Doubt

to be inclined to disbelieve...be skeptical of....to be fearful or suspicious of....to lack confidence in...to be uncertain.....there are levels of doubt that one might have in a relationship with God. There are those that doubt that God exists, that He really did come to this earth, that He is the only way to eternal life, that He is love, and just, and merciful, and.......but to have spent time with God...will leave little doubt that He is who He says He is.....but walking with Jesus means we cannot expect a life of certainty...God is master of the "unexpected." Jesus was walking on the water one day, and calls Peter to, "Come." Eyes on Jesus...he jumped out of the boat and started walking ON water. Recorded in the same chapter of Matthew was the beheading of John the Baptist...John spent his ministry IN the water....assured that Jesus was the Christ..."Behold, the Lamb of God, "he said, "who takes away the sin of the world! I myself have seen and testified that this is the Son of God. (Jn. 1: 29-34). Strong men of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, in today's language we would say that these men were "on fire for Jesus Christ" and yet...doubt...."But seeing the wind....he became frightened.....and beginning to sink.....(Matt. 14:30) Peter became "uncertain." About to be beheaded....for following the will of the Lord...John the Baptist became, "uncertain." "Are you the Expected One, or shall we look for someone else?"John asked.(Matt. 11:3) Yes, I believe God is who He says He is and can do anything with His power. but, there are times I am tempted to doubt... ....We can love Jesus with all our hearts...believe He is who He says He is...but it is the "unexpected" that can catch us off guard...I admit, I like certainty. I like money in the bank, a nice steady job, immediate answers to all of my requests. Though I like to see the Lord perform miracles..I don't always like the situations He puts me in....Jesus brings us to a place that we cannot depend on ourselves for the faith we need to handle the circumstances He places us in. With confidence we look to our sister in the faith...Fannie Crosby...blind from birth who wrote:

"All the way my Savior leads me, what have I to ask beside? Can I doubt His tender mercy, who through life has been my Guide? Heav'nly peace, divinest comfort, here by faith in Him to dwell! For I know, whate'er befall me, Jesus doeth all things well. For I know, whate'er befall me, Jesus doeth all things well! All the way my Savior leads me, cheers each winding path I tread, gives me grace for every trial, feeds me with the living Bread. Though my weary steps may falter, and my soul athirst may be, gushing from the Rock before me, Lo! a spring of joy I see; Gushing from the Rock before me, Lo! A spring of joy I see! All the way my Savior leads me, Oh, the fullness of His love! Perfect rest to me is promised in my Father's house above. When my spirit, clothed immortal, wings its flight to realms of day, this my song through endless ages; Jesus led me all the way; This my song through endless ages; Jesus led me all the way!

For truly I say to you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, "Move from here to there, and it will move, and nothing will be impossible to you. Matt. 17: 20