Inferior Misgivings About Jesus

📖 "Sir, Thou hast nothing to draw with." — John 4:11

Oswald Chambers points out a subtle but serious doubt that often lingers in our hearts: we admire the words of Jesus, but deep down, we struggle to believe He can actually carry them out in our daily lives. We might not say it outright, but when faced with practical concerns—finances, health, relationships—we find ourselves questioning whether Jesus truly has what it takes to meet our needs.

Like the Samaritan woman at the well, we assess the situation based on our human perspective. She saw a deep well and a man without a bucket and concluded that His offer of living water was impossible. How often do we do the same? We look at our own lack, our limited resources, our apparent impossibilities, and assume Jesus is just as restricted as we are.

The real issue is not that we doubt ourselves—we know full well what we can and cannot do. The problem is that we project those same limitations onto Christ. We believe in His wisdom and power in theory, but in the details of life, we hesitate. Will He really provide? Will He truly come through? Can He work this out? These questions reveal that our trust has been mixed with misgivings.

The answer is not to try harder to believe but to acknowledge where our confidence has been misplaced. If we are looking to our own understanding, our own strength, our own sense of control, then of course we will waver. But when we recognize that Jesus operates entirely beyond our limitations, we can release our concerns and rest in His sufficiency.

A Simple Reflection

Picture a child holding a small lantern in a vast, dark cave. The child sees only a few steps ahead and worries about what lies beyond the dim light. But then a great floodlight is turned on, illuminating the entire cavern. The child realizes that the darkness was never a problem—the light was always available; he just wasn’t relying on it.

Our doubts about Jesus come from living as though we must navigate with our own small lantern, instead of resting in the fullness of His light. He is not bound by our limitations, nor is He dependent on our understanding. He simply is—fully capable, fully trustworthy, fully sufficient.

Prayer of Confidence

Lord, You are not limited by what I see, by what I understand, or by what I possess. You do not need a bucket to draw water, nor do You need my resources to fulfill Your promises. I rejoice in Your complete sufficiency. Thank You for being faithful, for being all that I need in every moment. I trust You, not only with my salvation but with the details of my life today. Amen.

📸 Photo Credit: Unsplash
📝 Devotional Credit: Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest