Description
Overcoming Doubt Through Faith and Meditation on God’s Word
In this video, we explore practical ways to tackle doubt by… (visit YouTube for more)
Transcript
Do you want to know how to overcome the problem of doubt, how to tackle it from the root? We are dedicated here to meditating on the words of God, and I can personally testify to how this has helped me and is still helping me in my life and in my journey of faith.
And one of the things that’s particularly struck me since I started this YouTube channel is how my own doubts have significantly subsided. I didn’t use to meditate much, and now I’m a convert!
I’ve seen firsthand how this process of meditating on scripture, not studying it, but dwelling on it, soaking in it regularly, has refreshed my soul and reignited my internal commitment to the truth of God’s word. And that’s influenced my knowledge, my belief, my day-to-day life, and my faith.
I still sometimes wonder if there’s a God. Is that a shocking thing to say?
And yet, if I take a step back and look at how I’m living, I can see evidence in my own life of a deeper relationship with God, a firmer commitment to his truth and an easier recollection of the words on which I meditated.
And all of this means less doubt. The Apostle Paul says in Romans 10: 17. So, faith comes from hearing and hearing through the word of Christ.
Our faith, Paul says, is built up by taking in, by ingesting the words of Jesus Christ. He says, faith comes by hearing. And of course, he wrote this in an era when many people couldn’t read and there weren’t mass printed bibles. So hearing spoken scripture, hearing recalled memories of the things Jesus said was the primary way people received truth.
We now have more options. We have audio recordings of the Bible, we have dramatized versions. And of course for many of us, we have the printed word of God, including in mobile Bible apps, so we can read for ourselves anytime, anywhere.
All of this means that we have everything we need to build our faith. For most of us, it’s right here in the palm of our hands. Faith comes by hearing or by reading the word of our Lord.
Faith and doubt aren’t opposites. So building your faith doesn’t counteract doubt in the way you might imagine. Doubt normally isn’t the opposite of faith. It’s the evidence of faith. You can’t doubt something until you are invited to believe it in the first place.
But still, as our faith grows, this prepares us to give a reason for our hope. The apostle Peter says in one Peter three 15: But in your hearts honour Christ, the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you. Yet do it with gentleness and respect.
If we’re questioned, if we’re grilled about our faith, our knowledge of God’s word gives us the defence we need. It is a defence against doubt.
“Is God really with you?” Yes, he is. We know this from Matthew 28: 20 where Jesus says, “And behold, I am with you always to the end of the age.”
Can you really be sure of your salvation?” Yes, we can. Jesus said this in John 5: 24. “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.”
When we meditate on these verses, we arm ourselves against attack and against doubt. Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of Christ and through meditation on his word as our faith is built, we can overcome doubt.
Is there anything else we can do?
Let’s look at some stern words from James, and if these words bother you, hang on a bit longer. We have some soothing balm coming soon.
James four verse eight says: Draw near to God and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
Okay. James is a bit on our case here. He takes no prisoners. But he also as a loving shepherd, equips us. Draw near to God, he says, and he will draw near to you.
One of the surest ways of casting out all doubt is to feel the presence of God, to be aware of the work of the Holy Spirit inside you. The closer we get to God, the more likely it is, we’ll sense his presence.
This comes to us in all sorts of ways. We feel him as we become more attuned to his holiness and his acceptance of us, despite our natural unworthiness. We feel him as we stop in nature conscious that he, God Almighty, created all that is good. We see his handiwork. We get a glimpse of his beauty and majesty as we see that reflected in creation.
Do you want to understand the artist? Look at his art.
We draw near God as we pray and read His word and meditate. We hear his response. Not necessarily as audible words, but as a stirring in our spirit, as our thoughts are guided, as our character is shaped far beyond our own ability to improve ourselves.
Faith comes by hearing the word of God. God draws near to us as we draw near to him. And this faith and God’s nearness together overcome doubt.
But still we experience doubt. And I promised you some balm didn’t I? Please believe that there’s no condemnation for doubt. Instead, we have this kindly wonderful direction from Jude to all Christians.
In Jude verse 22, he says: And have mercy on those who doubt.
Doubt’s a common experience for all Christians. We are not to judge each other or ourselves. Rather, we extend mercy. We help one another.
When one brother or sister is feeling low on faith and full of doubt, another prays for the first and brings encouragement. As Christians, we really need to spend time in fellowship together.
Fellowship means opening ourselves to one another, being kind to one another. Talking about the things of God to each other. Sharing life, being hospitable, lifting each other up. Not judging, but rather being merciful. Treating each other better than we deserve. Because we have all fallen and none is worthy, and yet all receive grace from God.
And so doubt is overcome, not just by meditating, increasing faith and by God’s presence, but also by the mutual love and support of one another. We’re in this together. I’m with you and you are with me. Even though we don’t know each other well, we have a connection through our mutual adoption into the family of God.
As the writer of Hebrews says in Hebrews 10 verses 24 to 25: And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another and all the more as you see the day drawing near.
My friends. Let’s meditate on his word. Let’s draw near to God. Let’s practice mercy and fellowship and together we will overcome doubt.
May our Lord continue to bless and encourage you as you walk with him.
