God’s Promises: The Potent Antidote to Doubts and Unbelief in Ministry
Isaac Megbolugbe
January 23, 2025
Introduction
As ministers of the gospel, we are not immune to doubts and unbelief. In fact, the more impactful we become, the more sinister these challenges can intensify, threatening to discredit, discourage, and drain the joy that fuels our ministry. However, God’s promises serve as a powerful ammunition against anxiety, unbelief, and Satanic accusations.
The Battle Against Unbelief
In Philippians 4:6, we are instructed not to be anxious about anything, but instead, to let our requests be made known to God through prayer and supplication with thanksgiving. One of the key things we are thankful for is God’s promises. These promises are the solid foundation upon which we stand, combating doubts and unbelief.
Ammunition Against Anxiety
John Piper, in his devotional, shares how he battles unbelief with God’s promises. When anxious about ministry being useless, he recalls Isaiah 55:11, “So shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty.” When worried about weakness, he clings to 2 Corinthians 12:9, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”
Promises for Every Challenge
Other powerful promises to arm ourselves against anxiety and unbelief include:
– Psalm 32:8: “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you.”
– Romans 8:31: “If God is for us, who can be against us?”
– Matthew 7:11: “How much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!”
– Mark 10:29-30: “Everyone who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or farms, for Christ’s sake, shall receive a hundredfold now in this time.”
– Psalm 34:19: “Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all.”
Hope in the Midst of Suffering
Even in the face of suffering, God’s promises offer hope. Romans 5:3-5 reminds us, “Suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit.”
Conclusion
God’s promises are the potent antidote to doubts and unbelief in ministry. As we arm ourselves with these promises, we can confidently face challenges, knowing that God is for us. Let us hold fast to His word, and allow His promises to fuel our joy, strengthening our resolve to serve Him faithfully.
Reflection Questions:
1. What are some common doubts and unbeliefs that creep into your ministry?
2. How can you apply God’s promises to combat these challenges?
3. Which promise resonates with you the most, and why?
Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for Your precious promises that arm us against doubts and unbelief. Help us to hold fast to Your word, and may Your love and grace sustain us in our ministry. Amen.