Doubt

“When God brings the blank space, see that you do not [try to] fill it, but wait… Never run before God’s guidance. If there is the slightest doubt, then He is not guiding. Whenever there is doubt – don’t… Wait for God’s time to bring it round and He will do it without any heartbreak or disappointment. When it is a question of the providential will of God, wait for God to move.”

Oswald Chambers

Oswald Chambers, My Utmost For His Highest, (2000 edition), Worcester: Oswald Chambers Publications, p.10

Don’t doubt or be discouraged; it’s usually the last key in the bunch that fits the lock.

“Most of us live most of the time in the triple dot punctuation known as an ellipsis. The ellipsis indicates a pause in speech or an unfinished thought (dot, dot, dot). When we are waiting for God to answer a prayer, it’s a period of ellipsis.”

Mark Batterson

Source: Mark Batterson, The Circle Maker, 2011, Michigan: Zondervan, p.91

“Our doubts are traitors, and make us lose the good we oft might win by fearing to attempt.”

William Shakespeare

“God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19). God promises to meet all our needs – not all our wants but all our needs. Many don’t fully realise this: Let me share a story with you…

One day a man was given a special gift – a cruise! He had never been on a cruise before, so he was excited to take his first voyage. The cruise came at no cost to him. The person who gave it to him picked up the entire tab.

Throughout the week on the cruise, one of the crew members noticed that the man frequently ate the free crackers and juice provided on the deck. In fact, he had never seen anyone eat as many crackers as this man did. Curious as to the reason why, the crew member spoke to the man as he was disembarking:

“Sir, how did you enjoy the cruise?”

“It was spectacular,” the man replied, “I have never experienced anything like it before.”

“Very good, sir,” the crew member said, and then he continued. “I noticed that you really liked the crackers and the juice on the deck. I was just wondering – why?”

“Well,” the man replied looking down, “I saw all of the lavish meals that were being offered all week long, but I didn’t have any money. And since the crackers and juice were free, I let them sustain me during the cruise.”

The crew member replied, “Someone didn’t give you all the information. When the price of your ticket was paid, it not only included getting on the boat and going everywhere the boat goes, but also included everything on the boat as well. Your food was covered in the price of the ticket.”

Our faith in Christ and our salvation not only takes us to heaven but also provides us with everything we need for the journey.

God will act on your behalf. He will do what is necessary. He has promised to take care of all your needs (not all your wants; all your needs). Scripture says: “God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19 NIV). Does that include bills? Yes. Does that include relational conflicts? Yes. Does that include your dreams and goals and ambitions? Yes. Does that include the health issues you don’t know what to do with? Yes. God will meet all your needs in Christ.’

[Note: Source: Rick Warren (Hard Questions , day 13 reading plan on YouVersion Bible app.)] God does not ignore those who depend on him.

Source: Tony Evans, Victory In Spiritual Warfare, 2011, Oregon: Harvest House Publishing, p.118-9

Doubt can stop you in your tracks,
It can drain away desire,
Believing, on the other hand,
Can set your world on fire.

When you hold the opinion that
You can reach that special dream,
You have the edge needed to make
Achieving much easier than it may seem.

Believing in your ability
Affects the way you act,
And produces an air of confidence
Which influences how others will react.

When you believe you can achieve
And believe it with all your soul,
You possess a powerful asset
And you’ll most likely reach your goal. (Anon)

Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him. He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.

Jeremiah 17:7-8

Never doubt in the darkness what God has shown you in the light. Insecurity is the devil’s work.

By nature we are creatures who crave security. But in our fallen-ness we look for security that can be seen in bricks and mortar, in other people, or in the bank balance. Impressive though they are, these things can be swept away in a moment: only in God can we find real security.

Explore

Explore Bible notes, 31/8/2003

Wherever God puts a full stop Satan puts a question mark.

So do not worry saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ for the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

Matthew 6:31-33