E-votional Faith & Doubt
August 8, 2001
Verse:
"But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind."
- Matthew 1:6 (NASB)

http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?James+1:1-12

Thought:
What a challenging passage, asking in faith without any doubting.  The things we tend to trust are those things that we are in control of and when it comes to doubt, well, if we can not influence the matter to the degree we feel necessary, we experience doubt.  Let me introduce another word, though not mentioned in this passage, but inherently present.  Hope.
Hear the Good News, hope is what we are offered and given through Jesus Christ.  Further, let me offer reassurance through Christ, communicated by James, "But if any of you lacks wisdom [or anything for that matter], let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him."  When we face life and the trial that go along with, we will be challenged and pushed.  Life is different than the sitcoms we see on TV.  We watch and hope our problems and issues in life can be solved in 30 minutes to an hour.  Reality and the wisdom that comes with life tells us that 30 minutes to an hour just will not cut it.  The life we live also tells us that we face the different issues of life our Faith in God will only be strengthen and this doubt we have, though present most of the time, enters into our mind less and less, as we grow in wisdom and the wisdom of seeing God's activity in life.  Doubt, I guess it is something that creeps into our mind and our heart as we lose sight of God's presence and allow fear, and even at times selfishness, to take control.

Prayer:
Gracious Father, confirm me, by the grace of the Holy Spirit, that I might seek your wisdom and push aside the selfishness and fear that breeds doubt.  Let me learn to seek you and find you in all things that I might be graced by your wisdom and direction.  Finally, let me begin with You in sight, and give me patience and tolerance that I might end the way I have begun.  Thank you Father, for all You have done and all You will continue to do in my life.  Amen.