This is a scripture passage that many use in discipling new believers. The New International Version of the Bible footnotes this verse with the reminder that in the Greek language the word “temptation” or “tempted” can also mean “trial” or “testing.” It is a characteristic of the human condition that we often have doubts about God and we feel badly about them. But the story of Job in the Old Testament reveals that we should value our doubts because they bring God close.
Co-worker Ron Boyd-MacMillan tells the story of a missionary to Tibet at the time of the Communist takeover in China. He was imprisoned on the charge of being a counter-revolutionary. Every day for three years he thought he was going to be executed—a strain that ultimately broke him.
Daily he was taken outside and made to kneel down. They put a hood over his head and stated they were going to execute him. Then when he thought he was a goner, they pulled off the hood and laughed at his fear.
He was deprived of sleep and light; often placed in cells with hundreds of screaming people; demanded to renounce his Christian faith—all tactics of psychological torture. He said, “All I had were doubts: whether God was with me; whether God still loved me; even if was truly a Christian since I was so broken…I was raised never to question God and that doubt was a sin.”
One day wanting to die, he finally prayed and said, “Lord, I have to talk about my doubts to you. I’m sorry it’s all I have to talk about. But I just want to be in touch with you again.”
That night he felt a warm breath in the dungeon, a comforting sweet breath. And he said, “I learned that nothing must keep me from talking to God. I knew from that breath that He even wants to know about my doubts.
Then he was taken to another cell which had a window and he saw the beauty of a colorful sunset. He wept. It was a picture God had drawn in majestic colors with the black ring of mountains in the distance looking like a crown of thorns. He commented, “The colorful sunset told me Jesus is still in charge…
The world may be full of human suffering but it is more full of God’s beauty and grace. That got me through. I took my doubts to God and realized His beauty. The next time they took me to a mock execution I knelt and thanked God for the sunset I had seen. My sunset from my God! And when they took off the hood they saw no more fear—only a man at peace ready to die and meet his God.
RESPONSE: Today I will talk to God even about my doubts, trusting Him to help me sense His loving presence.
PRAYER: Thank You God that we can value doubt and we can value mystery assured that You still love us and care for us.
Standing Strong Through The Storm (SSTS)
A daily devotional message by SSTS author Paul Estabrooks
“As they sailed, he fell asleep. A squall came down on the lake, so that the boat was being swamped, and they were in great danger. The disciples went and woke him, saying, ‘Master, Master, we’re going to drown!’ He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm. ‘Where is your faith?’ he asked his disciples.” (Luke 8:23-25)
We often read of Jesus calming the storm with an emphasis on what we presume to be the disciples’ small faith or lack of faith. But recently while recalling the story, I placed the emphasis on Jesus’ first word in the question: “Where is your faith?”
The disciples were accomplished fishermen. Although storms frequently exploded on the lake, their experience could easily have given them the confidence that sailing safely to the other side was a “no brainer.” Maybe they were counting on the simple presence of Jesus to keep them safe. Was it possible that in their haste to leave they simply didn’t carefully and correctly raise the sails? What had they placed their faith in?
If Jesus asked us, “Where is your faith?” how would we answer? Do we depend on past experience to navigate difficulties? Perhaps we simply assume that because Jesus is “in the boat” with us, all will be well. Have we neglected to develop the disciplines of solitude, silence, deep study of the Word of God and honest prayer that help us more intimately know God and thus more quickly trust Him?
Storms will come. Perhaps it is before the storms that we should inventory not just how great is our faith but where it is placed.
Father in Heaven, Teach me the discipline of drawing near to You so that I’ll be ready when the storms come. I want my faith to be in You, not in my own experience, my resources or my connections. When my boat is shaken may I run to You first and foremost and not try to calm the seas on my own. Amen
Question: Do you find it easy to go to God when storms are raging in your life? Why or why not?
Marilyn Ehle
Marilyn Ehle grew up in Michigan, but for over 40 years has lived in several other U.S. states, as well as in Canada and Germany. During these years Marilyn has been involved in Christian and community activities, including the teaching of time management, priority planning, cross cultural adjustment, and other biblically-centered seminars. Now residing in Colorado, Marilyn continues to teach, speak to women’s groups, and write for several web sites.
Marilyn Ehle grew up in Michigan, but for over 40 years has lived in several other U.S. states, as well as in Canada and Germany. During these years Marilyn has been involved in Christian and community activities, including the teaching of time management, priority planning, cross cultural adjustment, and other biblically-centered seminars. Now residing in Colorado, Marilyn continues to teach, speak to women’s groups, and write for several web sites.
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