Faith in Times of Doubt

Introduction

You may find history boring. History isn’t always interesting. But if you find a great story teller then history comes alive. Lots of times we wonder why we have to know about history. Some things are important. For instance, knowing the beginning of our nation’s history is important in order for our unity as Americans. But the stories of our nation’s beginnings can be told in ways which bring yawns or told in ways which widen the eyes and quicken the breath. It really is in the telling and in the interest level of the person who is receiving the information.

The same thing is true when we come to a reading of the history of God’s plan unfolding in the origination and work of his church. This writing that is called Acts can at times seem rather boring and mundane. But it really is in the telling and the interest of the reader that determines one’s appreciation of history. As with any history, it is important that we place ourselves in the person’s shoes in order to have a greater appreciation for the events which unfold before us. When we can feel what others felt and use our imagination to place ourselves in their situation, then history comes alive and we have a better appreciation for the events and people who have gone before us.

Such is the case when we come to Acts 1. Luke is giving us a systematic rendering of the events which surrounded the beginning of God’s plan in the church. But it isn’t just cold facts that are given to us. Luke is giving us an opportunity to be with these early disciples; to see what they were thinking; and to understand their world as God’s plan unfolds. Today we are going to journey back to that upper room right after the ascension of Jesus. We are going to take a look at what is happening in that room and what is being discussed and what action is taking place. Luke doesn’t record this as filler, but for a specific reason—to demonstrate the providence of God in bringing about his will for his people, the church.

Learning to Wait

Last week Dwight spoke about waiting. Jesus had told the apostles to return to Jerusalem and wait for the Holy Spirit to come. Waiting is a difficult concept but the apostles and these early disciples allow us to have a better understanding about what it means to wait. Luke tells us that they return to Jerusalem and go to an upper room where they are staying. All of the apostles are there except for Judas. There are others there as well. Among those joining them are Mary, Jesus’ mother and Jesus’ brothers. About 120 people in all are present. What do you think they talked about on the way back to Jerusalem? Why do you think they talked about in that room? Were there tears or smiles?

Luke tells us that they prayed. The NIV translates with the word “constantly” which may give the wrong impression. It is better understand as “regularly” or “consistently.” There was much prayer in that room. Why? Jesus told them to wait. He told them that a few days would go by before the Holy Spirit would come upon them. We don’t know the content of the prayer, but you can imagine how difficult it would have been for them to just sit and wait. When you are waiting for the doctor to come out after surgery and tell you how your loved one is, don’t you pray? When you are waiting for the test in school to begin, don’t you pray? When you are waiting for that important meeting, don’t you pray?

You have been in the same type of situation as these early disciples. You know what it is to wait with a sense of uncertainty. And when those times arise, what better thing is there to do than pray. When you are waiting, prayer is something. It isn’t just something to do; it is something that helps us to wait. Prayer helps us to tune in to God. Prayer helps us to submit ourselves to the will of God. These early disciples weren’t praying because they could think of nothing else to do. They were praying because they wanted the will of God to come to completion in their lives.

But these apostles were not just given to prayer—they were also searching for God’s will through scripture. Peter quotes two passages from the Psalms. Both of these passages are used to demonstrate that God knew about Judas and that his death meant that a slot as one of the 12 was needing to be filled. In other words, these early disciples continued with what they knew the will of God was. While waiting for God to act, i.e., to send the Holy Spirit, the disciples did what they knew God wanted them to do. In addition to prayer, they committed themselves to scripture and the future. And so they prepared for the future by selecting Matthias to take Judas’ place as one of the 12 apostles.

So What?

Why is Luke giving us these details? What are we supposed to gain from this section of Acts 1? It seems that Luke is intentionally allowing the suspense to build toward Acts 2. There are about 10 days which pass from the time of the ascension to Pentecost. But the apostles and disciples didn’t know that it was only 10 days to the giving of the Spirit. We do. We’ve read Acts enough to know what is next, but they didn’t. So when they were having to wait for God to act, what did they do? They gave themselves to prayer, understanding scripture, and continuing with God’s will as best as they could understand it.

There is nothing heroic here. There is a gathering of people waiting. As Dwight pointed out last week, whatever is going to happen next is going to happen by the power of God, but in the meantime, these disciples are committed to each other and to God through prayer. Too many times we relegate prayer to the “no big deal” category. “Let’s pray” has become a cliche. These disciples prayed not because there was nothing else to do but because they were committed to God’s will. They prayed as a demonstration of their perseverance and patience. We can do no less. Prayer is not just something tacked on to a service or said at the beginning of meals. Prayer is about commitment.

And so is understanding scripture. Notice that these disciples appointed another apostle based upon their understanding of scripture. Someone might suggest that the casting of lots puts this whole thing into the realm of chance, but Peter’s quoting of scripture will not allow such a suggestion. He quoted passages from David’s pen believing that these were God’s words and that they were meant for this time while waiting for God to act. Could we not give ourselves to the study of scripture as we wait for God to act? Peter tells us in verse 16 that God is at work in scripture. So we need to dedicate ourselves as we wait for God to act to be in His word.

As I place myself in that upper room, I can sense of anticipation. Jesus has told them it would be a few days and then the Holy Spirit would come. They prayed with anticipation; they worked with anticipation; they read scripture with anticipation. There wasn’t anything that was taken for granted. Are we waiting with that same sense of anticipation? Or are our prayers more casual than anticipatory? Do we read scripture with a sense of excitement or a sense that we have read it before? And what about our walk with God? Do we have a sense of looking forward to God’s action or do we think he has forgotten us? May we give ourselves to prayerfully waiting for God to act. May we give ourselves to reading his Word until he acts. And may we do what we can until he acts. All with a sense of anticipation and joy for what he will someday do.

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