Replacing Doubt With Trust

Date: Friday, October 31, 2014
Today's Chapters: Luke 23-24
Message Title: Replacing Doubt With Trust

Hello My Friend, 

Of all the years since I have dedicated my life to my Lord, Jesus Christ I have not seen any more trying on my faith than this one. I look at all the directions that I can go, and can honestly say that I do not want to go in any direction than one in which I am led by Christ. I cannot imagine doing some of the things I once did before He took up permanent residence in my life, yet it has been a struggle every day to get up and do what He calls me to do. I admit that one of the reasons why I am struggling this year is because I am dealing with a lot of setbacks, and no matter what I try to do I seem to keep going further back rather than forward. This has got me thinking, as Christians, we have no problem trusting Jesus in saving our soul, but how often do we trust Him completely beyond our salvation? If it seems like you are stuck in a rut, even while Christ is in your life, perhaps it's time to take a look at your heart. Are you trusting Christ or your circumstances? “For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things. Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God. And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.” - 1 John 3:20-22.

Part of trusting Jesus with all of our circumstances is of course, knowing for sure that we are saved. If there are any doubts, perhaps it's time to be reminded of what Jesus did for us in order to save us, and what we are trusting in that saved us. The time had come, Jesus was arrested, and after being tried three times and no fault had been proven to sentence Him to death, Pilate gave into the crowd and gave Him over to be crucified. They arrive at Calvary, where He and two other men were being crucified. They mocked Him, tempted Him, and even placed bets on Him, yet through it all, He asks for their forgiveness. 

“And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left. Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots. And the people stood beholding. And the rulers also with them derided him, saying, He saved others; let him save himself, if he be Christ, the chosen of God. And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us. But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss. And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise. And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost.” - Luke 23:33-35,39-43,46.

Did you ever notice how dedicated people are to their false religions, regardless of what cause they believe in? If you believe in something you are going to fight for it, even if it is completely wrong. These people thought they were doing the right thing because of their religion, and that is why Jesus sought their forgiveness, but that does not excuse them from ending up in hell if they refuse to accept Him as their Saviour. If we want to see God do some amazing things in our lives, perhaps it's time that we have that kind of dedication in our faith in Christ as these people do in their false religions. “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” - Hebrews 11:6.

Sometimes, it's not always doubting God that hinders Him from blessing us through our circumstances, it's that through the circumstances we forget His promises. Jesus promised that while He was going to die, He would also rise three days later. Now, it is the third day, some women came to the tomb to anoint Jesus with the typical spices used for embalming a body. They got the surprise of their lives when His body was not there. “Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them. And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre. And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus. And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments: And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee,” - Luke 24:1-6.

Many times we do forget His promises amidst grief, pain, or sorrow, that's when we need to remember that Jesus is still alive, right there among each and every one of His believers. Even Peter ran to the tomb after being told and could not believe what he saw, he gathered all the disciples, distraught and confused they try to figure out what happened to Jesus body. “Then arose Peter, and ran unto the sepulchre; and stooping down, he beheld the linen clothes laid by themselves, and departed, wondering in himself at that which was come to pass. And it came to pass, that, while they communed together and reasoned, Jesus himself drew near, and went with them. But their eyes were holden that they should not know him. And he said unto them, What manner of communications are these that ye have one to another, as ye walk, and are sad? And the one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answering said unto him, Art thou only a stranger in Jerusalem, and hast not known the things which are come to pass there in these days? And he said unto them, What things? And they said unto him, Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, which was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people: Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken: Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory? And it came to pass, as he sat at meat with them, he took bread, and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them. And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight.” - Luke 24:12,15-19,25,26,30,31.

Pretty sad huh? Jesus is right there with them, but because they were all wrapped up in their emotions they could not see that it was Him. The same thing happens to us when we get wrapped up in our emotions, in fact, it is our emotions that cause us to forget that God is already blessing us through our circumstances. While it was easy for me to sit here and wallow in my sorrows over things I cannot control, it was much harder to see all that God is doing already because I was blinded by those sorrows. God has much to reveal to us, but we must first learn to trust Him, even when we cannot see His blessings. The more we replace our doubts with trust, the more we will see His working in our lives, and eventually even bless us with the things we long for most. “And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.” - 1 John 5:14,15.

Today's Prayer: Father, You know the desires of my heart, and while I know that all things are possible with You, I often let my circumstances blind me from that truth. Lord, increase my trust in You, let me no longer be blinded by the things I do not have to keep me from seeing all that I do have. Give me Your power to overcome all my emotions, the pains, the sorrows, and the obstacles I create in the midst of my circumstances. Give me Your grace to keep going, even when I do not see You, trusting that with You all things are possible. Oh, and please let me not ask You for anything that is not in You will for me, I know that all I will be doing is setting myself up for disappointment in doing so. Keep me in Your Word and will to know what You want for my life, and let me never forget all the Jesus did for me. In Jesus' name, Amen. 

God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina

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