The Ugliness & Horribleness of Doubt
A totally impossible thought entered my thoughts this morning as I studied, and maybe it would be easiest to describe it first through a narrative. Imagine with me the next scene.
She awakes early as usual, awakened by pain. Gently, she tries to leave the bed, the place of slumber, without awaking the other, her spouse. Noiselessly, she hobbles into the next room, doing what needs to be done before quietly moving into the hallway where she pauses to quietly close the bedroom door.
This pattern of movement is normal, a daily occurrence.
However, later that same morning, unlike a “normal” morning, her beloved does not arise, does not walk down the hall, and turn on the kitchen light. She wonders why but thinks he surely must just be tired. Little does she know that he has already left his slumber; in fact, he arose hours earlier, leaving the bed and the home when called to repair something broken upon the railway.
Do we ever think we would turn from or stop following God?
Do we ever think we would stop seeking the face of Jesus?
Do we ever think we would give up being led by the Holy Spirit?
Do we ever think these thoughts?
Maybe not. Maybe so. Maybe, but also maybe true is the fact that we would never share these thoughts. What would the world think?! What would our friends think?! Our children would never believe their ears, and our family would try to stop us, help us, and lead us back to the fold—wouldn’t they?!!!
Maybe we have reached this point in our spiritual walk, and maybe periods of doubt have come upon us like an ocean wave knocks down a person as she stands in the midst of the sea.
Maybe we have received these thoughts and wondered, “Where did this come from? Leave following Christ? Never! Would I? Could I? I should not, right, ever!”
Maybe we have doubts of God’s healing, God’s protection, God’s enduring love.
Believers must live in light of God’s promises.
Doubt is a terrible thing!
Doubt is the “unspoken” topic.
Doubt is for the weak believer, not for me, right?!
Doubt is of the devil, surely.
Doubt is a terrible & horribleness of thought!
The only way I know how to share about this thinking is to share God’s Word, so let’s read the Scripture together.
Jesus returned to Galilee. Jesus taught with authority, powered by the Spirit, and news of His arrival and teaching traveled quickly throughout the region. Jesus was in the synagogues and many praised His teaching. That is where we find Jesus for this passage—in the region of Galilee, in His hometown Nazareth. When He arrived, I am not sure how Jesus felt, but I believe He enjoyed being present in His hometown where He grew up as a boy, where He lived with His earthly family, and where He learned carpentry from His earthly dad (Joseph).
As was the custom, the synagogue rulers brought the Teacher a scroll to read, to teach from that day, and without a doubt, it was providential that they chose the prophet Isaiah’s scroll, chapter 61. Please See With Me.
“The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me,
Because the LORD has anointed me
To bring good news to the afflicted,
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
To proclaim liberty to captives
And freedom to prisoners;
To proclaim the favorable year of the LORD
And the day of vengeance of our God;
To comfort all who mourn.”
(Isaiah 61: 1-2)
“THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD IS UPON ME,
BECAUSE HE ANOINTED ME TO PREACH THE GOSPEL TO THE POOR.
HE HAS SENT ME TO PROCLAIM RELEASE TO THE CAPTIVES,
AND RECOVERY OF SIGHT TO THE BLIND,
TO SET FREE THOSE WHO ARE OPPRESSED,
TO PROCLAIM THE FAVORABLE YEAR OF THE LORD.”
(Luke 4: 18-19)
As was the custom within synagogue teaching, Jesus closed the book (the scroll), gave it to the attendant, and began to teach, while everyone present looked upon Him, listening with intentionality.
Jesus was sent to us, to humanity.
Jesus came for a purpose.
Jesus was the One!
God knew we were physically, emotionally, and mentally oppressed.
God knew we were walking, trapped in our blindness and in total bondage.
God loved us despite our capacity to sin.
Jesus came to say, “I Am Who I Say I Am!”
Jesus came to proclaim the time was now to believe.
God sent His only Son to save the world of humanity from their sin.
- God loves us that much.
- God knows we would struggle to believe.
- God knows our heart.
“And He began to say to them ’Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.’”
(Luke 4: 21)
Many were amazed by the teaching of Jesus.
Many believed; Many did not.
Many wished for Jesus to remain; Many demanded that He go.
All needed Jesus, the Savior.
“When day came, Jesus left and went to a secluded place; and the crowds were searching for Him, and came to Him and tried to keep Him from going away from them.
But He said to them, ‘I must preach the kingdom of God to the other cities also, for I was sent for this purpose.’”
(Luke 4: 42-43)
Doubt is a terrible thing!
Doubt is the “unspoken” topic.
Doubt is for the weak believer, not for me.
Doubt is of the devil, surely.
Doubt is a terribly, evil thought!
Doubt comes upon us as we allow ourselves to slumber.
Jesus arose on purpose.
Jesus came to repair something that’s broken.
Jesus comes to remind us Whose We Are.
This world is not our home.
This world is dangerous.
We’re temporary residents.
Sinful temptations follow us everywhere here on earth.
Our permanent address—Heaven!
But until we arrive home, spiritual war surrounds us.
Jesus was sent to us to preach the kingdom of God.
Please take time to listen to the lyrics of this melody.
“God You Are” by We Are Messengers & Josh Baldwin shares the truth of God.
“Amazing Grace how sweet the sound
We once were lost but now we’re found
Forever You hold us in Your arms
Cause that’s the kind of God You are . . .
It’s in the empty tomb
It’s on the rugged cross
Your death-defying love
Is written in Your scars
You never quit on me
You’ll always hold my heart
Cause that’s the kind of God You are . . .
You stepped into the dark
Cause that just the kind of God You are. . . .”
“God You Are”
Bible theologian John Piper once said, “If you turn your back on the greatness and majesty of God, you’ll fall in love with the world of shadows and short-lived pleasures.”
- Let us not fear doubt but embrace God’s truth.
- Let us speak Jesus and seek His truth.
- Let us remember our weakness and hold onto Jesus’ strength.
- Let us speak Scripture when the devil attacks us, and let us see the devil flee.
- Let us see the evil ugliness and horribleness of doubt Satan brings to our minds.
- Let us hold onto the beautiful, wonderful truth of Jesus Christ our Savior, Redeemer, & LORD.
God knows we were physically, emotionally, and mentally oppressed.
God knows we are walking, surrounded by the blindness and bondage of others, by those who doubt the truth we proclaim.
God loves all of us—despite our sinfulness, and God sent His Son anyway.
Jesus comes to us, saying, “I Am Who I Say I Am!”
Jesus comes to us proclaiming the time to believe is now.
God sends His Son to save the world of humanity from their sin.
God loves us that much.
God knows our struggle to believe.
God knows our heart.
“And He began to say to them ’Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.’”
(Luke 4: 21)
There is an ugliness & horribleness of doubt, but may we continually see Jesus & believe!