Scripture: Job 15:4 – “But you are doing away with the fear of God, and hindering meditation before God.” (NRSV)
Is doubt a good thing? The Bible would seem to answer no. After all, Jesus regularly upbraids his disciples for their lack of faith. When they ask Jesus why they cannot drive out an evil spirit, he says to them, “Because of your little faith. For truly I tell you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.” And when Peter walks on water, and then falters, Jesus asks, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” The implication is that if you believe in Jesus, you can accomplish anything.
Down through the centuries, people have been taught that any deviation from faith will lead to destruction, and that one must unquestioningly commit to what they have learned about faith. But faith is not about believing something is true or not. Peter declares that Jesus is the Messiah, and this is generally what all the disciples claim, yet they still stumble because they do not ultimately trust that they can perform miracles in Jesus’ name or that Jesus has the power of faith to rise from the dead.
I do not think that Jesus wants blind obedience from us. Jesus guides the disciples toward discovering their own talents and to develop their own ways of understanding God. The idea is to celebrate these different perspectives in celebration of God, not to submit to one way of thinking about things. This is, after all, what Jesus opposed in the religious and political structures of his time.
I think that we need some doubt in our relationship with God, because a relationship is about give and take. Perfect mental submission leaves us ill equipped for the problems of the world. I see this reflected in the story of Job. Job is cursed with the loss of his property and family and with a debilitating disease, and he demands that God explain why these things are happening to him. Job’s “friends” visit him to explain that all Job needs is faith in the traditions, and that deviating from that faith will lead to destruction, not just for himself but for the greater community. Eliphaz says, “But you are doing away with the fear of God, and hindering meditation before God.”
The thing is that Job believes in God and trusts in God. Otherwise, he would, as his wife suggests, “Curse God and die.” It is because of his faith that he demands an answer. He doubts not God, but what he has been taught about God. Through his struggles, he gains a greater appreciation of God and is ultimately blessed above his previous condition.
A faith which is not tested by doubt is brittle and shatters under trouble. I think we have seen friends and loved ones whose empty faith withers away when faced with suffering or temptation. But when we are honest with God and when we voice our doubts, we find that we can work with God to discover the peace and hope to get us through any troubles. So, do not be afraid to question what you have been taught, because through our doubts, we discover the faith that can move away all the mountains of pain in our lives.
Prayer: God, grant me the faith of the mustard seed, and help me to water it with my questions. Amen.
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