She opened not the gate for joy, but run in, and told that Peter stood before the gate. And they said unto her, Thou art mad.

Acts 12:14

Numbers of people have come to me and told of their fears and misgivings even while they have sought to trust the Lord. They have made their requests, they have laid hold of the promises of God, and yet doubts continually arise unbidden. I love to recall that when Peter came back from prison and knocked at the door where the church was at prayer, the believers exclaimed, “It is his angel.” There are people today who claim to have greater faith than these gathered in Mary’s house. They are certain God will send an angel, and every door in the prison will swing open before him. If a gust of wind blows: “There’s Peter again!” These people are too credulous, too cocksure. Their faith is not necessarily the genuine article. For even the most devoted Christian, while exercising a faith which must surely bring an answer from God, knows what it is to have lurking just around the corner the question whether perhaps he might be mistaken.

Watchman Nee

As you read the stories of those listed in Hebrews 11, the Hall of Faith, you discover something that is often overlooked. These individuals, although they are given as examples of people of faith, had their moments of faith, fear, doubts, and misgivings.

Abraham, known as the “father of faith” missed the mark several times. We know that by faith he left his home and began a journey with Sarah, but along the way there were times when that faith gave way to fear. Twice we read that he gave Sarah away to kings, only claimed her as his sister, for fear overwhelmed his faith. Out of fear for his life, he capitulated and on both occasions, God had to intervene because of His promises. Once as the promise of God to give him a son was delayed, he chose to take matters into his own hands as doubt convinced him that if he didn’t do something soon it would be too late. We read that he had a son with Hagar, Sarah’s handmaiden and again God had to remind him that this wasn’t the son of faith. As he continued to wait, there were times when his misgivings moved him to ask God how he could know that he could believe the promises and so God had to speak to him in a vision to confirm the promise. Nothing is written about what he must have felt as he and Isaac journeyed to the mountain of sacrifice, but I have no doubt that faith and feelings were wrestling for control. On that occasion we read that faith overcame and Abraham laid Isaac on the altar.

I hope you are beginning to see that the journey of faith isn’t a smooth highway like an autobahn. Instead it is often filled with potholes of fear and doubt, missing signage filled with misgivings. Sometimes the fog of uncertainty clouds the way and often the floods of uncertainty force a detour. In those moments, we, like Abraham, must learn to rely on the faithfulness of God. In Abraham’s story, we find that it was often God who brought him through the moment of struggle. Remember it was God who spoke to the kings about Sarah. It was God who appeared and reaffirmed His promise when Abraham’s anxiety was at its peak. It was God who provided the ram for the sacrifice instead of Isaac. And it will be God who ultimately brings us through. Paul, in his letter to the Corinthians, reminds us that even when we are being tempted, by His faithfulness, God will not let the pressure of temptation overcome us. It’s not that we have strength to resist. It’s that God loans us His strength to resist. Paul says that “in our weakness, His(God’s) strength is made complete.”

Elijah, the great prophet with whom seven major miracles are attributed, including fire coming down from heaven and consuming the sacrifice and rain being withheld for three and a half years, winds up in a cave in total despair. Although he has won a great victory and I’m sure everyone was marveling at the fire from heaven and when the rain began, Elijah was hiding in a cave, fearing for his life. In the midst of his victory the king’s wife has put out the word that Elijah is on her hit list and he forgets in that moment the fire and the rain. His words reflect defeat, discouragement, and depression. He says, “I’m the only prophet left in Israel and I guess I’m about to be exterminated.” Gone are the words of faith that spoke to the sky to bring forth rain. But God intervenes and calls to Elijah in the cave. God tells him that he is not alone, that there are 7000 other faithful prophets. And God gives him his next assignment.

What can we learn about faith from these stories? First of all, faith comes from God and we are recipients rather than creators of faith. Second the promises of God hinge on the faithfulness of God rather than our faithfulness. Third of all, every believer experiences seasons of faith, doubt, questions, and misgivings and often are experiencing them all at the same time. Fourth of all, like Elijah, we can know that when all hope is lost as far as we are concerned, God still intervenes and even if we find ourselves swallowed up in the cave of despair, God seeks us out and reaffirms that we are His. Often we are given a new assignment.

Today, rather than focusing on whether your faith is sufficient, try instead to intensify your relationship with God. Whether you’re on the mountaintop of victory and success or in the dark valley of failure and despair, God remains faithful. He never changes in His love toward us and He doesn’t categorize us on some list of achievers and underachievers. He never compares His children with each other. Instead He walks their unique journey with them that perhaps no one else walks. Faith isn’t always knowing the outcome but trusting in the love and care of God Himself.

Keep walking!

Dr. John Thompson