Why Do We Doubt?
Good Morning Friends,
One thing Bible history helps us to see is that many people, if not all people struggle with issues in their lives that are resolved only on the journey. Many live in a place of suffering…a place of doubt…a place of desperation, but have somehow learned to grow out of the dark.
Here we might find that times of
doubt may indeed be essential to finding God if in our doubts we still seek God. So today having returned from the land of faith, trust and pixy dust in Orlando and just a week away from the celebrations of Holy week I ask, Why Do We Doubt?
Scripture: Immediately the father of the child cried out, “I believe; help my unbelief!”
Mark 9:24 (NRSV)
Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Matthew 28:16-20 (NRSV)
But Thomas (who was called the Twin), one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe.” A week later his disciples were again in the house and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were shut, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe.” Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.”
John 20:24-29 (NRSV)
Jesus answered them, “Have faith in God. Truly I tell you, if you say to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ and if you do not doubt in your heart, but believe that what you say will come to pass, it will be done for you. So I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. “Whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone; so that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses.”
Mark 11:22-25 (NRSV)
Message: The fact that we have doubts indicates that God is not done revealing the way of love to us. You see, God never comforts us in our doubts…but in our faith to build our understanding of the divine until our faith is sufficient to trust and obey. Here God reveals in such a way that any doubt we might have is removed. I am sure that most of us would prefer to live on the mountaintops of spiritual and emotional highs…times when God is moving in powerful ways…times when we have a confidence, passion and excitement of the Spirit that overcomes our resistance to believe. I love those times of sunny days and crisp air but the rain too must have its time. If we keep moving we must walk through the valley to get to the next mountaintop. That is when we struggle. That is when we must fight the battles. But we are in the company of others. The disciples struggled as well and it was not just Thomas. They had been given training, authority and experience but doubt crept in extinguishing their faith. Unbelief cannot be victorious over evil. Unbelief cannot please God. So that is why Jesus the King comes to confront us in our unbelief and in His presence and testing we can become stronger and can rediscover the power of faith. If we have it all how can we say we have faith? It is only when it is beyond our abilities that we can measure our faith. It is only in the anguish we are brought to our knees in prayer and then raised up with Jesus. It is only when we become aware of our spiritual shortcomings… only when we honestly struggle with powerlessness that faith can grow. Trials, difficulties and defeat can all lead us to discover a faith. Rejoice because Jesus comes to those who are honest about their doubts and helps us face them so we might grow deeper. So do not stay in the land of doubt. Press on to higher ground and experience God’s power through greater faith. Let Jesus speak to your heart, just as he spoke to Thomas. Let Jesus take away your doubts. See and believe so that we might together be victorious with Christ.
Pray that we follow God’s advice and overcome our doubt. Pray we are not double minded. Pray we turn our doubts over to God. Pray that we put away our doubts and fears. Pray that Jesus changes our doubts into renewed faith. Pray we are empowered to sow faith where there is doubt, Pray we move beyond doubt to trust. Pray we realize that God is always willing to listen to us in spite of our doubt if we seek Him. Pray we trust in Jesus. Pray if we have that sinking feeling that we turn our eyes to Christ. Pray we realize that the coming of Christ presents the greatest challenge to our faith. Pray we walk upon our fears. Pray we realize that we have the assurance and victory of Christ. Pray we are transformed.
Blessings,
John Lawson
Daily Devotionals 