In Touch - June 24, 2005

In Touch Daily Devotional 
by Dr. Charles Stanley

Friday June 24, 2005

The Battle of Faith

2 Chronicles 20:1-18

Faith is sometimes a battle. One day we feel drawn in the direction of trusting God, and then suddenly, we're on the other side, doubting Him. The pendulum of our thinking and emotions can swing from confidence to uncertainty all too easily if we are unprepared. Thankfully, God provides a key to stabilizing our faith.

Periods of doubt-causing fear, anger, or stress are normal for human beings, but we have the choice to bring these natural feelings under subjection to the Lord. One of the best ways to begin this process is recalling His nature and promises. When Satan is feeding us reasons to doubt, God wants us to draw from our well of spiritual knowledge. Focusing on the Father swings our pendulum to trust.

King Jehoshaphat demonstrated absolute confidence in the Lord when he learned of an incoming attack. In spite of his initial fear, he called upon the people of Judah to fast. Then he spoke an amazing God-centered prayer—praising Him, recalling His past provision, and asking for His protection. (verses 6-12) As believers, we often unwittingly fall into a pattern of praying with self-centered and negative words—we detail our problem, beg for help, and leap to our feet still fretting. But the direct result of Jehoshaphat's prayer was a quiet, trusting spirit. He swung from fear and doubt to confidence by looking not at his approaching enemy, but rather at his almighty Lord.

Faith pendulum swings are typical of believers, but we choose the length of time we will hover in the shadow of doubt. Faith-growing trust is only a prayer away.

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Do you have questions about the end times? Be sure to watch Answers for End Times, a powerful webcast that aired live on May 19, featuring Dr. Dwight Pentecost and Dr. Stanley. Visit www.intouch.org for more information.

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