Drawing Near in Doubt

Doubt is often treated like a dirty word in Christian circles, but Scripture is filled with faithful expressions of it. In Psalm 73, Asaph wrestles with the tension between what he believes about God’s goodness and what he sees happening in the world around him. His struggle is honest and raw—but it ultimately leads him not away from God, but toward Him.

Small Group Questions

1. When have you felt like your “feet had almost slipped” spiritually, as Asaph describes in verse 2? What was the time like?

2. Asaph’s doubt was fueled by envy of the prosperity of the wicked, what about the prosperity of the wicked tempts you to question God’s justice and goodness today?

3. Have you walked with anyone through an intense season of doubt? What did you learn about how to do that well and what to avoid?

4. What has been a helpful cure for your doubts? Why would going to the sanctuary be a helpful cure?

5. How has God held you fast when your grip has felt weak?

Sermon Outline:

I. The Rebellion of the Wicked is Futile.

II. The Victory of God’s Anointed is Certain.

III. The Record of God’s Faithfulness is Perfect.

Sermon Discussion Questions:

1. What forms of rebellion against God’s rule are most subtle in our culture—and even in our own hearts?

2. Is God’s sovereignty the basis for bold, faith-filled action in your life, or a truth you affirm but rarely apply? How might your life look different if you applied this truth to your life each day? How might you feel different?

3. What good things are you tempted to trust in instead of trusting in the name of the Lord? Can or should anything be done about that?

4. How do Romans 1 and Hebrews 3:12-13 help us understand the progression and danger of unrepentant sin? What role does the church community play in helping one another resist the hardening of the heart?

5. How are you intentionally remembering and rehearsing the faithfulness of God in your life? Or, how could you start doing so?