Doubts
By Mike Rule

I was recently sharing with someone what God has been doing, saying, and revealing over the past several weeks. I was also sharing some of my personal struggles with doubt and unbelief. In the midst of this she made a comment that struck me like lightning. She said, "How can you doubt and struggle to trust Him in light of all that He has said and done in your life? If I was hearing from Him like you are I don't think I would doubt."

Those words sounded so familiar to me. I have said them so many times! It made me think of the children of Israel in the wilderness, of Abraham and Sarah, of Thomas, of Peter, of Judas. I can remember thinking, "If I had seen the pillars of fire and cloud, if I had heard God tell me to go somewhere, if I had seen the actual life of Christ and all his miracles, I would never doubt!" Ha! Do you know what? I would! I do! I always will!

The issue really isn't doubt! The issue is, "Will I believe even in spite of my doubt?" Like the father in Mark 9:24 I pray, "Lord, I believe! Help my unbelief!" I only have so little faith Lord. I know I fall short and I need you to provide me with everything I lack. He has shown that looking at what is seen -- looking at the visible things God does all around us -- does not build our faith. It is in looking at Christ Himself that our faith is built. He is the author an perfector of our faith! I doubt for one reason: God does not want me to be distracted from Him by the things He is doing! He wants my eyes fixed squarely upon Him and Him alone. I praise Him for the doubts for they bring me ever nearer to Him.