19/06/07

Faith's Fixed Focus

James 1:6 calls believers to 'ask in faith without any doubting.' This may seem unreasonable since doubt is a natural human response. But James realized that when a person consistently feels uncertain about the Lord's provision, he or she isn't practicing faith.
Read James 1:4-8

At times, doubt will enter every believer's mind. But we should release these worries in favor of trust. How can we look to God with confidence if we don't know He's trustworthy? It's important to learn His nature and characteristics. Then, we fix our attention on Him and focus upon His faithfulness, instead of wringing our hands over circumstances.

Before Scripture was fully recorded, parents passed down family stories about God. That's how young Joseph received the examples of his ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. From such a rich oral history, he learned deep truths about God's sovereignty, faithfulness, and the consequences of doubting the Lord. As a teenager, Joseph was sold into slavery. Then, he realized his need to fix his focus upon God. He did so because he trusted that the One who guided his ancestors would care for him, too.

The stories of Joseph, his ancestors, and many others in Scripture are relevant to our lives. We can find many examples of unwavering faith in our church community. If your doubts outweigh your faith, your heavenly Father is pleased to teach you about Himself through stories of other believers. All you have to do is open the Bible and your heart.

[Reference Scriptures]

James 1:4-8
⁴ Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. ⁵ If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. ⁶ But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. ⁷ That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; ⁸ he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.

The Word of God was given free to us, therefore we should also share it freely with others. (All rights are with God)