Joshua 18,19; Psalms149,150; Jeremiah 9; Matthew 23

The more I learn, the less I know. 

There was a time when I thought I had the whole Christianity thing figured out.  I was near certain about many doctrinal issues, even the small ones.  But a funny thing happened.  In a quest for truth, I started to dive more deeply into the Word and consider the viewpoints of others more learned than I.  And I wasn’t so sure anymore.

I recently read the book Know Doubt, by my all-time favorite Christian author, John Ortberg.  In it, Ortberg reveals that he, too, experiences doubts even when it comes to some of the biggest questions about topics such as death and eternal destiny.  At least I am in good company.

Perhaps, this is exactly where I should be.  In Jeremiah, God instructs us:

“Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom or the strong man boast of his strength or the rich man boast of his riches, but let him who boasts boast about this: that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight,”  Jeremiah 9:23-24

I find that any faith that can withstand attack from the outside, must first be tested from within.  If I want to understand God and know Him better, I first need to allow doubt to breathe.  By examining my doubts, I will come to a place where my faith is deeper…if not wider. 

For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.  Matthew 23:12

Lord,

You gave me the ability to reason and a skeptical mind that I may pursue truth with discernment.  I realize I am so limited in my knowledge of you.  I humbly request that you reveal yourself to me in ways that replace my doubts with a richer faith.  Amen.

Greg (gmd40187)

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