Stop Doubting And Believe

In the Bible, it was Thomas:

John 20:24-29 – Now Thomas (called Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord!" But he said to them, "Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe it." A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you!" Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe." Thomas said to him, "My Lord and my God!" Then Jesus told him, "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed. (NIV)

Today, it could be any one of us. We can read the Bible, we can feel God's presence and peace, but that little feeling of doubt is never too far away. Thomas didn't just want somebody's word for it. He wanted proof! If we're honest, would we have asked for anything less? Do we now?

Jesus told Thomas to go ahead and touch His hands and side, and then, "Stop doubting and believe." Thomas did, and then he believed.

Jesus knew it would be more difficult for us. Look at verse 29: "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."

Jesus looked far into the future and knew that there would be days when we would know that we love God, but He just wouldn't feel real close. Jesus still offers us His hands and side as proof that He did what He said He would do. He died on the cross, rose the third day, and went back with His father to prepare a place for us to live eternally.

Deuteronomy 7:8-9 – But it was because the Lord loved you and kept the oath he swore to your forefathers that he brought you out with a mighty hand and redeemed you from the land of slavery, from the power of Pharaoh king of Egypt. Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commands. (NIV)

We're one of those thousand generations. He is faithful. He still welcomes doubters, seekers, or whatever we need to call ourselves when things aren't going like we think they should. We can ask Him to prove Himself to us. He will, no doubt about it.

Prayer: Father in heaven, thank You so much for the gift of Jesus. Thank You for knowing us better than we know ourselves. May we be willing to move beyond our periods of doubt and continue into Your presence. Amen.

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