned and firmly believed. You know those who taught you, and you know that from childhood you have known the sacred Scriptures, which are able to give you wisdom for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work” (2 Tim. 3:13–17). In the face of opposition from Jew and Gentile alike, a culture filled with rampant immorality and spiritual deception, a challenging local church ministry in Ephesus, and now Timothy learns that his spiritual mentor will be departing this world to enter the presence of Christ (2 Tim. 4:6-8). Paul would no longer visit or write to encourage and equip.

But, he left Timothy with the crucial reminder, “All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work” (2 Tim. 3:16–17). No matter what Timothy would face in the ungodly world of the Roman empire or what unforeseen challenge would arise in the Ephesian church, the Scriptures would equip Timothy for ever good work. Despite the extremely trying circumstances, God’s Word would detail for him how to approach each issue in a wise, God-honoring way. This is exactly what Timothy needed to hear from his mentor to help him keep a proper perspective.

In the midst of uncertainty, the Scriptures give the servant of Christ encouragement, stability, and strength. Brothers, we may not always have the answers, but the Word of God does. We may not always have the resolve and courage to face the condition or opposition of the world but the Spirit of God is sufficient. “Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God who is working in you, enabling you both to desire and to work out His good purpose” (Phil. 2:12–13). The indwelling Holy Spirit fills us with the desire to do God’s will and enables us to carry it out. The Spirit prays on our behalf when we don’t know how or for what to pray (Rom. 8:26-27). The Spirit strengthens us as believers to serve Him faithfully (Eph. 3:16). The need of believers to be strengthened by the unsurpassed strength of our God is an often repeated theme in the Scriptures (Ps. 28:8; 138:3). Paul prayed for the Colossian church, “May you be strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for all endurance and patience, with joy” (Col. 1:11). In fact, Paul testifies to the Lord’s sustaining strength, saying, “But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that the proclamation might be fully made through me and all the Gentiles might hear. So I was rescued from the lion’s mouth” (2 Tim. 4:17). What was the apostle’s sufficiency for life and ministry? He revealed it in his letter to Timothy – the Scriptures and the sustaining presence of the Lord. Paul wasn’t sharing some hypothetical, pithy statement by which to motivate Timothy in the face of great challenges. He shared what had been his hope and strength throughout his ministry. They remained his hope and strength in the face of death. Timothy would need the Scriptures and the Lord. Brothers, these are two precious and irreplaceable things that cannot ever be taken from us.

Before we ever get to the point of how we shepherd others through uncertainty, we must know how we personally are shepherded through these times. When we wake each day to reports of military aggression, human trafficking, sexual immorality, and varying expressions of rebellion against the one true God, where do we turn, brother pastors? Knowledge of human psychology, business, acumen, motivational speaking, and charm all fall flat when facing a world of uncertainty. Christ and His Word do not fall flat. R.A. Torrey once said, “The truly wise man is he who always believes the Bible against the opinion of any man.” Where are we looking for wisdom in these days? Where are we looking for strength? What are we trusting in to equip us for every good work? Let us continually look to and cry out to the risen Christ. Let us dive deep into His Word. These truly are the source of our vitality and our sufficiency.