Though nobody likes to admit it, we all struggle with doubt in our walk with the Lord. We doubt His goodness and faithfulness, and we question if He will keep His promises. And sometimes, we may even doubt things like His existence, the reality of Jesus, and the reliability of His word.
Often, these things are really hard to talk about, especially with our brothers and sisters in Christ. We feel ashamed and embarrassed to even acknowledge these doubts exist. And so, this short post is meant to bring this uncomfortable topic to light and to guide us as we wrestle. To that end, let’s consider the five following points when dealing with doubt:
The role of grace. In His wisdom, God has given us some really fantastic examples of people who doubted- because sometimes it’s really helpful to know we’re not alone in our struggle. Certainly, these examples ease our minds. But you know what’s even better? He has given us the recorded historical accounts of Jesus’ responses to these individuals! Let’s look at two of them.
John the Baptist was quite the guy- so much so that Jesus said there was no one greater born to woman than John. He was the one Isaiah prophesied about, the voice crying in the wilderness to prepare the way of the Lord. And not only did he proclaim Jesus as the Messiah, but he baptized him. In this baptism John audibly heard the voice of the Father, saw the Spirit descend, and held the Son of God. And yet, just a few chapters later John asks the disciples to ask Jesus if he is the Promised One! Instead of indignation or irritation, Jesus simply instructs his disciples to tell John what they have seen and heard: that the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them (Luke 7:22). This answer was chock full of grace. Rather than reprimand John for doubt, Jesus linked his actions to prophecy, pointing John to the truth of his identity.
We couldn’t leave this section without talking about the most famous doubter of all: Thomas. Post resurrection, Thomas did not believe the others’ when they told him Jesus was alive. He boldly stated, “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe” (John 20:25). Thomas would settle for nothing less than in the flesh, physical proof of Jesus’ resurrection. Again, we see the grace of our Savior. When Jesus appeared to Thomas he didn’t lecture or chide. He simply told him to place his finger on his hands and to put his hand on his side, graciously demonstrating that he is who he said he is.
And for us. When we cast our names among the well-known doubters of Scripture, we can be sure that Jesus’ response to us is the same. As our Creator, he remembers that we are dust; he is not surprised by our questions or uncertainty. And as our Good Shepherd, he lovingly guides us back to himself, graciously reminding us of who he truly is.
The object of our faith. In times of doubt we can feel as though our faith is barely existent, as if it resembles something like a particle of dust rather than a boulder. But here’s the thing to consider: The object of our faith is what matters- not the amount. The amount of our faith will waiver on any given day, vacillating somewhere between full and almost empty. And while this can be uncomfortable (and certainly not our desire) this is the reality of our flesh. But what is unchanging is who our faith is in. And this cornerstone- the object of our faith- is Jesus Christ.
He is the Son of God, one with the Father, the Alpha and Omega. He is the Incarnation, the forever God-man who dwelt with us in the flesh. He is from everlasting and the One who atoned for all of our sin. He is the One over whom death holds no power; the One who is at the right hand of the Father, ruling and reigning.
This is the strong, mighty object of our faith, the One in whom we have believed! It is not faith in our faith that saves us, that provides us with confidence. No! Our security, assurance, and confidence comes only from our faith in Christ- whatever the amount of faith may be. He is unchanging, even when we feel our faith may fail. So be encouraged, friends! When even a mustard seed of faith is placed in our Savior, we have not gone astray; for the object of our faith is mighty to save and he will hold us fast until the day of his Appearing.
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