February 16

“All the paths of the Lord are mercy and steadfast love, even truth and faithfulness are they for those who keep His covenant and His testimonies.” These are sobering words in Psalm 25:10, for many of the trials through which we are required to walk in life seem like anything but the path of mercy and love.

When we are confronted with problems that seem insurmountable, God’s truth and faithfulness seem shrouded in the fog of our dilemma, if not totally invisible to our eyes which can be blinded by doubt and discouragement. Yet, we know His Word is absolutely true. How can we reconcile what we feel, what we fear, with what we know about Him?

The first step is to acknowledge that the problem lies with us, not with the Lord. The second step is to recognize that the problem within us is rooted in the dichotomy of our spirit. Yes, we have faith, but within the same bosom, we also harbor doubt. We know that mustard-seed-sized-faith can pull down mountains, but we also know that doubt hinders the power of faith.

We are like the man whose son was tormented by a demon—the man stated regarding his conviction that Jesus could deliver his son, “Lord, I believe,” but went on to add, “help Thou mine unbelief,” Mark 9:24. And as his son was delivered, so shall we be. The Lord’s mercy and love and truth and faithfulness will prevail as we continue to faithfully “keep His covenant and His testimonies.”