One Word
This winter on The Daily Pattern we’re in a series called One Word. Each day we take one word – a feeling or circumstance – and bring a word from God to it. Let the Word of God speak to your life.
Invocation
Make the sign of the cross, and say,
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Invitation Prayer
“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.” (Matt. 5:5) O Lord, I am lowly and humble. You alone are my inheritance. Amen.
Word: Mark 9:24
“Lord, I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief.”
Meditation
Doubt by Paul Cloeter
Thomas! That’s probably the first name that comes to mind when you hear the word doubt. Thomas will be forever remembered as the disciple of Jesus who doubted. Absent that Easter evening when Jesus first appeared to the disciples behind locked doors, Thomas later required visible proof before he would believe that Jesus was alive. The next Sunday he got what he asked for from his physically present Lord, along with the reprimand, “Stop doubting and believe” (John 20:27).
Truth is, none of the other disciples did any better when it came to believing. Nobody today is called a “Doubting Peter,” even though Jesus, after saving this bold, walking-on-water-and-now-fast-sinking disciple, scolded big shot Peter, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” (Matthew 14:31). And Luke records that when resurrected Jesus appeared that first Sunday night (sans Thomas), he said, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds?” (Luke 24:38). And they were all looking right at him!
Truth is, as a modern day disciple of Jesus, I don’t do any better when it comes to conquering doubt. With what I know about physics and the distribution of weight and its flotation on the surface of water, I’m more than doubtful that I’d be able to walk on water, even having a clear command from Jesus! And I’ve stood before enough caskets and seen what death can do to a human body to cause me at times to wonder if it’s really true that “the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body” (Philippians 3:21).
Truth is, my heart (especially on Easter Sunday) tells me one thing, but my mind—continually influenced by devil, world, and flesh—is nudging me toward doubt. What am I to believe when prevailing scientific pronouncements contradict what I know and believe from God’s Word? What else makes sense when bad things happen indiscriminately and when prayers are met with silence? At least doubt is better than flat out unbelief, right?
Truth is, in this life, the certainty of faith will always be a process. It’s a journey, not the destination; a walking along through the ups and downs and the occasional crises of faith (doubts) that result, confident of one thing: that Jesus walks with me, and at times, carries me. Fuel for the journey is the presence of Jesus. And the proof is the same that was given to Thomas, Peter, and the others: the physical ‘touch’ of Jesus’ body and blood in bread and wine, and “the opening of their minds so they could understand the Scriptures” (Luke 24:40-45).
Truth is, I am comforted in knowing that doubt is not an unforgivable sin. I share in the struggle of faith with the disciples of Jesus of all times and places. Even when faith is small, doubt-filled, and low on fuel, I know the Lord hears and answers my prayer; the prayer of the father who sought from Jesus healing for his son; the prayer we now share together: “Lord, I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief.” (Mark 9:24) Amen.
Prayer for Family
· For my immediate family (parents, spouse, siblings).
· For extended family (cousins, aunts and uncles, grandparents)
· For close friends that are as family to me.
· For those who don’t have families, or whose families are broken.
· For forgiveness and reconciliation where there is division in my family.
· For provision where there is need in my family.
· For God to be the foundation, and the cross the center of my family.
· For a generation yet unborn, future members of our family.
Closing Prayer
O Lord and King, your Kingdom comes even without our prayer. But we pray that it would also come among us. We are desperate for your reign and rule, for all we see is rebellion. Come into my heart, my home, my family, my work, my church, my community. Rule with justice and with mercy. Come, Lord Jesus. Amen.