Finding Faith Amid Doubt: Trusting God's Presence

Devotional

Day 1: Taking a Vacation from Doubt

Doubt is a common experience, even for those who follow Jesus closely. When life gets hard or circumstances seem out of control, it’s natural to question God’s involvement, His love, or even His existence. The Bible shows us that we are not alone in these feelings—many faithful people, like John the Baptist and the psalmists, have wrestled with doubts. Rather than hiding or feeling ashamed, we can bring our questions honestly before God, knowing He is not threatened by them and welcomes our authenticity. [26:27]

Psalm 77:7-9 (ESV)
“Will the Lord spurn forever, and never again be favorable? Has his steadfast love forever ceased? Are his promises at an end for all time? Has God forgotten to be gracious? Has he in anger shut up his compassion?”

Reflection: What is one doubt or question about God you’ve been afraid to voice—can you bring it honestly to Him in prayer today?

Day 2: Remembering God’s Faithfulness

When doubts arise, one of the most powerful tools we have is to remember God’s story—both in Scripture and in our own lives. Looking back at how God has acted with patience, love, and faithfulness, especially in the stories of Israel and in our personal journeys, helps us gain perspective. Memory becomes a friend to faith, reminding us that God has a proven track record of goodness and that His promises endure, even when our circumstances are difficult. [28:41]

Psalm 77:11-12 (ESV)
“I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your wonders of old. I will ponder all your work, and meditate on your mighty deeds.”

Reflection: Take a few minutes to write down three specific times when you have seen God’s faithfulness in your life—how might these memories encourage you in your current doubts?

Day 3: Trusting God’s Character

God’s character is trustworthy and good, even when we don’t understand what He’s doing. Jesus reminds us that God is a loving Father who gives good gifts to His children—He doesn’t trick or harm us, but always acts out of love. When we ask for patience, wisdom, or help, we can trust that God responds with kindness and care, not with punishment or neglect. Trusting God’s character means believing He is for us, even when life feels uncertain. [32:13]

Matthew 7:9-11 (ESV)
“Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!”

Reflection: Is there an area where you’ve been hesitant to ask God for help, fearing His response? What would it look like to trust His goodness and bring that request to Him today?

Day 4: God’s Presence Is Enough

Often, we want reasons for our struggles, but God offers us something better—His presence. Even when we don’t get the answers we want, God promises to be near, especially to the brokenhearted and those crushed in spirit. In seasons of waiting, confusion, or pain, God gives us Himself, and that is enough. The nearness of God is our good, and His presence brings comfort and hope, even when circumstances don’t change right away. [37:31]

Psalm 34:18 (ESV)
“The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.”

Reflection: In what situation do you most long for answers right now? How might you shift your focus from seeking reasons to seeking God’s presence with you in the midst of it?

Day 5: Surrendering Doubt Leads to Freedom

Doubt, when met with surrender and trust, can actually deepen our faith and lead us to freedom. Instead of being paralyzed by questions or trying to control everything ourselves, we can yield our uncertainties to God, trusting that He is in control and that His will is good. This surrender brings peace and freedom, even in the midst of unresolved situations. Through it all, we can let go and trust in Him, knowing that the waves and winds still know His name. [41:48]

Mark 4:39-41 (ESV)
“And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, ‘Peace! Be still!’ And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. He said to them, ‘Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?’ And they were filled with great fear and said to one another, ‘Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?’”

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to surrender control and trust God today? What step can you take to let go and experience His freedom?

Sermon Summary

Life is full of moments that can leave us feeling worn out, overwhelmed, and even doubtful—especially when it comes to our faith. Sometimes, it’s not the intellectual questions that trip us up, but the real-life struggles that make us wonder if God is truly in control, if He cares, or if He’s even there at all. Even those closest to Jesus, like John the Baptist, experienced moments of deep doubt. The Psalms are filled with honest questions about God’s presence and love, reminding us that it’s okay to be real with our struggles. God is not threatened by our doubts, and neither should we be ashamed of them.

When doubt creeps in, it’s important to step back and remember God’s story—His faithfulness throughout history and in our own lives. The Bible is filled with accounts of God’s patience, love, and mercy, not just for nations but for individuals like us. Our memories of God’s past faithfulness become a friend to our faith, giving us hope and perspective when we’re tempted to despair. Trusting God’s character is essential; Jesus reminds us that God is a good Father who gives good gifts to His children, never tricking or abandoning us in our need.

Sometimes, the only thing we can do is hang on and wait for the season to change. Doubt and hardship are often just that—a season. Joy comes in the morning, and God’s presence is with us even in the waiting. We may not always get the answers or reasons we want, but God gives us Himself, and that is enough. Our desire for security can actually keep us from trusting God, but it’s in the uncertainty that our faith grows deeper.

Doubt, when met with surrender and trust, leads to freedom. It’s not about having all the answers, but about yielding to God’s will and trusting that He sees us, knows us, and is working even when we can’t see it. Through it all, we can let go and trust in Him, knowing that the waves and winds still know His name. There is freedom and peace on the other side of surrender, even in the midst of our doubts.

Key Takeaways

1. Honest doubt is not a sign of weak faith, but a natural part of the journey. Even spiritual giants like John the Baptist and King David wrestled with questions about God’s presence and love. God welcomes our honesty and is not threatened by our struggles; in fact, He meets us in them. [26:27]
2. Remembering God’s faithfulness in the past strengthens our faith in the present. The stories of God’s patience and mercy with Israel—and with us—remind us that He is consistent and trustworthy, even when our circumstances are uncertain. Memory becomes a friend to faith, anchoring us in hope. [28:41]
3. Trusting God’s character is foundational when answers are lacking. Jesus assures us that God is a good Father who gives good gifts, not tricks or harm. When we ask for help, patience, or guidance, we can trust that God responds with love and wisdom, not with punishment or neglect. [32:13]
4. Seasons of doubt and waiting are temporary, and God’s presence is constant through them. Sometimes, the only way forward is to hang on and trust that joy will come in the morning. God may not always give us reasons, but He always gives us Himself—His nearness is our greatest good. [33:33]
5. Surrendering our need for control and understanding leads to true freedom. Doubt, when combined with surrender and trust, opens the door to peace and release from anxiety. God sees beyond our doubts to the real us, and invites us to let go, trust Him, and find freedom in His care. [40:20]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:10] - Introduction and Worship
[03:45] - Connecting as a Church Family
[06:30] - Prayer and Series Overview
[08:20] - The Need for Rest and Taking Breaks
[10:55] - Introducing the Topic of Doubt
[13:40] - Types of Doubt We Experience
[16:15] - When Doubt Becomes Personal
[21:29] - Biblical Examples of Doubt
[26:27] - Honest Questions from the Psalms
[27:22] - Growing Through Doubt
[28:41] - Remembering God’s Faithfulness
[30:45] - Trusting God’s Character
[33:33] - Seasons of Waiting and Hanging On
[34:30] - The DMV Story: Wanting Reasons
[37:31] - God Gives Us Himself
[39:36] - Security, Surrender, and Freedom
[41:21] - God Sees Beyond Our Doubts
[41:48] - Through It All: Trust and Worship

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Psalm 77:7-12 (ESV) — > 7 “Will the Lord spurn forever, and never again be favorable?
> 8 Has his steadfast love forever ceased? Are his promises at an end for all time?
> 9 Has God forgotten to be gracious? Has he in anger shut up his compassion?” Selah
> 10 Then I said, “I will appeal to this, to the years of the right hand of the Most High.”
> 11 I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your wonders of old.
> 12 I will ponder all your work, and meditate on your mighty deeds.”

Matthew 7:9-11 (ESV) — > 9 Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone?
> 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent?
> 11 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!

Psalm 34:18 (ESV) — > The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.

Observation Questions

In Psalm 77, what kinds of questions does the writer ask God, and what do these questions reveal about his emotional state?
According to Matthew 7:9-11, how does Jesus describe God’s character as a Father?
In the sermon, what examples were given of people in the Bible who experienced doubt, and how did they express it? [21:29]
What does Psalm 34:18 say about God’s response to those who are hurting or struggling?

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think the writer of Psalm 77 chooses to remember God’s past deeds after expressing his doubts? What effect does this have on his faith?
The sermon mentions that even John the Baptist, who was close to Jesus, experienced doubt. What does this suggest about the nature of doubt in the Christian life? [21:29]
Jesus says God gives good gifts to His children and doesn’t trick or harm them. How might this truth help someone who is struggling to trust God during a hard season? [32:13]
The sermon says, “Memory is a friend to faith.” How can remembering God’s faithfulness in the past help us when we are in a season of doubt? [28:41]

Application Questions

The Psalmist and King David were honest with God about their doubts and struggles. Is there a specific area of your life where you have been afraid to be honest with God? What would it look like to bring that to Him this week? [26:27]
The sermon encourages us to remember God’s faithfulness in the past. Can you share a time when God came through for you, even if it was in a small way? How might recalling that story help you or someone else today? [28:41]
When you are in a season of waiting or uncertainty, what are some practical ways you can “hang on” and trust that “joy comes in the morning”? [33:33]
The pastor shared a story about wanting reasons for why things happen, but realizing that God often gives us Himself instead of answers. Is there a situation in your life where you are demanding reasons from God? How might it change your perspective to seek His presence instead? [37:31]
The sermon says that surrendering our need for control leads to freedom. What is one area where you are struggling to let go of control? What would it look like to surrender that to God this week? [40:20]
Jesus says God is a good Father who gives good gifts. Is there something you need to ask God for right now—like help, patience, or guidance? How can you trust that He will respond with love and wisdom? [32:13]
The pastor said, “The waves and winds still know His name,” referring to Jesus calming the storm. When life feels chaotic, what helps you remember that God is still in control? Is there a verse, song, or practice that anchors you? [41:48]

Sermon Clips

You have to get this. Memory is a friend of faith, okay? My memory is a friend to my faith. I can now say, you know, and again, I've been a follower of Jesus for a really long time now. And I can now say, I've lived long enough to see God work faithfully, consistently, all the time. God has an amazing track record for the life of faithfulness. [00:30:06] (28 seconds) #MemoryStrengthensFaith

But God will always, always give good to me. So Jesus said, if you then, though you are evil, if you know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him? [00:32:08] (17 seconds) #GodNearTheBroken

The point of all this is that God can be trusted at the DMV, OK? He can be trusted at the DMV. And the reality is, is I always want reasons for that moment. I want a reason why, why. God doesn't always give me and you reasons. He gives us himself. And that's sufficient. And that's enough, OK? He gives you himself, the closeness of his presence, because the nearness of God is going to be your good. [00:37:44] (39 seconds) #SatisfiedInHim

One thing I want to say as the worship team comes on up right now, doubts can deepen your faith. In fact, doubts do deepen your faith. They will. Because our experiences in doubt lead us to a place of surrender if you take the right course. They lead me to a place of surrender. We often surrender because we have no other options. I don't have any other options, you know. I have to surrender to this. [00:39:50] (27 seconds) #SurrenderInDoubt

We get to a place where we say, God, I don't understand. And that's not a bad place to be. This doesn't make sense. I have my doubts. It's out of my control. But I yield to your will and to what you want to do. And that's good. Always good. [00:40:17] (21 seconds) #FreedomThroughTrust

``The waves and winds still know his name. Waves and wind. And it's a reference to when Jesus walked on the water and said, be still. Quiet. Be still. Waves and winds. They still know his name. He can control them. So trust him. Trust him. And let's find freedom. [00:41:51] (20 seconds)

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