Uncertain Times

In this time of pandemic, Pfizer is running an ad which has a hopeful and uplifting message.  So much so, that it could easily slip past the listener that it says:

“When things are uncertain, we turn to the most certain thing there is…science.”

Uncharacteristically, my husband picked up on this first.  He often pays no attention to ads and uses ad time to flip from one channel to another.  But he caught it and drew my attention to it.

Science is the most certain thing there is?

I suppose we would like to think that, because we would like to believe that science, including medicine and technology, have all the answers and have the potential to solve all problems.  We want to believe that it is only a matter of time before the current crisis fades away as a treatment or prevention are discovered by hard working scientists.

Don’t get me wrong.  I love science.  I remember during college days butting heads with a friend over whether science or the humanities were more important areas of study and bodies of knowledge.  But, I do recognize the short comings of science.

Over the years, multiple theories have been put forth with a high degree of certainty and later discovered to be off the mark.  Perhaps they had an element of truth or pointed the researchers in the next direction to be explored, but they weren’t “certain.”  If science is the most certain thing there is, we are in a lot of trouble.

A few years ago, I remember reading that our DNA contained a lot of “junk.”  There were areas that did not code for essential proteins and had no reason to be there.  It was cited as proof of evolution over creation.  Certainly no creator would have left this useless stuff in the code.  That was science.  More recently it has been determined that the areas that don’t actually code for the proteins are the “operating system.”  The areas previously understood are the “software.”  Both are essential. 

Ideas regarding the origin of the universe and its age change on a regular basis.  How the current novel virus came about is still being debated.  Science hasn’t yet figured out whether certain medications are actually helpful in the battle with the virus.  Will science figure this out?  Perhaps eventually, but in the process, there will be false ideas coming out of the scientific community.  What is said with certainty today, may not be so certain next year.

Science is wonderful.  It has allowed us to make phenomenal discoveries.  But, it is not infallible and it is not CERTAIN.

I chose to believe in an omniscient God who actually has all the answers, and who also sees into the future.  He is the only certain thing in uncertain times.

Isaiah 44:28 Do not tremble, do not be afraid. Did I not proclaim this and foretell it long ago?  You are my witnesses.  Is there any God besides me?  No, there is no other Rock; I know not one.

God’s sovereignty is our only security.

I plan to stand on the Rock.