Be merciful to those who doubt…. (Jude 1:22, NIV)
It’s hard to imagine now, but in 2022 Scottie Scheffler had a bout of doubt the day he won The Masters. He told his wife that morning, “I don’t think I’m ready for this.” This is from a guy who was at the top of his game and ranked #1 in the world!
If the best in the world experience doubt, it must affect all of us at some point. This begs the question. Do you experience doubt in your faith walk?
If the answer is yes, rest assured you’re in good company. “Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him, but some doubted” (Matthew 28:16-17). Take comfort knowing that some of Jesus’ disciples doubted, and he was standing right in front of them, albeit in a resurrected, immortal body!
Do you remember the story where Jesus challenged a crowd that wanted to stone an adulterous woman? He said, “Let any of you without sin be the first to throw a stone.” The crowd dissipated.
If we issued the same challenge today, replacing the word ‘sin’ with ‘doubt,’ the disappearing act of any gathering would probably be similar.
For some, only seeing or touching will remove the uncertainty. And therein lies the mystery. Faith is not a physical object you can hold in your hands or see with your eyes.
So, what is it, then? As defined by the writer of Hebrews, “faith is the assurance of things hoped for; the conviction of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1).
As Paul noted in his letter to the residents of Corinth, “For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known” (1 Corinthians 13:12). In other words, before his return, we must walk by faith; after that, we will see him “face to face.”
Today’s verse instructs us to be merciful to those wrestling with doubt. We should be reminded that this includes ourselves.
I can relate to the man who said to Jesus, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief” (Mark 9:24). Besides studying scripture; I try to attend as many Links Fellowships as possible. One never knows when a door to understanding will be opened through the words of another.
James reveals another reliable source, “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind” (James 1:5-6).
Wouldn’t it be awesome to receive the gift of wisdom directly from the author of it? There is no doubt.
Prayer: Lord, help our unbelief and let us be merciful to those who doubt, including ourselves.