SERIES: “The Gospel in Isaiah”
TEXT: Isaiah 49:1-16
MESSAGE: “Answering Doubts”
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“…the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” — Matthew 20:28
TEXT: Isaiah 49:1-16
Q: How does God respond to doubts? He responds in three ways: (1. Gives Promises 2. Addresses Doubts 3. Provides Reminders)
- Gives Promises (v. 8-10)
“Thus says the Lord: “In a time of favor I have answered you; in a day of salvation I have helped you; I will keep you and give you as a covenant to the people, to establish the land, to apportion the desolate heritages, 9 saying to the prisoners, ‘Come out,’ to those who are in darkness, ‘Appear.’ They shall feed along the ways; on all bare heights shall be their pasture; 10 they shall not hunger or thirst, neither scorching wind nor sun shall strike them, for he who has pity on them will lead them, and by springs of water will guide them.”
Isaiah 6:9-10 —“Go and tell this people:“‘Be ever hearing, but never understanding; be ever seeing, but never perceiving.’10 Make the heart of this people calloused; make their ears dull and close their eyes.”
2. Addresses Doubts (v. 13-14)
“Shout for joy, you heavens; rejoice, you earth; burst into song, you mountains! For the Lord comforts his people and will have compassion on his afflicted ones. 14 But Zion said, “The Lord has forsaken me, the Lord has forgotten me.”
“(God) knows how men speak when they are desperate.” — Derek Kidner
3. Provided Reminders (v. 15-16)
“Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you! 16 See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me.”
“…the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.” — John 20:25
“Pain is endurable, but the seeming indifference of God is not…We think of Him as an armchair spectator, almost gloating over the world’s suffering, and enjoying His own insulation from it. It is this terrible caricature of God that the cross smashes to smithereens.” — John Stott
TAKEAWAYS: How can we apply this to our doubts?
- God isn’t surprised by our doubts, so we shouldn’t be either
- Start examining your doubts
“If ours is an examined faith, we should be unafraid to doubt. If doubt is eventually justified, we were believing what clearly was not worth believing. But if doubt is answered, our faith has grown stronger. It knows God more certainly and it can enjoy God more deeply.” – Os Guinness
- See that God loves you through your doubts
“Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.” — John 20:26-27