Dealing with doubt (2)

Doubt dealt with by holding on to God’s truth

Gaining assurance from God’s word

Ps 119:147; 1 Jn 5:13

See also Ro 15:4; 2 Pe 1:19; Jn 20:31; Ps 119:116

Receiving correction and understanding through God’s word

2 Timothy 3:14–17 NASB 2020

You, however, continue in the things you have learned and become convinced of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is inspired by God and beneficial for teaching, for rebuke, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man or woman of God may be fully capable, equipped for every good work.

See also Ps 119:130; Pr 6:23; 1 Co 10:11

Avoiding idle speculation

Eph 4:14; 1 Ti 6:20–21; 2 Ti 2:16; 2 Ti 2:23; Tt 3:9

Doubt dealt with by meditating on God’s works

Remembering God’s past deeds

Psalm 77:10–20 NASB 2020

Then I said, “It is my grief, That the right hand of the Most High has changed.” I shall remember the deeds of the Lord; I will certainly remember Your wonders of old. I will meditate on all Your work, And on Your deeds with thanksgiving. Your way, God, is holy; What god is great like our God? You are the God who works wonders; You have made known Your strength among the peoples. By Your power You have redeemed Your people, The sons of Jacob and Joseph. Selah The waters saw You, God; The waters saw You, they were in anguish; The ocean depths also trembled. The clouds poured out water; The skies sounded out; Your arrows flashed here and there. The sound of Your thunder was in the whirlwind; The lightning lit up the world; The earth trembled and shook. Your way was in the sea And Your paths in the mighty waters, And Your footprints were not known. You led Your people like a flock By the hand of Moses and Aaron.

See also Dt 7:17–19; Ps 143:5; Ps 22:4–5; Mt 16:9–10; 1 Ch 16:8–12; Ps 74:12–17; Is 46:9

Commemorating God’s deeds

Ex 12:14 Religious festivals such as Passover provided a permanent reminder of God’s past goodness to his people.

See also Dt 16:1; Lk 22:19; 1 Co 11:24–25

Reflecting on divine power

Mt 11:4–6; Jn 10:38; Jn 14:11

Doubt dealt with by trusting

Trusting in God’s unfailing love

Psalm 6:2–4 NASB 2020

Be gracious to me, Lord, for I am frail; Heal me, Lord, for my bones are horrified. And my soul is greatly horrified; But You, Lord—how long? Return, Lord, rescue my soul; Save me because of Your mercy.

See also Is 49:15–16; Is 54:10; Ps 42:8; Je 31:3–4

Trusting in God’s presence

Genesis 28:15 NASB 2020

Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land; for I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.”

See also Dt 20:1; Ps 42:11; Ex 3:12; 2 Ch 20:15–17; Ps 73:23–26

Trusting in God’s strength

Isaiah 41:10 NASB 2020

‘Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, I will also help you, I will also uphold you with My righteous right hand.’

See also Is 43:2; 1 Ki 19:6–8; Is 40:28–31

Remembering God’s concern for the weak

God’s compassion for the weak

Ezekiel 34:16 NASB 2020

“I will seek the lost, bring back the scattered, bind up the broken, and strengthen the sick; but the fat and the strong I will eliminate. I will feed them with judgment.

See also Is 42:3

God’s grace to those with doubts

Ex 5:22–6:1 God responds to Moses’ uncertainty by promising a demonstration of his power.

See also Jn 20:27; Jdg 6:39–40; Nu 11:21–23

Pastoral concern for those who doubt

Being patient with doubters

Jude 22 NASB 2020

And have mercy on some, who are doubting;

See also Ro 14:1–4; Ro 15:1; Ro 14:15–17

Encouraging those with doubts

Jdg 20:22; Job 4:3–4

See also Is 40:1; Heb 12:12; Is 35:3–4; 2 Ch 32:6–8; 1 Th 3:2; Heb 10:23–25