Do you ever doubt? I cannot count the number times I have doubted God. But Jesus asks us to “stop doubting and believe.” To move passed our doubt, into belief. What would it take to do just that?
Last week, we looked at Thomas and discovered when in situations beyond our control, if we ask, God will show up! Thomas wanted to see Jesus just like the others had. So, he asked for it, in order to believe. Sometimes, we just have to see it to believe it. But this week, Jesus is going to teach us how important it is to stop doubting.
There is a story, in Mark, where Jesus shows the disciples the power of belief. But first, we need to see the difference in doubt and belief.
The definition of doubt is a feeling of uncertainty. The verb definition is to fear or to be afraid.
Doubt is nothing more than fear itself.
The definition of belief is;
-
an acceptance that a statement is true or that something exists.2. trust, faith, or confidence in someone or something.
Belief is the opposite of doubt.
Mark 11:20-24 reads;
“In the morning, as they went along, they saw the fig tree withered from the roots. 21 Peter remembered and said to Jesus, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree you cursed has withered!”
22 “Have faith in God,” Jesus answered. 23 “Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them. 24 Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.”
Belief is trust or faith in someone or something. In this story, Jesus is teaching us to trust God. He models the kind of relationship we are to have with God. And he does so with his words and his actions.
Apparently, the day before, Jesus had cursed that fig tree in front of them. The very next day, it was dead. Peter noticed it. And Jesus’ responded, “Have faith in God.” Jesus might as well be talking to us today. We are to have this same faith in God too.
In Matthew 21-21-22, Jesus says it this way, “Truly I tell you, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and it will be done. 22 If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.”
There should be no greater comfort than to know this, “if you have faith and do not doubt, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.”
I have to wonder if Thomas was with them that day, listening, seeing, learning. Doubt is our human nature, but the cure is our belief in God. We learn how to how to trust God through our personal relationship with Jesus.
Reflect on your life. Recount the times God has come through for you. Remember all the miracles you have experienced. All these things, both in your life and written throughout the scriptures, are so that you might stop doubting and believe!
“Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
Let us pray,
God of all that is, forgive us for doubting You. Help us to believe whether we see it or not. Teach us to stop doubting and believe. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
P.S. Consider starting a written prayer journal. List your concerns with dates so that you can go back and remember all God has done for you. Leave me a comment below because I do love hearing from you. Forward this message to a friend and post it on Facebook. Tag me in it! Until next time, remember, if you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer. -M
