Topical Bible: The Promises of God: Saints: Sometimes, Through Infirmity, Tempted to Doubt

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The promises of God are a central theme throughout the Bible, offering assurance, hope, and guidance to believers. However, even the most devout saints can find themselves struggling with doubt, especially when faced with infirmities or trials. This entry explores how the saints, despite their faith, sometimes experience doubt due to their circumstances, and how the Scriptures address these moments of weakness.

Biblical Instances of Doubt Among the Saints

1. Abraham and Sarah: Despite God's promise that Abraham would be the father of many nations, both he and Sarah doubted due to their old age and Sarah's barrenness. In Genesis 17:17 , Abraham laughs and questions, "Will a child be born to a man who is a hundred years old? Will Sarah bear a child at the age of ninety?" Yet, God remained faithful to His promise, and Isaac was born, demonstrating that divine promises transcend human limitations.

2. Moses: Called by God to lead the Israelites out of Egypt, Moses doubted his own abilities due to his speech impediment. In Exodus 4:10 , Moses pleads, "O Lord, I am not eloquent... I am slow of speech and tongue." Despite his doubts, God assured Moses of His presence and provided Aaron as a spokesperson, showing that God's promises include provision for our weaknesses.

3. Elijah: After a great victory over the prophets of Baal, Elijah fled in fear from Queen Jezebel and doubted his mission. In 1 Kings 19:4 , he prays, "It is enough, O LORD. Take my life, for I am no better than my fathers." God responded by providing Elijah with rest, nourishment, and a renewed sense of purpose, illustrating that God’s promises include restoration and encouragement.

4. John the Baptist: While imprisoned, John the Baptist sent his disciples to ask Jesus if He was the expected Messiah, indicating doubt. In Matthew 11:3 , they ask, "Are You the One who is to come, or should we look for someone else?" Jesus responded by pointing to His works and fulfilling the prophecies, reaffirming the truth of His mission and the reliability of God's promises.

5. Thomas: Known as "Doubting Thomas," he refused to believe in the resurrection of Jesus without physical proof. In John 20:25 , he declares, "Unless I see the nail marks in His hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe." Jesus graciously appeared to Thomas, offering him the evidence he sought, thus reinforcing the promise of His resurrection and the faithfulness of His word.

Scriptural Encouragement for the Doubting Saint

The Bible provides numerous assurances for those who struggle with doubt due to infirmity or trials. In 2 Corinthians 12:9 , Paul recounts God's words to him: "My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness." This promise highlights that God's strength is made perfect in our weaknesses, encouraging believers to rely on His grace.

James 1:5-6 offers further encouragement: "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given to him. But he must ask in faith, without doubting." This passage underscores the importance of faith and the assurance that God will provide wisdom and guidance to those who seek Him earnestly.

Finally, Hebrews 10:23 exhorts believers to "hold resolutely to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful." This verse serves as a reminder that God's promises are steadfast and reliable, even when circumstances cause us to waver.

In conclusion, while saints may sometimes be tempted to doubt through infirmity or trials, the Bible consistently affirms the faithfulness of God's promises and offers encouragement to persevere in faith.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Psalm 77:8,10
Is his mercy clean gone for ever? does his promise fail for ever more?
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Letter vi. Temptation.
... Scriptures, and from the experience of eminent saints who have ... we must be satisfied
that the promises belong to ... of the heart the mouth speaketh." God hates lip ...
/.../a practical directory for young christian females/letter vi temptation.htm

Unbelievers Upbraided
... Obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire ... be
worthy of our high pedigree; and may God grant that, if the saints of these ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 50 1904/unbelievers upbraided.htm

The God of the Aged
... just the same as the experience of the saints now; and ... wine becomes dregs at the
last, but God's wine is ... men are only just trying some of the promises; but the ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 2 1856/the god of the aged.htm

Words to Rest On
... believe on me through their word." It is part of the economy of grace that the
testimony of the saints shall be ... Get hold of the promises of God, and when ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 38 1892/words to rest on.htm

Concerning Persecution
... Persecutors are lions, but chained lions. God has made promises of
his special presence with his saints in suffering. ...
/.../the beatitudes an exposition of matthew 51-12/21 concerning persecution.htm

Article iii: of Love and the Fulfilling of the Law.
... us away from the Law to the divine promises, and teaches ... Here he shows that even
saints ought to seek ... The flesh distrusts God, trusts in present things, seeks ...
/.../melanchthon/the apology of the augsburg confession/part 6 article iii of.htm

I Will Pray with the Spirit and with the Understanding Also-
... hide his face from his dearest saints (Isaiah 8 ... David was so troubled sometimes,
that he could ... first, Thy filthy estate; secondly, God's promises; thirdly, The ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/i will pray with the.htm

Of Prayer --A Perpetual Exercise of Faith. The Daily Benefits ...
... up by the ladder of the promises, still remain ... to be rejected; yet provided the saints
lament, administer self-correction and return to themselves, God pardons ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 20 of prayera perpetual.htm

Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners Or, a Brief Relation of ...
... bidden me receive or rely upon the promises: and as ... 4. That Christ's flesh and blood
were within the saints. ... let Him go again for a very trifle,"God can tell ...
/.../bunyan/grace abounding to the chief of sinners/grace abounding to the chief.htm

A Homily for Humble Folks
... claim of the Lord by faith these promises which he ... Be all the more trustful in God
since you have ... High and mighty ones cannot help downcast saints: only those ...
/.../spurgeon/sermons on proverbs/a homily for humble folks.htm