Greetings to you in the name of ‘the Beginning and the End’, Jesus Christ – THE Risen Saviour! What an interesting late summer morning … not really sure what is going to happen, but it will be good in a way that will surprise us! I am reminded this morning, as I travelled along, that this is a time to get things done — road construction, building projects, painting, and yard work. Today I will be praying for you, asking Father to make you aware of the areas in your life where He is working to make you the best you can be for his purposes.
I have been reminded recently of the importance of “doubt” in my life, especially as it relates to God’s purposes and plans. Without the correct amount of doubt in my life there would be no need for “faith”…and no need to interact with God on a regular basis in prayer. I wonder what would happen to my spiritual development if God removed doubt from my life. If at the beginning of each week or month or year, God sent me a detailed itinerary of where I would go, who I would meet, what challenges I would face, how they would work out, what I needed to do, and I didn’t have to use faith – what or who would I be?
And if there was no doubt about what was going to happen then there would be no need for miracles or divine ‘coincidences’ or God ordained appointments with people. If there was no doubt in my life there would be no surprises, no serendipities, no faith celebrations, and no reasons to testify. If there are no doubts then the Bible’s stories aren’t necessary. I wouldn’t read that Moses stepped out in faith not knowing where he was going or how he would get there. Imagine reading – God told Moses exactly what was going to happen and how and when … so Moses stepped out without faith. No need to worry or read any further – it is all predetermined.
It is moments like these that drive me back to the words of the poet: How do I know that God is good? I don’t. I gamble like a man. I bet my life upon one side in life’s great war. I must, I can’t stand out I must take sides….I must have God. This life’s too dull without…I bet my life on Christ – Christ crucified…It is a choice. I choose the Christ. – from ‘The Unutterable Beauty’ – G.A. Studdert-Kennedy Yes! I thank God for my doubts….doubts that give me the opportunity to release faith in a God who says: “Follow me”…I know the plans I have for you…I will never leave you or forsake you…you will have difficulties but I have overcome…in your weakest moments you will find strength…I will carry onto completion the work that I began…you are a vessel of honour…the Father delights in you…and sings over you!
I don’t want to live beyond the shadow of a doubt. I want to hear the challenge – why are you doubting?… because I will know that the real question is: why aren’t you “faithing”?
Something to think about…have a great weekend and be blessed!