Doubt: December 8, 2010

Today's Word for Wednesday December 8, 2010

DOUBT

DEFINITION


An unsettled state of opinion; indecision; matter of uncertainty; suspicion; feel distrust; question the accuracy.

SCRIPTURE

"Your life will hang in doubt before you; you shall fear day and night and have no assurance of life." Deuteronomy 28:66.

"O you of little faith, why did you doubt." Matthew 14:31.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE

In the verse above, Matthew 14:31, Peter and some of his fellow disciples were in their boat fishing. A storm came up and they were in trouble. Soon the disciples saw Jesus walking on the water and Jesus tried to comfort them by saying he was there and with them. Jesus told Peter to come to Him and Peter did. Then a wind came up and Peter took his eyes off Jesus. Peter began to sink because he turned his focus on his circumstances. He focused on the wind and the waves and his own inadequacy and his faith in Jesus wavered. His faith turned to doubt.

He knew where to turn for help. He did not call on the other disciples with him in the boat to come and save him. He cried out to the Lord, "SAVE ME." Jesus responded instantly and reached out His hand and caught Peter.

When we find ourselves sinking in a sea of despair and realize that we cannot "save ourselves," we can turn our eyes on Jesus. He is always there offering His outstretched hand to catch us and to lift us up. Jesus said to Peter, "You of little faith, why did you doubt?" When our faith is small it does not take much to make us doubt. What a great message for us today.

How many times a day do we doubt? Do you doubt your salvation? If you do then what brings on your doubt. For the most part it will be that you have neglected your communication with God. You must read God's book daily. This is His communication to you. Then you must pray every day. This is your communication to God. When communication breaks down between you and God, doubt will always come your way. It is just the opportunity Satan is looking for to lead you astray.

This is also true in your relationships with your spouse, your children, your family and your friends. To live a life without doubt one must have daily communication, an ability to listen and a commitment to live a Christ-like life. In order for a family to be a cohesive unit they must be able to have faith in one another. They must be able to trust one another without doubt about each other's trustworthiness.

Before Peter was released from prison by an angel (Acts 12:11), he had doubt if God was with him. And the scripture says that when Peter came to himself he said: "Now I know for certain that the Lord has sent His angel and delivered me from the hand of Herod and from all the expectation of the Jewish people."

We have no reason to doubt if we are in tune with our Lord. In James 1:6 it reads: "But let him ask in faith, WITH NO DOUBTING, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind." One of the last things Jesus told His disciples before He was crucified was: "Assuredly I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but also if you say to this mountain, 'Be removed and be cast into the sea,' it will be done. And whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive." Matthew 21: 18-22. Strong faith is the key to eliminating doubt in your life.

LEARNING

Our memory verse for this week is found in John 16:33

In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer. I have come to overcome the world.

PRAYER

Help me today not to be a doubter like Thomas was when he saw Jesus after His resurrection. Help me to keep my eyes fixed on Jesus so that my faith may never waver. Give me the faith to make every moment of today a positive experience that honors and glorifies Your name.