The Church of Divine Guidance (CDG) Sunday morning adult bible study group is conducting a study about doubt and the Christian. These posts are my notes for each session. Please study with us. You can participate by asking your questions or making comments below. We welcome your thoughts, questions, comments, and prayers.
Last week
Doubt and fear usually go hand in hand. When doubt and fear creep in, it is a signal to ask ourselves if we are failing to trust God. Are we failing to truly love Him, are we failing to allow His love to be made perfect in our lives?
The bible says that perfect love, the kind of love that God has for us and that we should have for him casts out fear. With that kind of love we don’t have to doubt or fear the past, present, or future.
1 John 4:17-18 (NLT)17 And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the day of judgment, but we can face him with confidence because we live like Jesus here in this world.18 Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love.
Perfect love causes us to have boldness. It is the love which God, who is love, has produced in us through the Holy Spirit. That boldness comes about because we know that we can approach God’s presence boldly, without any shame.
We serve an incredible, amazing, and powerful God...a God who cares so much that He walks with us every second of the day. He does not sleep and He never takes a break.
Psalm 121:3-5 (NLT)3 He will not let you stumble; the one who watches over you will not slumber.4 Indeed, he who watches over Israel never slumbers or sleeps.5 The LORD himself watches over you! The LORD stands beside you as your protective shade.
He never leaves us or forsakes us.
Deuteronomy 31:6 (NLT)6 So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the LORD your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you.”
He is never fickle He’s the same yesterday, today, and forever.
Hebrews 6:10 (NLT)10 For God is not unjust. He will not forget how hard you have worked for him and how you have shown your love to him by caring for other believers, as you still do.
Hebrews 13:8 (NLT)Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
He truly loves us so very much and He cares about every detail of our lives...nothing is excluded. We serve an all-inclusive God!
We believe that God love us but why does He allow situations that cause us to doubt?
If He does not see value coming out of a situation, He will not allow it.
James 1:2-4 (HCSB)2 Consider it a great joy, my brothers, whenever you experience various trials,3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.4 But endurance must do its complete work, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing.
Romans 5:3-5 (HCSB)3 And not only that, but we also rejoice in our afflictions, because we know that affliction produces endurance,4 endurance produces proven character, and proven character produces hope.5 This hope will not disappoint ⌊us⌋, because God’s love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
Hebrews 10:32-36 (HCSB)32 Remember the earlier days when, after you had been enlightened, you endured a hard struggle with sufferings.33 Sometimes you were publicly exposed to taunts and afflictions, and at other times you were companions of those who were treated that way.34 For you sympathized with the prisoners and accepted with joy the confiscation of your possessions, knowing that you yourselves have a better and enduring possession.35 So don’t throw away your confidence, which has a great reward.36 For you need endurance, so that after you have done God’s will, you may receive what was promised.
Patience, or confidence, in the light of the things recalled, should not now be forgotten, or cast away; for this is a confidence based upon assurance, a boldness of vital faith, an assured victory. - The Wycliffe Bible Commentary.
There is not a situation that God is not in total control of. God never wastes any situation we go through. EVERY situation has the ability to help us or others.
Doubt can be the greatest catalyst that can catapult us into a richer trust in God...and a deeper relationship with Him,because doubt will cause us to take a look at our faith level. Not saving faith because that remains constant but our daily living faith. The kind of faith described by Hebrews 11:1
Hebrews 11:1 (HCSB) Now faith is the reality of what is hoped for, the proof of what is not seen.
David saw benefit from his suffering
Psalm 119:65-72 (HCSB)65 LORD, You have treated Your servant well, just as You promised.66 Teach me good judgment and discernment, for I rely on Your commands.67 Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I keep Your word.68 You are good, and You do what is good; teach me Your statutes.69 The arrogant have smeared me with lies, but I obey Your precepts with all my heart.70 Their hearts are hard and insensitive, but I delight in Your instruction.71 It was good for me to be afflicted so that I could learn Your statutes.72 Instruction from Your lips is better for me than thousands of gold and silver pieces.
Having gone astray before his affliction, the psalmist now sees a beneficial purpose in his suffering. - The Wycliffe Bible Commentary.
Even if it seems like life will never get better...it can! When you feel you have lost your way, that truly can be a very good thing! It is a signal to warn you that you are on a wrong path and you're trusting in yourself, or something..or someone..else, instead of God.
Proverbs 3:5-6 (HCSB)5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding;6 think about Him in all your ways, and He will guide you on the right paths.
When verse 6 says He will direct your path it’s not so much guidance as Him giving you the ability to move forward.
If we are honest, we all hate to wait. In fact, most often we say something like, “I can’t believe this is taking so long; it’s costing me time I don’t have!” That’s because most of us consider waiting to be wasting. But it’s not so with our God.
God works while we wait. Even when you can’t see what He is doing, God is always orchestrating the events of heaven and earth to accomplish His purposes for your life. Trust in His unfailing love—love that moved Him to send a Savior from heaven to restore and rescue you. God’s plans for your life will not be thwarted. Wait patiently, knowing that waiting is never wasted when you are waiting on God.
Here’s a prayer that I read in one of my devotions;
Father, I am here waiting for You. My heart and hands are open to Your purposes and plans for my life. Give me the patience I so desperately need and lead me in my waiting. Though my feelings may not be there just yet, I believe You are moving on my behalf right this minute, protecting, defending, preparing, providing. Give me grace to keep trusting in You in the face of the gale force winds of doubt that are blowing all around me. Anchor my heart in You. Amen.
When you are at your wits end like Jeremiah felt when he wrote Lamentations think about what God showed Ezekiel about the nations of Israel and Judah when they were in exile and scattered all around the known world. They thought they were done for and that it was all over for them too.
Ezekiel 37:11 (NKJV)11 Then He said to me, "Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel. They indeed say, 'Our bones are dry, our hope is lost, and we ourselves are cut off!'
Look at what God told Ezekiel to prophesy and then what happened;
Ezekiel 37:1-14 (NKJV)1 The hand of the LORD came upon me and brought me out in the Spirit of the LORD, and set me down in the midst of the valley; and it was full of bones.2 Then He caused me to pass by them all around, and behold, there were very many in the open valley; and indeed they were very dry.3 And He said to me, "Son of man, can these bones live?" So I answered, "O Lord GOD, You know."4 Again He said to me, "Prophesy to these bones, and say to them, 'O dry bones, hear the word of the LORD!5 Thus says the Lord GOD to these bones: "Surely I will cause breath to enter into you, and you shall live.6 I will put sinews on you and bring flesh upon you, cover you with skin and put breath in you; and you shall live. Then you shall know that I am the LORD." ' "7 So I prophesied as I was commanded; and as I prophesied, there was a noise, and suddenly a rattling; and the bones came together, bone to bone.8 Indeed, as I looked, the sinews and the flesh came upon them, and the skin covered them over; but there was no breath in them.9 Also He said to me, "Prophesy to the breath, prophesy, son of man, and say to the breath, 'Thus says the Lord GOD: "Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe on these slain, that they may live." ' "10 So I prophesied as He commanded me, and breath came into them, and they lived, and stood upon their feet, an exceedingly great army.11 Then He said to me, "Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel. They indeed say, 'Our bones are dry, our hope is lost, and we ourselves are cut off!'12 Therefore prophesy and say to them, 'Thus says the Lord GOD: "Behold, O My people, I will open your graves and cause you to come up from your graves, and bring you into the land of Israel.13 Then you shall know that I am the LORD, when I have opened your graves, O My people, and brought you up from your graves.14 I will put My Spirit in you, and you shall live, and I will place you in your own land. Then you shall know that I, the LORD, have spoken it and performed it," says the LORD.' "
We do not have the ability to see the entire picture of our lives...and whether we realize it or not, our lives are not just limited to ourselves.
Situations we go through in life have a much greater purpose than we could ever wrap our minds around...in fact, some situations we are presently going through may be for a future purpose and we won’t know it until it happens. Then we’ll say that’s why God allowed that to happen. It may have been something that made us change something that improved our life or something that blessed somebody else, or caused somebody to realize that they need Jesus in their life and they receive salvation ax the result of something that God brought us through. None of us merely exist for just the "here and now"...and all of our lives will live on through whatever legacy we leave to the generations after us.
Psalm 139:13-19 (HCSB)13 For it was You who created my inward parts; You knit me together in my mother’s womb.14 I will praise You because I have been remarkably and wonderfully made. Your works are wonderful, and I know ⌊this⌋ very well.15 My bones were not hidden from You when I was made in secret, when I was formed in the depths of the earth.16 Your eyes saw me when I was formless; all ⌊my⌋ days were written in Your book and planned before a single one of them began.17 God, how difficult Your thoughts are for me ⌊to comprehend⌋; how vast their sum is!18 If I counted them, they would outnumber the grains of sand; when I wake up, I am still with You.19 God, if only You would kill the wicked— you bloodthirsty men, stay away from me—
The most powerful message we can give isn't a testimony or sermon; it is the life we live when the pressure is on, temptation is tremendous, or we are buried under an avalanche of problems.
We CAN trust God! We are here on earth not for ourselves, or even our comfort or wholeness. Comfort and wholeness are promised and come later either when we are with the Lord in death or when Jesus returns.
Revelation 21:4 (HCSB)4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes.Death will no longer exist;grief, crying, and pain will exist no longer,because the previous things[a] have passed away.
We’ve talked about that before when we said that we while God never leaves or forsakes us we may not be delivered from all of our afflictions, some of which may be consequences of our own actions, until we are with Him either at physical death or when Jesus returns.
Anytime you have doubts, it does not necessarily mean you lack faith...it means you are putting your faith in the wrong people or wrong things.
Here’s an example;
Acts 14:8-13 (HCSB)8 In Lystra a man without strength in his feet, lame from birth, and who had never walked, sat9 and heard Paul speaking. After observing him closely and seeing that he had faith to be healed,10 Paul said in a loud voice, “Stand upright on your feet!” And he jumped up and started to walk around.11 When the crowds saw what Paul had done, they raised their voices, saying in the Lycaonian language, “The gods have come down to us in the form of men!”12 And they started to call Barnabas, Zeus, and Paul, Hermes, because he was the main speaker.13 Then the priest of Zeus, whose temple was just outside the town, brought oxen and garlands to the gates. He, with the crowds, intended to offer sacrifice.
Here’s what Paul said;
Acts 14:15-17 (HCSB)15 “Men! Why are you doing these things? We are men also, with the same nature as you, and we are proclaiming good news to you, that you should turn from these worthless things to the living God, who made the heaven, the earth, the sea, and everything in them.16 In past generations He allowed all the nations to go their own way,17 although He did not leave Himself without a witness, since He did what is good by giving you rain from heaven and fruitful seasons and satisfying your hearts with food and happiness.”
Paul urged the people to worship the living God, and depend on Him rather than on man. rather than His ministers or apostles. This sermon given to a purely pagan audience contrasts strikingly with the sermon delivered at Antioch in the Jewish synagogue. Before pagans can appreciate the mission of Jesus, they must recognize the oneness of God. Paul's sermon rests largely upon the evidences of natural theology which point to the existence of a Creator and Sustainer. Although God allowed men to go their own way, he provided for them a witness unto himself in granting the rains and harvest times to satisfy the human appetites. - The Wycliffe Bible Commentary.
Let’s talk about some things we can to when we are going through doubts.
The first thing of course, and I keep talking about it over and over, is to admit that we have doubt. Be honest with yourself and with God.
Create an inventory of your life, situations, and doubts. Ask God to reveal every doubt you are holding onto. Include past events that damaged your trust in God, present circumstances, as well as any future events you are worried about.
Go through your list with God...one by one...then after each event or thing you listed, ask God for His forgiveness and His help. Give each thing or circumstance you listed to God and ask Him to work out each situation according to His purpose.
Next, shred the list and ask God to truly set you free from all doubt, worry, and fear.
When future doubts, fear, or worry attempt to surface, immediately pray to God and ask Him to intervene. Immediately give Him your fears, worries, or doubts and choose to trust in His goodness, great love, and purpose.
Spend time with God and read His Word each and every day. Develop a genuine love relationship and friendship with Him. Thank Him for everything good in your life. As you dive deep into God, genuine trust is the treasure you will find.
Hebrews 10:32-39 (HCSB)32 Remember the earlier days when, after you had been enlightened, you endured a hard struggle with sufferings.33 Sometimes you were publicly exposed to taunts and afflictions, and at other times you were companions of those who were treated that way.34 For you sympathized with the prisoners and accepted with joy the confiscation of your possessions, knowing that you yourselves have a better and enduring possession.35 So don’t throw away your confidence, which has a great reward.36 For you need endurance, so that after you have done God’s will, you may receive what was promised.37 For yet in a very little while, the Coming One will come and not delay.38 But My righteous one will live by faith; and if he draws back, I have no pleasure in him.39 But we are not those who draw back and are destroyed, but those who have faith and obtain life.
Release ALL of it to Him today!
Deuteronomy 33:27 (HCSB)27 The God of old is ⌊your⌋ dwelling place, and underneath are the everlasting arms. He drives out the enemy before you and commands, “Destroy!”
Leaning on the Everlasting Arms is a hymn published in 1887 with music by Anthony J. Showalter and lyrics by Showalter and Elisha Hoffman.
What a fellowship, what a joy divine,
Leaning on the everlasting arms;
What a blessedness, what a peace is mine,
Leaning on the everlasting arms.
Refrain:
Leaning, leaning, safe and secure from all alarms;
Leaning, leaning, leaning on the everlasting arms.
O how sweet to walk in this pilgrim way,
Leaning on the everlasting arms;
O how bright the path grows from day to day,
Leaning on the everlasting arms.
Refrain
What have I to dread, what have I to fear,
Leaning on the everlasting arms;
I have blessed peace with my Lord so near,
Leaning on the everlasting arms.
Refrain
I encourage you to place your fears, worries, and doubts...and every situation that has broken your heart or spirit...and place all of it at God's feet.
We can trust God...He is beyond trustworthy. We can be grateful to God...He is so good to us. We can have a vibrant love relationship with God...His love is an absolute treasure! He wants the very best for each and everyone of us!
Remember this: God is able to do immeasurably more than we could ever ask, think, or imagine! He is not finished with you or your situation yet! Ask Him to help you through your doubt...He's truly got this!
He has great plans for you and can use any circumstance or situation you have been through for the greater good...even doubt. Now that you've allowed God to help you overcome your doubt, you have the ability to be merciful to others who are doubting and can now help them.
Philippians 1:6 (HCSB)6 I am sure of this, that He who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
Ephesians 3:20 (HCSB)20 Now to Him who is able to do above and beyond all that we ask or think according to the power that works in us—
Life can be tough but God is there every step of the way! He truly cares about any circumstance that hurts our hearts or tempts to create doubt. Go to Him for every situation you go through in life. He DOES care...and He truly loves you so very much!!
Psalm 136:1 (HCSB)1 Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good. His love is eternal.
Jude 1:20-25 (HCSB)20 But you, dear friends, as you build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit,21 keep yourselves in the love of God, expecting the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ for eternal life.22 Have mercy on those who doubt;23 save others by snatching ⌊them⌋ from the fire; have mercy on others but with fear, hating even the garment defiled by the flesh.24 Now to Him who is able to protect you from stumbling and to make you stand in the presence of His glory, blameless and with great joy,25 to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, power, and authority before all time, now and forever. Amen.
Romans 8:28 (HCSB)28 We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God: those who are called according to His purpose.
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