Darkness of Doubt or a Life of Faith

“The Lord will perfect that which concerneth me.” Psalm 138:8

A consensus among bible students found that they consider this psalm to have been written by David upon his advancement to the throne of Israel. In this psalm, David praises the Lord for His ability to keep his promises and to bring to pass the completed work that was announced by the prophet Samuel.

God had started a work in the life of David fifteen years before. Saul had rejected God’s authority and sent the prophet Samuel to the house of Jesse to anoint a new King for the nation of Israel. Jesse had eight sons and brought seven of them, one by one, for Samuel to select as the new king. God rejected each one as they were presented.

Samuel, not to be dissuaded in his search, asked Jesse if there were more sons in his household. Jesse said:

“There remaineth yet the youngest, and, behold, he keepeth the sheep. And Samuel said unto Jesse, Send and fetch him: for we will not sit down till he come hither.” (1 Sa 16:11)  

When the youngest of the sons enter the room; Samuel saw a boy that was “ruddy, and withal of a beautiful countenance, and goodly to look to.” To the youngest of the sons of Jesse; God speaks to the prophet and said, “Arise, anoint him: for this is he.”

This event changed the course of the life of this young shepherd boy. After Samuel anointed him, the scripture declares, “the Spirit of the LORD came upon David from that day forward.” (1 Sa 16:12-13) When the Spirit of God invades a life, things change. There is now a power indwelling you that will empower you to bring to pass the promises of God in your life.

The Bible makes clear that God not only has a purpose and plan for your life but will bring it to pass like it was so with David, King of Israel. The Apostle Paul makes this bold statement about the power of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit's power in your life, “Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.” (Php 1:6)

You have not only been called but you have been empowered by God’s Spirit as well! God promises you that He will perform His work in your life in this world until the very day you behold Jesus “face to face.” As we live our lives, we often find ourselves in doubt of this fact as we experience doubts, difficulties and defeats in our lives.

God has given you a promise that you will be “conformed to the image of his Son.” (Rom 8: 29) God's work in your life is to establish the righteousness of Christ as your righteousness. This imputed righteousness will “conform” you into the image or likeness of Jesus.

The work of the Holy Spirit is woven into the fabric of our lives. The work to make you into the “image” of Jesus is fashioned in every event of our lives; in the victories, defeats and in the good times and the bad of our lives. God makes this promise to you, “all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” (Rom 8:28)

David loved God and was doing His will and “purpose” in his life and fifteen years later the word of God was born out as true as David was King of Israel. Just as God kept His promise to David; God will keep His promises to you.

Have you lost sight of the work of God in your life? Did you begin in faith but now live in doubt? Let me encourage you to look back to the day you were “anointed” with the Spirit of God and trust “that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.”

One more word of encouragement for you who are struggling:

“But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.” (1 Pe 5:10)

You are not alone. You are indwelled by the Spirit of God; guided by the “God of all grace” and are the friend of Jesus. Call on the name of Jesus and seek His face and He will guide you back to faith from the darkness of doubt.