Grace for Doubting Believers

Reading this morning from the Scriptures in Genesis 15, I found it a little odd that Abraham (Abram at the time) immediately believed God when He promised him a male heir, a son of his very own...and yet, Abraham did not immediately believe God when He promised him the land that his descendents would inherit. And we know that he didn’t because he asks the Lord, “O Sovereign Lord, how can I be sure that I will actually possess it?” (Gen.15:8). In vs.6, the Bible tells us that, “And Abram believed the Lord, and the Lord counted him as righteous because of his faith.” But then he turns right around and doesn’t simply take God at His word about the land. Very curious.
Yet, God is so kind and gracious, rather than rebuking Abraham for his unbelief, God instructs him to bring the elements to him so that He can make (lit. cut) a covenant with Abraham. God graciously stoops to Abraham’s unbelief and gives him a formal sign, a ceremony that assures Abraham of the unconditional promise about the land. Besides from being good, loving, and gracious, why would God do this? Why didn’t the Lord simply give Abraham His word and let it be it? Why did He lower Himself to Abraham like this?

I believe there are a couple of reasons, one being to satisfy Abraham’s doubts… although I still admit to not understanding how or why Abraham believed God about the son, but didn’t about the land, unless of course the “land promise” was a much bigger “promise” and therefore Abraham doubted God’s ability to fulfill. Though I must admit, even to me this seems unlikely. And yet the question remains.

Another reason I believe God allowed this and even graciously went through this ceremony was not merely for Abraham’s sake, but for all of his descendents… for the nation of Israel that was to come. Israel would endure much suffering and heartache, not only what God revealed to Abraham concerning their stay in Egypt, but even later at the hands of the Babylonians. What would be more encouraging to later Hebrews than to look back on the promise that God made with Abraham? Future generations would be continuously told about how the Lord Himself appeared to their Father Abraham and literally made a covenant with him to give his descendents the land. Therefore they would not give up or lose hope. They would continuously look to the Lord their God to fulfill His promises.

I believe it is also a great encouragement to even us today, as New Testament believers, as we think about all the promises that God has made to us, especially those concerning salvation through His blessed Son, Jesus. God made an unconditional covenant with Abraham, He swore by Himself because there was nothing greater for Him to swear by that assured Abraham and his descendents that one day they would indeed inherit the land. Likewise, we too can be assured and confident that the Lord our God who has promised us eternal life through faith in Christ will indeed keep His promise. Thank you, Lord for your graciousness and patience with doubting believers.

Despair: A Subtle Instrument of Evil

Have you ever had one of those “A-ha moments” when before you were clueless as to what was going on, but then all of a sudden, like someone opening the drapes in a dark room to let in the light of day, the veil in your own heart and mind was lifted and you could see what was really going on? Just recently I had one of those moments, and just as clear as the day, the Lord pulled back the veil in my mind and revealed to me a clever and subtle tool of the enemy: Despair; the condition of being without hope.

It doesn’t take very long to survey the culture to realize this is a major problem and one that seemingly many people are overlooking. I believe this probably a major factor in the alarming rate of alcohol and drug abuse in our nation. It is the reason so many people are on anti-depressants. It is the reason people of any age willfully take their own life. It is why married couples call it quits and get a divorce. Why? Because in whatever situation people find themselves, they end up despairing of life, and the saddest part is, they don’t even realize what is going on. They don’t realize they’re sinking in the pool of despair. They believe their seeing life and reality rightly. And the more and more I meditate on this terrible condition, the more I see the evil, crafty hand of Satan in it. So, do we combat it? What is our defense?

First of all, when you stop and think about it, despairing really isn’t logical. Why? Because by definition to despair means to be without hope; in other words, when we despair we’re saying there is no hope for the future that nothing good is going to come. But do you really know that? Do you know precisely what the future will hold? Do you really know what your life will be like in 2, 5, or even 10 years or more? No. The only person who knows that is God. We do not know that. Therefore, to despair is not even logical, simply because we do not know. JRR Tolkien, the famous British scholar and author , wrote in his popular Lord of the Ring series, “Despair is only for those who see the end beyond all doubt. We do not.” This is precisely what Tolkien was saying that despair is not logical because we do not know.

But secondly, despairing is not even Biblical, especially for the born again Christian. Why? Because we are NEVER without hope. For the past 4 weeks on Sunday nights we have been examining one of the greatest promises in Scripture found in Romans 8:28 where Paul writes, “And we know that all things work together for good for those who love God for those who are the called according to His purpose.” In fact, when you stop and read it again, the believer should be forever the optimist. Why? Because Paul says, “And we know that all things work together for good…” So, for the Christian, God promises that EVERYTHING is working out for our good. Therefore, we should never be without hope.

So, dear friends, the next time you find yourself depressed and moping about… the next time you find yourself with a negative outlook on life or the future, … or consumed with worry or doubt… remember the promise of the Scripture. Remember that God is still on the throne and that He is still at work in your life and in your situation.

In Psalm 27, verses 13-14 David touched on this issue of despair when he said, “I would have lost heart, unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.” Unless he had believed, he would have lost heart; i.e. he would have despaired. But he didn’t; he believed, which is why he went to encourage us by saying, “Wait on the Lord; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the Lord!” Friends, don’t become a victim of despair, don’t let Satan defeat you with this subtle instrument of evil. Wait on the Lord and never lose faith that He is still working on your behalf.