Struggles and Doubt

Mercy for doubters

Jude 17-25

  

Have you ever experienced a time in your life when you struggled and were filled with doubts? Maybe it was a broken relationship; or your job was downsized; or a family member died suddenly or was diagnosed with a terminal illness. Life has a way of bringing struggles and doubts to all of us.

 

Mark tells the story of the man who asked Jesus to heal his son because his disciples weren’t able to. Both the disciples and the father doubted Jesus.

 

^21-22 “Jesus asked the boy’s father, “How long has this been going on?” “Ever since he was a little boy. Many times it pitches him into the fire or the river to do away with him. If you can do anything, do it. Have a heart and help us!” ²³ Jesus said, “If? There are no ‘ifs’ among believers. Anything can happen.” ²⁴ No sooner were the words out of his mouth than the father cried, “Then I believe. Help me with my doubts!”       MSG

 

We live in a culture that is filled with values and beliefs that are not Christian – pride, materialism and lust to name a few. God has called us to live in this culture; not to conform to it, but to transform it. If we are not careful, we can adopt those same values and beliefs of the world around us.

 

In his letter, Jude is writing to Christians who are struggling and doubting because of some false teaching about grace and sin. 

 

^22 “Try to help those who argue against you. Be merciful to those who doubt. ²³ Save some by snatching them as from the very flames of hell itself. And as for others, help them to find the Lord by being kind to them, but be careful that you yourselves aren’t pulled along into their sins. Hate every trace of their sin while being merciful to them as sinners.”        TLB

 

Whatever struggles you face in life; whatever doubts you may have; God is always with you. God is always at work in your life to draw you closer to Him. God has given you grace so that you may share His grace and love with others.

 

^16 “Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”         NIV

 

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=jude+1%3A17-25&version=NIV;TLB
https://www.biblegateway.com/audio/mclean/niv/Jude.1.17-Jude.1.25

 

 

Ephesians 6:10-20 Life on Mission – Pray

The Armor of God

As we envision the Knights in Shining Armor of the past, we might be reminded of how courageous they appeared as the swordsmen raced toward one another upon the backs of  bold and determined steads. They were relentless until one or the other had fallen to his death.

There was a living, breathing human being inside each set of armor. Focusing on one in particular, let's speculate how this jousting match came to be: 

Likely as a young man, the knight began preparing for the day his competition would take place long before it happened. When the helmet was first placed upon his head, it strained his neck and put pressure on his temple. The breastplate made him uncomfortable as it dug into his ribs and made it difficult to breathe. As his belt was tightened, he groaned and wondered how he was going to manage. Placed in one hand was a gold plated shield he could barely lift, and in the other an ornate silver sword that made his arm and wrist ache as he raised it pridefully into the air. He was told that his feet should be at the ready at all times. Though excited about the challenge, he doubted himself and had no idea how he was going to find the strength to do the will of the king.

As time went on, the young knight to be was gaining strength. He listened to the other knights. He read up on the laws and rules of knighthood. He hung out with others who were in the same situation as he was, as well as those with more experience and asked questions that helped him grow as a knight. When he was alone, he worked with each piece of armor individually until he was comfortable with it and then added one after another until he was in full armor. Day after day the heart and soul of this knight grew stronger until he knew he was ready. Did he have a few twinges of doubt from time to time, sure, but overall he had the faith he needed to do the job . 

As we forge ahead with God's promise in hand, we too will be protected by armor, but this armor of the Lord is all housed within us.  

"Be strong in the Lord and his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God,.....Stand firm then with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take the helmet of salvation and sword of the Spirit which is the work of God. And PRAY in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests...." Ephesians 6:10-18

Our armor will feel heavy and awkward at first as well, yet continued prayer and faith will lighten the burden and make this "Life on Mission" well worth the challenge. How are you doing on your checklist?

Ephesians 6:10-20

Reaching for the Invisible God

Psalm 13

 

For over 30 years I loved watching Robin Williams. I loved him in “Mork and Mindy”, “Good Morning Viet Nam”, “Mrs. Doubtfire”, “Good Will Hunting”, “Awakening”… I could go on.

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=okkhgZim5Ig

When news of his death was announced, tears came to my eyes. He was a year younger than me. He had it all - success, fame, fortune - everything that the world has to offer. But it wasn’t enough, so he committed suicide.

 

How much longer will you forget me, Lord? Forever?
    How much longer will you hide yourself from me?
How long must I endure trouble?
    How long will sorrow fill my heart day and night?
    How long will my enemies triumph over me?           Psalm 13:1-2 GNT

 

Robin no doubt felt much like David did. You may have felt this way yourself. Was it because of a broken relationship? A lost job? The unexpected death of a loved one? Health problems? Depression? Struggling with an addiction? Sometimes, even when everything is going right, God just feels far away. Where is he?

 

Phillip Yancey wrote in Reaching for the Invisible God, “Doubt always coexists with faith, for in the presence of certainty who would need faith at all”. Who indeed? In one way or another, we are all reaching for the invisible God. Robin Williams was. David did. You and I are. But will we find Him?

 

Life happens, and when it does we need to keep moving forward towards God even when we feel like He is not there; even when we feel completely alone. And if we do, then we can pray like David did:

 

I rely on your constant love;
    I will be glad, because you will rescue me.
I will sing to you, O Lord,
    because you have been good to me.     Psalm 13:5-6 GNT

 

Amen.

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?dc=5&utm_expid=13466113-10.DRY5Q0U2TpaXvRe49bTgCA.5&search=Psalm%2013&version=NIV;GNT&utm_referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.biblegateway.com%2Fpassage%2F%3Fdc%3D5%26search%3DPsalm%2B13%26version%3DNIV
https://www.biblegateway.com/audio/mclean/niv/Ps.13

John 20:19-29

Are you one of those trusting people who will believe what you are told, even if a stranger makes the statement?  I am not, and it used to drive my husband crazy.  Anytime he would repeat something he heard from a customer I would pepper him with questions about the statement, usually ending the discussion with, "You believe everything you hear?"  I am sure he didn't, he only shared those things with me that he did believe were true, but my negative nature questioned everything.

I have probably missed some mighty blessings because of my behavior.  Thomas could have missed out too, but Jesus gave him another chance to see and believe.  That second chance came at a price though.  Thomas missed a blessing because he didn't trust the word of his fellow disciples.  Jesus even told him, "Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." (John 20:29)

"Stop doubting and believe."  These were Jesus' words to Thomas.  I wonder how many times Jesus has said that to me.  Having faith is not an easy thing to learn.  It is our struggles with life that increase our faith - confusing, isn't it?  I am learning this is true.  My current pain and struggle with life has only strengthened my faith.  I have to lean on God and trust Him.  That is belief to me.

Read the John 20:19-29 text here.