A View From The Sanctuary - Jewell Utt
When I tried to understand all this, it troubled me deeply till I entered the sanctuary of God; then I understood their final destiny. Psalms 73:16-17
We all struggle with doubt from time to time. Even people with a deep and abiding faith in God. Doubts arise from circumstances, family, friends, intellectual pursuits, and of course Satan. It’s natural to doubt, but it’s dangerous to allow doubts to encroach on productivity, cloud judgment or thwart our spiritual journey.
Never turn in the darkness, away from what God has revealed to you in the light. A pastor shared this over 25 years ago and I still depend on its truth today.
God has an important job for each of us that involves the people He has placed on our path. The influence we impart can help someone within our circle, on their road of doubt. As an axle sends spokes out to steady a bike wheel, God can send direct lines out from us to the people He has placed in our periphery. Unconfronted doubt only serves to distract us from that course. Worse it can spread its poison to others.
The psalmist Asaph models how we can handle our doubts. In Psalm73, he confronts God about why bad things happen to good people and why good things happen to the bad. In short, why do the arrogant seem to get ahead? It’s enough to make a wise man doubt. As verse 9 points out, their mouths are set against Heaven and their tongues strut the earth. Doesn’t God notice? Does this escape His gaze? Of course not! Our understanding comes as Asaph’s did, when we enter the sanctuary of God.
But when I thought how to understand this, it seemed to me a wearisome task, until I went into the sanctuary of God; then I discerned their end. (Psalm 73:16-17 ESV)
God notices and in the end their downfall is certain.
Asaph recognized that he was acting in ignorance and doubt. The NIV translation uses the term brute beast. It conveys the idea of an unintelligent animal that cares only about his own comfort and physical needs. We are capable of far more than that.
When we feel embittered or tempted to give into doubt, we can entrust it to God. He guides us with good counsel and reassures us of His presence and strength.
This life will hold its share of defeats. The most devoted person may doubt God in times of crisis. Asaph teaches us an important lesson. Retaining unhealthy attitudes can lead to dangerous thinking, but confronting our doubts will help us grow strong.
Open up. Be honest. Tell God. Enlist prayer. Expect adversity.
Yes, Satan is at work on earth, that is why we look heavenward for our reward.
