Neil Armstrong and the Apollo 11 crew understandably had some trouble finding an insurance company that would underwrite their trip to the moon. Facing the possibility that they wouldn’t return, the team signed hundreds of autographs and left them with their families so the autographs could be sold in case the crew didn’t return from their mission.

No one likes the idea of the unknown: medical bills we can’t afford, homes ravaged by natural disasters, loved ones left in the lurch unprovided for… So we take out insurance. We consider the risk and think of ways to mitigate the loss or damage.

Life is full of risk.

Isaiah writes about the “scoffers” who say, “We’ve taken out good life insurance. We’ve hedged all our bets, covered all our bases. No disaster can touch us. We’ve thought of everything. We’re advised by the experts. We’re set.” (Isaiah 28:15 MSG)

Our natural inclination as humans is to do this. To take matters into our own hands, sign all the bits of paper we can find, consider all possible outcomes and then put insurance in place to feel like we have control over the unplanned things.

But the reality is there’s nothing that we can do to insure ourselves against the inevitable pain, loss and challenge that life brings. We are not in control, and no amount of money can save us. Our value and safety isn’t in what we can do. It’s never enough. “No one can redeem the life of another or give to God a ransom for them— the ransom for a life is costly, no payment is ever enough…” (Psalm 49:7-8 NIV)

But there is good news. God laid down a “precious cornerstone” that “the one who relies on it will never be stricken with panic.” (Isaiah 28:16 NIV) We can be free from the fear of the unknown and ‘what ifs’ because Jesus is our assurance, insurance and guarantee.

He’s the policy you need to hold onto.