Devotion 6: Beyond Death and Taxes
It is often said that in life there are only two guarantees: death and taxes. Have you ever heard this phrase? The cynical and satirical nature of this saying highlights two universal, unpleasant human experiences to express a worldly truth claim: nothing in life is ever a sure thing except for these two nagging realities. As an adult, this expression makes me chuckle and sigh. After all, physical death is the natural end for all biological life existing east of Eden. Taxes, for better or worse, have been an inevitable and costly companion to human governance throughout history. Yet, I ask, are those two ideas really the only guarantees in life? Are there no other certainties? Is there no more hopeful outcome upon which we can bank our lives?
In Matthew 2:13-18, we encounter a poignant and dark moment in the early life of Jesus. After the visit from the wise men, Joseph receives a warning in a dream to flee to Egypt with Mary and the Christ child because King Herod, filled with rage, seeks to kill the newborn King. In a desperate attempt to eliminate any threat to his throne, Herod issues the unconscionable decree to kill all male children born in Bethlehem and the surrounding regions. Yet, this gruesome act could not stop God’s plans.
From the very beginning, in Genesis chapter three, a cosmic conflict begins between God’s sovereignty and all other opposing forces, illustrating the lengths to which evil will go to resist God’s will. In the Garden, Satan sowed the seeds of relational destruction between God and humanity. Then, after God delivers the promise of one to come who will crush the head of the serpent, Satan sets his aim to prevent the arrival of the Messiah. However, throughout the biblical narrative, every effort to obstruct God’s redemptive work ultimately fails. God’s purposes prevail, regardless of human schemes or the enemy’s tactics.
Psalm 33:10-11 offers profound hope regarding God’s sovereignty, “The LORD brings the counsel of the nations to nothing; he frustrates the plans of the peoples. The counsel of the LORD stands forever, the plans of his heart to all generations.”
In our own lives, we often face overwhelming circumstances like personal crises, loss, or societal issues that discourage us. It is easy to feel trapped in a cycle of despair, echoing the sentiment of “death and taxes.” However, Scripture reminds us that hope exists beyond our situations. God’s promises provide us with the certainty we seek; they offer a guarantee that transcends our temporary struggles. Romans 8:28 assures us, “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”
The events surrounding Jesus’ birth remind us that even in the darkest moments, God’s sovereign plan endures. While Herod thought he could thwart God’s plan, he became an instrument in a larger narrative. It is one that assures us that God is always at work through the timeline of human history. Every challenge we face is an opportunity for God to display His power and faithfulness. Therefore, we can choose to trust Him, rely on His promises, and proclaim the truth that, in Christ, we have a future filled with hope.
Today, take a moment to reflect on the areas of your life where you feel uncertainty. Bring those concerns before God in prayer. Ask Him to remind you of His faithfulness and embrace the certainties that come from knowing Him. For in Him, we find our ultimate guarantee. He holds our true, sure thing in life.