Week of September 22

We all have doubts! These questions come in all shapes and sizes. At the end of the day, however, if we are not careful, it causes us to live defeated lives. “Doubt discovers difficulties which it never solves; it creates hesitancy, despondency, despair. Its progress is the decay of comfort, the death of peace. Believe! is the word which speaks life into a man, but doubt nails down his coffin” (Charles Spurgeon).

Learning to live beyond our doubts is a key to spiritual victory. In contrast to disbelief, we live rightly when we trust that God’s redemptive purposes will be fulfilled. This outlook gives us confidence that each step taken in faith will lead to kingdom success. Let’s learn today how to be rid of doubt that leads to defeat.

The background to Luke’s Gospel account was “confirm the message of God’s promise and salvation through Jesus” (HCBC). We will also notice that a major feature in the book is the portrait of God as the One who both designs and shows concern. We find in our focal passage that God had a plan for salvation that showed He was fulfilling His promises to save (cf. 1:14-17, 31-35; 2:9-14). John the Baptist was the bridge in God’s plan between the Old and the New Covenant (3:1-19; 7:18-35). Nothing that happens to Jesus takes God by surprise. Therefore, as God’s children, we may believe the same about our lives as we walk in faith (HCBC).

Never doubt God’s readiness to deliver His people. The scene in our focal passage was a climactic moment in prophetic fulfillment. Zechariah, the priest, had heard a word from the Lord. It indicated that the great prophet, who would prepare the way for the long-awaited Messiah, was within the womb of Elizabeth, Zechariah’s wife. Elizabeth was barren, however, and well beyond child-bearing age (1:7, 13). We learn here that it is never too late, but right on time, when God is involved! The angelic visitation and announcement were packed with meaning. The child was to be named “John,” which means “Yahweh has been gracious.” This occurrence was totally unexpected, despite the prayers of this righteous priest. Good! Too many prophets, priests, and even kings (presidents) claim responsibility for that which only God can do. God would receive full credit for this birth. There is more.

Usual patterns, or carefully constructed schemes, are not a guaranteed pathway to success. God is the pattern, and we do well to trust fully His word. This declaration followed a similar pattern as evident in Old Testament birth announcements. There was the appearance of an angel (1:11), fear on the part of the recipient (1:12), reassurance given (1:13a), the divine message (1:13b-7), objection and request for a sign (1:18), and the giving of a sign of assurance (1:19-20). Zechariah followed the pattern, but the result was not the same! Gabriel, one of only three angels named in the Old Testament (see Daniel 8:16; 9:21 ff.), stood in God’s presence, which meant that this message was divinely authoritative. 

Good doubt will spur us to look for the light. We would say that it was “guaranteed.” Nevertheless, Zechariah’s shaky faith brought a firm response from the angel. Elizabeth was indeed going to give birth to the messianic forerunner, and Zechariah would receive one other sign as a rebuke for his lack of faith—muteness until the child was born. Henry Drummond has said, “Christ never failed to distinguish between doubt and unbelief. Doubt is can’t believe. Unbelief is won’t believe. Doubt is honesty. Unbelief is obstinacy. Doubt is looking for light. Unbelief is content with darkness.” So, what do I suggest that we do when we doubt God and His word? Look for God beyond the horizon of our doubt! This perspective will give us time to watch His power at work in our lives.

Did you catch the news in recent weeks of the Boeing Starliner pair of astronauts who are stuck in space without a space craft safe enough to return them to earth? I will admit that I have had doubts about their safe return home. My misgivings about space travel cause me to recall President Kennedy’s speech at Rice University in 1962, when he challenged America to put a man on the moon. There were doubters indeed, but the goal was accomplished in 1969 with the Apollo 11 mission. Kennedy won the support of the American people because he appealed to our pioneering spirit. He reached into a certain past to stretch forward into an uncertain future. 

Our text provides us with a different perspective. “Doubting does not prove that a man has no faith, but only that his faith is small. And even when our faith is small, the Lord is ready to help us” (J. C. Ryle). Stated another way, I am wondering if we, like Zechariah, have been affected by a “timid spiritual imagination,” due to our lack of trust in God’s word and way. The church will experience success when God reveals it. The problem with an anemic Christian mission today is that we doubt God’s word that nothing will stop the Kingdom’s advance.

1. Be honest with yourself. What doubt(s) has left you in a dark night of the soul? Write it down and give it to the Lord. Write down specific ways that you will show your trust in God and His way.

2. For Families: Has your family made a study of God’s promises lately? Here is a website that lists more than fifty of God’s promises in Scripture. A good way to remind us of His faithfulness is to read one promise each day or week, and look for ways that God fulfills His promises.

Your kids might like the role of “Kingdom Sleuths” whose job is to remember God’s promises, keep them at the front of their minds, look for God’s activity, and report on their day at suppertime or before bed each night. If your kids ever express doubt, let other family members chime in to share how they have seen God at work and keeping His promises.

May your paths be straight,
Larry C. Ashlock