Doubts about God can manifest themselves in many ways. In my life, I have never had strong doubts about God’s existence. From an early age I accepted that there is one God who had created and sustains all things. My doubts have manifested themselves in relationship to God’s character. Is God really good? Does he know what is best for me? Is he holding out on me? These doubts are not unique to me but are as old as mankind itself. It is the continual whisper of the enemy in our ear.
In Genesis 3:4-5 we read, “But the serpent said to the woman, ‘You will not surely die. For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.’” The serpent whispers, “God is holding out on you. He knows there is something better for you and he does not want you to have it.”
I have heard and hear this whisper of the serpent loudest when I walk through the dark times of my life. Hebrews 13:8 says, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” Jesus told Philip on one occasion, “Whoever has seen me has seen the Father.” (John 14:9) Therefore, “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” (Psalm 23:4) In the face of my doubts about the character of God, I look to the person of Jesus Christ. They soon fade away, like a morning mist, in the light of the constancy of the character of Christ Jesus my Lord.
