MONDAY, APRIL 16
“Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But He said to them, “Unless I see in His hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into His side, I will never believe.”
John 20:24-25 ESV
DOUBTING THE TRUTH: GOD’S PATIENCE
Relationships require work. One wife prayed to God about her marriage. She said, “God, I pray for wisdom to understand my man; love to forgive my man; and patience for his moods; Because, Lord if I pray for strength, I’ll beat him to death. Amen.”
It is a good thing that a Holy God is patient with us. In John 20, we learn that Thomas had sincere doubts about the resurrection of Jesus even though the other disciples had told him Jesus was alive. Thomas could not bring himself to believe. He goes so far as to say, “I will not believe!” This is a powerful statement. It is a “double negative” in the original Greek language. Thomas is saying, “I positively will not believe!” Yet, Jesus didn’t immediately write off Thomas and was patient with him.
There will be times and seasons that we all struggle with doubts in our faith. But God is patient. God hasn’t written you off either. Some of you may still be doubting the resurrection of Jesus like Thomas doubted. Others may be doubting because of relationships, physical health, mental health or financial reasons. We should follow the example of the father with a sick child in Mark 9:24 who cried out to Jesus, “I believe; help my unbelief!” Confess to God any areas that you are struggling to believe truths that He has clearly revealed. Ask God to help you believe.
