And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists
and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. ~ Hebrews 11:6
Our doubts assist us relate to our faith, driving us to question our relationship with Our Father. If our faith is solid, it must be able to withstand any amount of criticism and questioning. Scripture is filled with stories of doubt influencing the faithful follower to constantly question our relationship with God.
When Thomas the Apostle said that he wouldn’t believe unless he felt the wounds of the Risen Christ he demanded certainty. He was saying, “I will believe it when you prove it to me.” Faith is never about certainty. It is belief in the face of our many questions, even misgivings.
It is trust encouraged by our ongoing daily experiences demonstrating that our faithfulness in God provides us with all that He promises us.
The Prophet Job was to learn over many years that his faithfulness in God would be tried day, after day with bitterness filling the prayers of Job when questioning why he was being treated so badly.... so Job perceived. The Father replied that Job's faith was growing each, and every day despite Job's many doubts. Through his doubts Job became the most faithful student of the many lessons Our Father would teach him over many years. The end result ensured that Job was transformed into a better person, improving on the person who in his earlier life believed he deserved his status in his community. Our Father would teach Job that self improvement is a daily journey of self discovery completed when we draw our last breath.
It has been, and is my daily experience that when my doubts begin to overwhelm my faith, Our Father reminds me that He will provide me with all the strength, and wisdom necessary to overcome my doubts. Our Father steps in when ever we feel too weak to continue.
Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God:
I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness! ~ Isaiah 41:10
end
Responses