“Truly God is good to Israel, to those whose hearts are pure. But as for me, I almost lost my footing. My feet were slipping, and I was almost gone. For I envied the proud when I saw them prosper despite their wickedness.”
Psalm 73:1-3 (NLT)
Psalm 73 is a Psalm of doubt. The writer is a guy named Asaph. He faces something that everyone of us faces in life, when a situation causes us to ask questions like: Is that fair? Why did that happen? But they say what I believe is not true.
In Psalm 73:1-3, he has been shaken in his faith, he has doubts. Why? He does understand why proud and arrogant people are prospering and doing well. It doesn’t seem right or fair to him. In the rest of the Psalm, the wicked grow increasingly violent and callous “Therefore pride is their necklace; they clothe themselves with violence. From their callous hearts comes iniquity; their evil imaginations have no limits.” Psalm 73:6-7 (NLT). They even claim to have fooled God “‘What does God know?’ they ask. ‘Does the Most High even know what’s happening?’’ Psalm 73:11 (NLT). This all leads to Asaph asking: If God lets moral people suffer, while He tolerates evil, how is He good?
The Psalms are filled with honest, tough questions. We read about someone’s inner struggles, their overwhelming joy, their anguish. The Psalms are raw and real. Don’t miss in Psalm 73 the first assumption:
DOUBT CAN HAPPEN TO ANYBODY
The Psalmist in Psalm 73 doubted and so did one of Jesus’s disciples in the New Testament.
“So the other disciples told him, ‘We have seen the Lord!’ But he said to them, ‘Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.’ A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you!’ Then he said to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.’Thomas said to him, ‘My Lord and my God!’”
John 20:25-28 (NIV)
One of Jesus’ disciples is known for his doubting–Thomas. Thomas doubted that Jesus was resurrected and alive after the crucifixion. The rest of the disciples saw Jesus and believed but Thomas wasn’t with them at that time. The disciples tell Thomas, we saw Jesus, He’s alive from the dead. Thomas—that’s not good enough for me. I want to see the nail marks, His wounds—then I’ll believe. Jesus shows up and shows him what he wants to see. When Thomas gets through his doubts he says this: “My Lord and my God!” John 20:28 (NIV). That statement has been called the greatest of all confessions of faith. It comes from Thomas, the greatest doubter.
The Bible has an extremely balanced view on doubt. The Bible presents a tremendous amount of positives about doubt, yet there can be sin in doubt. Honestly, we don’t like that. Some people say when doubts come: “You shouldn’t doubt. Stop it. Don’t doubt. Where’s your faith? Just believe.” Or else: “We’re just paralyzed by our doubts. There’s nothing I can do about my doubts.” But there is something you can do about your doubts. When Jesus showed up, did He tell Thomas—”Thomas, what a terrible thing that you doubted.” No, what did Jesus do? He shows him the nail prints. If it was wrong to ever doubt, why did Jesus do that? There’s a balance. Doubt is something through which we come to understand the Gospel. Doubt helps us come to see truth, as we wrestle through and then believe.
THREE KINDS OF FAITH WE CAN HAVE WHEN WE DOUBT.
Intellectually believing something is true. I believe it in my head. Do you believe you should save for retirement? Yes. Do you believe you should exercise? Yes. Do you believe you should have a will? Yes. I believe all three of those things. Does any of that change your life? Not unless I save, exercise and draw up a will. There is a big difference between intellectually believing something and believing enough to do something with it.
Being so optimistic that you have no doubts. Someone tells you: You can’t have doubts. God only wants faith in our prayers. So you’ve got to pray believing, picturing the good, driving out any doubts. The problem with that idea is that the Bible is filled with and Psalms specifically are filled with people praying their doubts. Which is the best thing to do with your doubts. Take them to God.
Trusting God enough to do what He says and knowing He knows best even when in doubt. One of the key verses in the New Testament about doubt is this: “Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed,‘I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!’” Mark 9:24 (NIV). A father who’s son was having seizures came to Jesus for help. Jesus tells him to believe. This father is so honest: I believe but help my unbelief. There will be times when you are troubled, confused or worried. It’s OK. But take your doubts to God. Pray your doubts to God.
GOD’S PLAN TO FACE DOUBT
“Yet I still belong to you; you hold my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, leading me to a glorious destiny. Whom have I in heaven but you? I desire you more than anything on earth. My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; he is mine forever.”
Psalms 73:23-26 (NLT)
Remember that God never leaves you, and He will always guide you.
The Psalmist in his doubts remembered God was always guiding, always caring, and always present. In the fathers doubt in Mark 9, he still brought his child to Jesus. Remember God, and then act on your faith, move forward, when you doubt, step forward anyway.
Take a simple step of faith in your doubt and God will show up. Because He never left.
