God has not only adopted us, but we are His by birth: we have been born into His kingdom. My little boy was as much mine when he was a day old as now that he is fourteen. He was my son ; although it did not appear what he would be when he attained manhood. He is mine; although he may have to undergo probation under tutors and governors. The children of God are not perfect; but we are perfectly His children.
Another origin of doubts is looking at ourselves. If you want to be wretched and miserable, filled with doubts from morning till night, look at yourselves.
“Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on Thee.” (Isaiah 26:3).
Many of God’s dear children are robbed of joy because they keep looking at themselves.
Someone has said:
“There are three ways to look. If you want to be wretched, look within; if you wish to be distracted, look around; but if you would have peace, look up.”
Peter looked away from Christ, and he immediately began to sink. The Master said to him: “O thou of little faith! Wherefore didst thou doubt?” (Matthew 14:31).
He had God’s eternal word, which was sure footing, and better than either marble, granite or iron; but the moment he took his eyes off Christ down he went. Those who look around cannot see how unstable and dishonoring is their walk. We want to look straight at the “Author and Finisher of our faith.”