Hope that Silences Doubt
Belief in God does not exempt us from feelings of abandonment by God. Praising God does not inoculate us from doubts about God. Eugene Peterson
The day after Jesus’ death on the cruel cross of Calvary, it seemed as if everything fell silent. The agony, the pain that Jesus experienced at His crucifixion, was it all for nothing? I can imagine that the disciples doubted Jesus’ words to them about His death and resurrection. They couldn’t fathom that their rabbi, with whom they had spent the past three years, would not only be condemned to death, but rise again on the third day.
From that time Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised. Matthew 16:21
I can imagine them whispering to one another in their deep grief and sorrow: “Why? Why has He left us alone?” I can imagine a tense silence hanging in the air. A silence that hankered for the fulfilment of the words He had spoken, but at the same time doubting whether His promise would be fulfilled. How will He rise again? They had seen Him raise Lazarus from the dead. But will he raise Himself from death? He couldn’t save Himself from the cruel death on the cross. So, how will He be resurrected? The doubt and the silence were real. They couldn’t see past this day to the day of the breakthrough when Jesus would indeed rise again. Their doubts and the silence clouded their memory. They forgot about the many prophecies the prophets had foretold hundreds of years ago. The prophecies that not only foretold His death (Isaiah 53:3), but also that He would conquer death (Isaiah 25:7–8).
Silence Does Not Have the Last Word
Just like the disciples, we have had times in our lives when God seemed silent, when we’ve doubted that He would rescue us. This may have left us feeling hopeless and alone. Our doubt and hopelessness often come about when we become so focused on what’s happening in our lives – the challenges, the struggles, the pain and hardship that we forget the promises He has given us in His Word, as well as His personal promises to us. The promises in His word say He will never leave us alone (Deuteronomy 31:6). It says that He is faithful and will fulfil His promises (Hebrews 10:23). It says we can have a confident hope in Him (Romans 15:13)
God’s promises are worth waiting for. His promises will come to fruition because just as Jesus’ death and resurrection glorified His Father (John 17:1-5), the fulfilment of His promises will glorify Him in and through our lives.
The thing that I remember most from all these years is that our God answers prayers. We did all of this for only one reason– to glorify Christ, to present the person of the Lord Jesus Christ to people who needed Him. Billy Graham
Reflection
Are you going through challenges that are causing you to doubt and lose hope? Do you feel that God is silent? Remember, God is more than able to fulfil His promises to us. This is what the Word says, and His Word is true.
Prayer
Dear heavenly Father, thank You that You were true to Your Word when You came to save us through the death of Jesus on the cross and His resurrection. Lord, I give You my doubts and hopelessness concerning my situation. Help me, Lord, to trust You and have the confident hope that You will fulfil Your promises to me. Thank You, Lord, that You will never leave me nor forsake me. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.
