Scripture

Isaiah 26:8-9a NLT

LORD, we show our trust in you by obeying your laws; our heart’s desire is to glorify your name. All night long I search for you; in the morning I earnestly seek for God.

Consider

Who but Jesus has perfect faith? The Old Testament heroes of faith listed in Hebrews 11 are remembered for their examples of trusting God through difficult times. But did they ever doubt their faith in God? Like the desperate father who begged Jesus to release his demon-possessed son, did they ever cry out, “I do believe, but help me overcome my unbelief”?

Do you ever want to cry out the same?

Faithfulness does not require having perfect faith. Just as the courageous move forward under fire despite their fear, the faithful choose to live in accordance with their understanding of God despite their doubts. The desperate father admitted to having holes in his faith, yet the faith he did have compelled him to seek Jesus. Like this father, we have a choice whether to let our doubts bind us or to let the faith we do have free us to seek and expect to find God.

God who became Incarnate knows we have doubts. His gift of the Holy Spirit helps us to move forward under fire when our doubts would hold us back. Take, for example, the three proofs of faith listed in the passage from Isaiah quoted above:

3 Proofs of Faith

• I obey God’s laws.
• I desire to glorify God.
• I never stop looking for God.

It’s true, we don’t obey God perfectly. We don’t always glorify God without seeking some glory for ourselves, nor do we acknowledge God’s presence and will in every circumstance. Yet when we try to act in ways contrary to these three proofs, the Holy Spirit sets up resistance within us. Ask yourself what happens when you think about flaunting your disobedience in God’s face and indulging your sin nature. How do you react when you hear God’s name mocked and cursed? What goes through your mind when others say there is no God and you are foolish to seek Him?

As believers, we have God’s truth in us. It’s the Spirit’s job to remind us what we already know and to encourage us to continue in God’s ways. When doubts crowd into your mind, look for your deep faith and lean into the Spirit, who helps us in our weakness and never stops praying to the Father on our behalf.

Pray

Lord, I confess that my faith, although earnest, has holes in it. Help me to stand firm on the deep faith you have already entrusted to me. Challenge my doubts and confusion with the reassurance of your Spirit’s self-affirming presence. Thank you for the divine aid you send to help me walk in ways that keep me spiritually safe and close to you.

Reflect

Mark 9:24; Romans 8:26-27

Ponder

What doubts or unanswered questions rattle my faith? How can the Spirit help me at such times?