Doubt the Doubts

Then Moses answered and said, "But suppose they will not believe me or listen to my voice; suppose they say, 'The LORD has not appeared to you.' " Exodus 4:1

Chapter three of Exodus is an incredible chapter of God’s great promises. Have you read it lately? God promised Moses that He was going to do great things. Like a great orchestral piece, chapter three crescendos with God’s promise that the Israelites will plunder the oppressing nation of Egypt.

What promises! What hope! What inspiration! It’s amazing! Jump to your feet! Cheer! Clap your hands!

And then comes chapter four- the soloist’s blooper… a flat note played loud and clear. Like fingers on a chalkboard. Moses doubts God.  “Are You sure You know what You are doing? Do You know who You are talking to? You couldn’t use me.”

Often times I am like Moses. God ends a chapter with a promise, and I open the next with doubt. So many chapters of my life begin with a doubt, questioning God, and looking at my frailty and my shortcomings. I wonder if God has made a mistake, or if He can see the big picture. More often than not I see that I can’t do it, I’m not smart enough, I don’t have the leadership skills, I’m too messy, I have too many sins, I’m not ready…

Jesus talked about the importance of coming to God with childlike faith- accepting God at His word. You may have seen the bumper sticker that says, “GOD SAID. I BELIEVE IT. THAT SETTLES IT!” As nice as that sounds, I do think that the message is a bit too long. It ought to say, “GOD SAID IT. THAT SETTLES IT!” God promises are yea and amen, whether I believe it or not.

I think it is time to start doubting the doubts. Doubt that they know what they are talking about. Doubt that they have all the facts. Doubt that they have our best intrests in mind. Doubt that they know the future. Doubt that they are right.

Doubt the doubts. Believe God.

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Shine

There is something to be said about the power of enthusiasm in a believer. John Stott made this point by a story he told about an stanch unbeliever. Following are Stott’s words:

A strangely fascinating power is exerted by those who are utterly sincere. Such believers attract unbelievers, as with the case of David Hume, the eighteenth-century British deistic philosopher who rejected historic Christianity. A friend once met him hurrying along a London street and asked him where he was going. Hume replied that he was going to hear George Whitefield preach. 'But surely,' his friend asked in astonishment, 'you don't believe what Whitefield preaches, do you?' "No, I don't,' answered Hume, 'but he does.'

When you live like you believe, it shows. I don’t think it is too far fetched to say that it is for this very reason that we are asked in the Bible to let our lives shine with our passionate beliefs. The Apostle Matthew passed on the words of Jesus that touch this very issue in Matthew 5:16.

Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.

There it is. Let the world see what you believe. Let them know your enthusiasm and passion for your faith. Let it shine forth in your actions, in your word, in your life. And as you do, people will be attracted to the God whom you love.

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Trust

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6

Trust. Now that’s a big word! Yes it is only five little letters long, but it carries a lot of weight. It is one of those words that are easily said, but more difficult to perform. We have a hard time putting trust in a product or a stock. It is enormously difficult to trust a dentist when he says, “this won’t hurt a bit.” Do you trust a politician? I find it difficult to trust my own feelings. And at times it can be difficult to put my trust in God.

It is hard to trust someone you have not seen. I think that is why I have such a hard time with those telemarketers; I can’t see them- is he dressed professionally? does she have a kind face? is he yawning when I’m talking? It can be like that with God. I can’t see or hear Him. That’s a hurdle to get over. In fact, when it comes right down to it, the only way that one can come to God is through trust.

Without faith (another word for trust) it is IMPOSSIBLE to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe (another word for trust) that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. (emphasis mine) Hebrews 11:6

So we must come to God with an attitude of trust. Trusting that He has it all figured out; I may not, but He does. Trusting that He has a good plan; mine may have failed, but His never will. Trusting that He can see me through dark times; I may not be able to see, but He sees perfectly.

This also means, as the proverb above says, that I must learn not to trust myself, but to trust God. Or, to put it another way, Trust God before I trust myself. He is far more reliable; He sees far more than I can see; He knows more than I will ever know; He is infinite and I am finite.

Oswald Chambers said it so well, “Trustfulness is based on confidence in God, whose ways I do not understand. If I did, there would be no need for trust.”

Trust God today with what He wishes to do with your life.

If this was helpful, then you may enjoy reading The Clocks.

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