01/20/2021
Second only to fear, doubt causes us to hesitate in our faith more than anything else. When God asks us to step out for Him, we may be reluctant to because we are afraid, but almost as likely as the feeling of fear, what freezes us in our tracks is doubt. When we are uncertain if He will act and see us through our tough spots it is very hard to take those bold steps of faith. Trusting in God requires that we defeat the doubt that is crippling us.
“Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act.”
Psalm 37:5 ESV
One summer I attended an outdoor camp with one of my sons, and they had a course in which you would walk on ropes stretched high in the air between trees, and required you to jump from one platform to another without falling. Of course you had a rope attached to your waist to catch you in case you fell, but you had to completely trust in that safety rope before it would provide you with the needed confidence to step out on those high ropes. Obeying the will of God often stretches us in much the same way those high ropes did... in doing the challenging things that God asks of us we must Trust in Him completely. Our faith mustn’t be riddled with crippling doubt.
“But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.”
James 1:6 ESV
Jesus wants us to walk in faith without doubt, but if doubt should creep in, and cause us to fall, He is our safety rope. There is no better example of this than the account of Peter walking on the water. Peter became afraid as he reached Jesus by walking on the water, and his fear caused him to doubt.. then to sink.
“And 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 and walked on the water and came to Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.” Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?””
Matthew 14:28-31 ESV
These four words “why did you doubt?” are indicting words of Jesus, and when we hear them in our walk of faith they tell us that we have failed. We may not have failed permanently, being rescued and then recovering as Peter did, but certainly we will have failed in that moment.
Had Peter kept his focus on Jesus he would not have become afraid, and if we will keep our eyes fixed on Him, and stay focused on the Word of God, then we will not become afraid nor will our faith be shaken by doubt.
“You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock.”
Isaiah 26:3-4 ESV
So today let’s contemplate the state of our faith, and determine if we are inclined to give into doubt, even if we subsequently reach out for Christ’s hand and look to the Holy Spirit as we recover in prayer, and seek to restore the firm state of our trust.
Prayer:
Father, thank you for your Word, and the gospel of Jesus Christ, your Son who is our lifeline of rescue from sin, and who is there to catch us when we fall victim to doubt in our faith. Help us Father as we endeavor to trust you in all things. Keep us focused on you Holy Father, and steady our steps as we walk in our faith. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God who calls us to yourself, and who makes it possible for us to walk on water and do the other things of great and steady faith. Praised be you name for demonstrating your might, and reinforcing the trust we have in you that squelches all doubt. You are merciful Father, and full of grace as you forgive us. Lord, you return us to righteousness as we hold the hand of Jesus through our transformation from sinner to saint, and cover every sin and transgression with the healing blood He has shed for us. By your grace through Christ, and our unshakeable faith, we pray to receive a seat at your table for eternity.
Rich Forbes