Why Do We Keep Doubting?

Why Do We Keep Doubting?

 

Good Morning Friends,

 

Ok I know that there is no such thing as faith without doubt but with all the evidence God deserves better in our worship than the pathetic excuse we pan off as our belief in God. We need to be a little more convincing. Why Do We Keep Doubting?

 

Scripture: And what more should I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets— who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, obtained promises, shut the mouths of lions, quenched raging fire, escaped the edge of the sword, won strength out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight.

 

Hebrews 11:32–34 (NRSV)

 

Jesus said to him, “If you are able! —All things can be done for the one who believes.” Immediately the father of the child cried out, “I believe; help my unbelief!” When Jesus saw that a crowd came running together, he rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, “You spirit that keeps this boy from speaking and hearing, I command you, come out of him, and never enter him again!”

 

Mark 9:23–25 (NRSV)

 

Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but by this time the boat, battered by the waves, was far from the land, for the wind was against them. And early in the morning he came walking toward them on the sea. But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them and said, “Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.” Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat, started walking on the water, and came toward Jesus. But when he noticed the strong wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” When they got into the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

 

Matthew 14:22-33 (NRSV)

 

Blow the trumpet at the new moon, at the full moon, on our festal day.

 

Psalm 81:3 (NRSV)

 

Thus says the Lord God: The gate of the inner court that faces east shall remain closed on the six working days; but on the sabbath day it shall be opened and on the day of the new moon it shall be opened.

 

Ezekiel 46:1 (NRSV)

 

Message: There is one thing I have learned the hard way… Doubt is never comforting. So those that believe should be more kind to honest doubters struggling with what the Bible says. Doubters should be made more welcomed not just in the pews on Sunday mornings but wherever they are so they might learn more about God through a relationship. Even though their light shines less brightly than the Son’s, there will be times where they might draw closer in proximity. There are times and opportunities in the cycle of events that prompts us to look with new eyes. And here on occasion the observable world can reflect the heavenly one. Whether we are seekers or servants of Jesus, from time to time we are dealing with the same questions in a world in which we live. We all get a little frustrated with not being able to see the stars at night when the moon is full. But then there are times like this morning when the moon is just a tiny sliver that is just about to rise in a few minutes. Here in the darkness we can see the stars but have only hope and faith that in time there will be a day that shines a light on our shared scars. Some of those scars are unsightly but they are a sign for us that we can heal and that they when shone to others in love may just bring the peace that all need to experience. The significance of the new moon in Bible times is that it marked the beginning of a new month. It was a time of celebration. The next new moon is tonight at 8:11 p.m. But the Bible makes it clear that there is a danger of observing the New Moon festivals without a true heart to follow God. There can be hypocrisy in meaningless worship. But as Christians we need to remember that no amount of ritual can change us. We need to remember that sacrifices are no longer required. The righteous requirements of the law have been fulfilled in Christ. Our job is to not doubt. The future of the faith depends on believers actually believing.

 
 

Pray that in the cycles of life and light that we would have faith in not only the seen but the unseen. Pray that even our doubt is used as a means of making us stronger in our faith and drawing us and others closer to God. Pray that we realize that the struggle is necessary. Pray we survive our periods of doubt by honestly acknowledging them in the community of believers. Pray we turn to God for help and receive what He offers in that moment. Pray we are not double-minded. Pray that we thrive because we have conquered doubt. Pray we see God in every day events. Pray that our internal scars be a witness of Christ to others. Pray others feel what we feel so that in time they might see what we see. Pray that others see that Jesus has healed in our heart.
Pray that we put away our doubts and fears. Pray that we stand on truth, live by faith and believe that God will finish what He has started in us. Pray our belief takes us from believing is small miracles to large miracles to eventually the resurrection. Pray we trust God to remove our doubts even in the darkness.

 

 

Blessings,

 

John Lawson