When doubt comes in

It began in a garden where the first couple had everything and they trusted God who gave them only one command: do not eat from the tree of knowledge of good and evil. The snake suggested six things that would mess with that trust and encourage disobedience, suggestions that still work.

First Satan took their focus away from all that had been given them and put it on the one thing they could not have. How different this world would be if everyone could simply be thankful, but as the NT says: “For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools.” (Romans 1:21–22)

Second, Satan minimizing the Consequences by telling them, “You will not die” as if God lied. With their attention focused on the tree they forgot what God actually did say. This is why I need to daily read God’s Word — I forget what God says too.

The enemy’s next strategy was mislabeling disobedience. He suggested eating the forbidden fruit would expand them, make them more complete. He added to that lie by mixing good with evil saying the fruit was good for food, adding that it was also pleasing to the eye. His final lie was saying eating it would make them wise. They didn’t get it that he was calling God a liar and making his interest in their welfare appear greater than God’s.

In contrast, the NT tells me to get my wisdom direct from my Maker, not from forbidden stuff. Should I fall into that trap, I eventually realize how foolish that was. Instead…

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. 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. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. (James 1:5–8)

An unstable person is up and down, trusting God one day and doubting the next. This makes me joyful then miserable, sure of God then unsure. It affects my moods, even my health. It certainly affects my prayer life.

Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.” (Mark 11:24–25)

And Jesus answered them, “Truly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what has been done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ it will happen. And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.” (Matthew 21:21–22)

It also affects my spiritual growth, unity with other Christians and the health of the Body of Christ. Doubt never glorifies God but turns inward and shrivels my ability to praise Him.

And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love. (Ephesians 4:11–16)

The Bible says faith comes by hearing God speak of Jesus. While that builds faith, I find that any  doubt first must be confessed as sin. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)

PRAY: Jesus, You also tell me, “Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.” (James 4:8) Drawing near to You in confession of my doubts releases me from the enemy’s lies and allows that sweet surrender — an attitude of trust even in situations where life seems to make no sense. After all, faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen and without faith it is impossible to please You, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that You exist and that You reward those who seek You. (Hebrews 11:1;6)

Loveless faith is useless faith

 

Faith with love has power, yet it is also costly. In the past three days, saying yes to love and acting in faith has me so tired that I’m struggling to keep my eyes open. The activities done in love are delightful and rewarding, but the fatigue has me weak.

MacArthur encourages me with, “The gift of faith is the ability to believe that God will act according to His will, no matter the circumstances. People with that gift are prayer warriors and tend to stand as rocks when others around them are falling apart. They see God’s power and purposes at work, and they trust Him even when others doubt.”

This has been my experience the past few weeks. Love comes with a price tag but it is vital for all Christians.

And if I have  . . . all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. (1 Corinthians 13:2)

Jesus used this figure of speech a few times. When the disciples failed to heal someone and asked Him about it, He said: “Because of your little faith. For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.” (Matthew 17:20) He later repeated it:

Truly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what has been done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ it will happen. And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith. (Matthew 21:21–22)

We use this figure of speech today too. This week, I’ve said that planning a family reunion seems like moving mountains. It is not literal but still means overcoming  great obstacles. In the NT, Jesus used it to describe those with faith who can ask the impossible and believe God will answer.

But the NT also says that even if I have such faith, if I don’t have love, I am nothing. This points to faith in action and happens because of the One I am trusting. I’ve heard the word ‘faith’ used for something that sounded more like presumption. Some use it as if ‘this is what I want and I know God will do it for me’ rather than being assured of God’s will in the matter. In the NT, the Corinthians’ motives were evident in their selfish pursuit of the showy gifts, not considering the importance of loving others.

What motivates me? Do I want the mountain moved to make my  life easier or more comfortable or for my glory? Am I praying out of compassion for someone who is suffering? Do I pray to show off my faith rather than to seek God’s glory? Do I remember that love includes humility, obedience, and sacrifice? And that without love it doesn’t matter what gifts I have, how eloquent my speech might be, or what I know, or believe? Love rises above all selfishness or self-centered reasons for praying.

PRAY: Jesus, I’m exhausted. Do I feel so tired because the enemy wants me to stop praying? You have been gracious to hear and answer, to bless those I pray for and to be praised for Your love and mercy. Now I ask for the energy and determination to keep trusting You and to keep praying. Thank You.

PONDER: Mark 14:32-42 and Luke 22:39-46 noting what Jesus says about the fatigue His disciples experienced. Compare that to 1 Peter 4:7-11 and the will of God concerning prayer and actions of love.

 

 

Accepting His answers . . .

Genesis 22; Nehemiah 11; Matthew 21; Acts 21

Yesterday was difficult. My sister is no longer here. Heaven is good, but I cannot see it. Walking by faith and not by sight is hard. Yet my sister made it clear that she was ready to die and be with Jesus. I wanted her to stay with us yet am glad she is with Jesus.

Sunday’s sermon helped these emotions. The pastor offered four questions to ask in difficult situations:

1. Do I believe God can do anything?

2. Am I willing to leave the ‘anything’ up to Him?

3. Am I willing to stop worrying or striving over the issue?

4. Will I accept His answers?

The hardest question is the last one because there is no other option. My sister will not be healed. I had stopped striving about that and let go. Now I’m praying that God will honor her desire for her memorial service — that Jesus will be lifted up and that God will be glorified. She didn’t want the funeral to be about her. But what if it is? Or what if it is blah, flesh-delivered? Or the music is awful? Yikes. Can I leave this up to Him?

Today’s reading in Genesis is about God asking Abraham to sacrifice his only son, the son God promised him. Most of us know the story. It was a test of faith and Abraham passed it. Just before the knife fell, God stopped Abraham:

And Abraham lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, behind him was a ram, caught in a thicket by his horns. And Abraham went and took the ram and offered it up as a burnt offering instead of his son. So Abraham called the name of that place, “The Lord will provide”; as it is said to this day, “On the mount of the Lord it shall be provided.” (Genesis 22:13–14)

Abraham had to trust God’s promises before he saw the ram. I feel like He is asking me to do the same, to trust Him without seeing. My sister wanted Jesus exalted at her memorial service. Will He do it?

I was thinking of that when I read the above verses, then saw the footnote in my Bible. It says the last part could be translated: “The LORD will see” and “On the mount of the LORD He will be seen.” This hit me as one of those ‘rhema’ words from God to my heart. He sees what is needed and in providing that need, He will be seen.

Surely the great need is redemption and forgiveness of sin. God provided Jesus to make that possible. Not only do I want the Gospel message central as my sister wanted, but people who attend will see that God has provided Jesus for their greatest need.

Matthew reminds me that God’s work is often done in ways that at first do not make sense. This goes back to before my sister died. She wanted spiritual revival in her hometown. Will God answer that desire of her heart by her death? He does grant answers to prayers made in faith. (Matthew 21:21–22)

I feel glad that God’s ways are often mysterious. One example is the way Paul was warned about his plan to go to Jerusalem . . .

A prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. And coming to us, he took Paul’s belt and bound his own feet and hands and said, “Thus says the Holy Spirit, ‘This is how the Jews at Jerusalem will bind the man who owns this belt and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.’ ” When we heard this, we and the people there urged him not to go up to Jerusalem. Then Paul answered, “What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be imprisoned but even to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” And since he would not be persuaded, we ceased and said, “Let the will of the Lord be done.” (Acts 21:10–14)

Again, I connect this with my sister’s deep desire for revival and for Christ to be exalted. She also wanted no special effort made as her health deteriorated. She was ready for the will of God to be done. He could have healed her, yet He put her in a situation where it was obvious this was her time to go and she was ready, even excited to see Him. Will her memorial be part of His answers to her prayer and mine?

It is easy to say, “Thy will be done” yet harder to accept if His will does not fit with my hopes. On the other hand, He could do “far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us”  (Ephesians 3:20) and bring glory to Himself in a mighty way.

Again, He can do anything. I need Him to enable me to leave that ‘anything’ to His grace and wisdom, quit being anxious about it, and prepare to accept whatever happens, still convinced that He knows best.