To Those Who Doubt...

Jude 1: 22

Be merciful to those who doubt.

It is not unknown to us that life can be difficult and in those difficult times we may naturally begin to question things. Questions such as “Does God really love me?” “Is God really good?” “Why does God allow these things to happen to me?” flood our minds. God, in all his wisdom is not ignorant to the significance of these questions in our lives. God is no stranger to our struggle with trusting him, believing in him and fully depending on him. After all, we are human and He remembers that we are but dust (Psalm 103:14).

Let’s face it. We grow up learning how to navigate life by using both our physical senses and cognitive skills. For example, that fruit looks like an apple, we’ve been taught that this fruit is called an apple and so we can come to a logical conclusion that it is in fact an apple. However, God sometimes makes us look at things in a completely different way that often times defies earthly logic.

Take our brother Peter for instance. When the boat the disciples were on had drifted, Jesus decided to meet them on it and so he walked on water to reach them. At first the disciples thought they were seeing a ghost (the only logical human explanation at the time). Jesus however let them know it was actually him. Peter, our brave heart, still wanted to confirm it really was him and asked Jesus if he could meet him out on the water. Jesus told him to come and Peter began walking on water too!

Matthew 14: 29

…. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”

Initially, Peter was doing so well. Yes, he was probably already grappling with the idea that he was even walking on water but was doing it anyway! However, when that wind came it was a completely different story. Physically, he could see that the waves were getting higher, the wind was getting stronger and logically this meant he was now going to sink. The situation changed, things had intensified, the situation became more complicated. So, instead of looking and focusing on Jesus the person who was enabling him to walk on the water in the first place Peter ended up getting distracted by the very true, and obvious effect of the wind and began to doubt.

It was Jesus’ response to his moment of doubt however that struck me the most.

Matthew 14: 31

Immediately Jesus reached out his Hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”

What did Jesus do? In Peter’s moment of doubt, in this momentary struggle of believing in God’s ability to navigate him through rougher waters, Jesus’ response was immediate. He Immediately held out his hand and caught him and saved him from sinking any further.

Psalm 37: 23-24

The lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him; Though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand.

Dear doubter… I am telling you today that God is holding His hand out to you with every intention of helping you. Your struggles, frustrations, pain and heartache are not unknown to God. Your difficulty in trusting Him is very known. Your need for logical reasoning is also known to Him. The posture of His heart towards you concerning this matter is one of mercy, and He is already holding out His hand. He is not angry with you neither is He annoyed.

God is saying “it’s okay, I get it. Just don’t give up and take my hand. I’ll help you through it. I will help you to believe.”

Prayer today:

Lord Jesus, you are God over all the earth. Help us to believe in you more today. Like a helpful runner in a race showing excellent sportsmanship to a person lagging behind, you are taking our hands and carrying us to the finish line. You, Lord you are the author and finisher of our faith. Help us Lord not only to increase our faith in you but also to perfect it. We thank you and give you all the praise. Jesus, the one and only true God, in Your name we pray, Amen.