We get our Strength from/in God
God is great. His name is above all names.
We worship Him through all things – good or bad
Because He knows us, and loves us
Only He can save us, we can’t save ourselves no matter how hard we try
He takes care of us, He is our God…
Have you ever been bitterly disappointed in your own life? Ever wonder where you’re going or what it is that you’re supposed to be doing? Ever doubt God? I have found that it is easy to doubt God. To doubt His word and to doubt that I am doing what He wants me to do.
Let’s see, fear…got that. To lack confidence…got that. To consider unlikely…got that. I’ve got doubt in abundance, and it usually shows up about the time God wants me to do something for Him, or often it comes up when I’m being tested…how simple to fail a test, how easy to fall into the world’s view and walk away from God…how acceptable to give in to the temptations of Satan and turn our face from God. See, the foolish thing we think is that we ought to be able to understand God. That we should be able to at least have an idea about what it is God is doing, or what He wants from us. I would have to disagree with that view. God is unfathomable, unknowable, but at the same time, He is our God and He wants what is best for us.
If only God would speak; if only he would tell you what he thinks! If only he would tell you the secrets of wisdom, for true wisdom is not a simple matter. Listen! God is doubtless punishing you far less than you deserve! “Can you solve the mysteries of God? Can you discover everything about the Almighty? Such knowledge is higher than the heavens — and who are you? It is deeper than the underworld — what do you know? It is broader than the earth and wider than the sea. If God comes and puts a person in prison or calls the court to order, who can stop him? For he knows those who are false, and he takes note of all their sins. An empty-headed person won’t become wise any more than a wild donkey can bear a human child.
Job 11:5-12
If only He would speak…if only He would tell us what He thinks, what He wants. Anybody ever see the movie “Bruce Almighty?” A part that always stands out in my mind is when Bruce is praying to God for a sign and the pager goes off, then a sign in the street, then another sign and another sign. Every time something happens that is so obviously from God, Bruce would blow it off as something natural, or would miss the point. How often do we miss what God is trying to show us? How often do we take are eyes off God and look at what is in the natural world. Anybody want to take a guess at what happens to us when we look at the world instead of focusing on God?
And Peter answered Him and said, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” So He said, “Come.” And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!” And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased.
Matthew 14:28-32
But the thing is, it’s ok to be tested, it’s ok when we have to stretch our faith and really search for meaning and guidance. God is ok with us seeking Him and asking for Him to show us His will. He wants to build our character, He wants to strengthen us, He wants us to wait on Him and know that He will take care of it.
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.
James 1:2-8
You see, as we are tested, we begin to seek God more diligently, to look for answers from Him who supplies everything. The great thing is that God never asks us to believe Him without sufficient evidence. How many times does God show us that He exists? How can we doubt a God who is always in our lives? How many times in this church are words given that are exactly what is being preached? How often do things just work out for us when there is no way it could ever have happened?
So how do we get rid of doubt? Well, first off, we stay in God’s word, every day. We pray, we fast. We must also be in fellowship with other Christians. We build each other up, we help each other to stay faithful, we save each other from doubt.
But you, my dear friends, must remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ said. They told you that in the last times there would be scoffers whose purpose in life is to satisfy their ungodly desires. These people are the ones who are creating divisions among you. They follow their natural instincts because they do not have God’s Spirit in them. But you, dear friends, must build each other up in your most holy faith, pray in the power of the Holy Spirit, and await the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will bring you eternal life. In this way, you will keep yourselves safe in God’s love. And you must show mercy to those whose faith is wavering. Rescue others by snatching them from the flames of judgment. Show mercy to still others, but do so with great caution, hating the sins that contaminate their lives. Now all glory to God, who is able to keep you from falling away and will bring you with great joy into his glorious presence without a single fault. All glory to him who alone is God, our Savior through Jesus Christ our Lord. All glory, majesty, power, and authority are his before all time, and in the present, and beyond all time! Amen.
Jude 1:17-25
I have felt doubt numerous times. I have doubted that I’m in the will of God, I have doubted that I’ve heard from God and I have doubted that God cares about me enough to pay any attention. I have made it through these doubts and become stronger in my faith because of the things I have been taught. Scripture covenant, read every day, pick up the phone and call someone, ask for prayer. These are the steps to staying faithful and beating doubt.