Do you remember Doubting Thomas? Thomas, who, when the disciples said that they had seen Jesus, retorted adamantly, “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.” John 20:25. Thomas wanted to see first and then believe. So often, I find myself like Thomas – doubts will raise their ugly heads and play like a crazy merry-go-round in my head. Does God really still heal today? Does He really care about me? Or perhaps, am I really saved?
Of course, as He always does, Jesus showed up to Thomas and invited him to put his hands into the scars, telling him to stop doubting and believe! Thomas exclaimed, “My LORD and my God!” I love Jesus’ gentle response, which is what I often need to hear: “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” John 20:29. We are blessed because we believe in the Son, we believe He was sent to save us, and yet have not seen him. That’s faith!
In our text, we see Paul referring to “the faithful in Christ Jesus.” The word for faithful is the same one Jesus used when talking to Thomas – ‘believed.’ Paul is talking to the Saints, you and me, because we are Believers! We believe! We have faith! We have a Savior we can have faith in, one who is constant and never fails. This is a faith we can be loyal to and defend. We can join the vast throng of ‘the faithful’ simply because we believe. And as we believe, as we trust, God will shape us and make us faithful, with a rock-solid knowledge that the LORD is everything He says He is.
Do you know what I love about the story of Thomas? God showed up! Even though Thomas was full of doubt, so many questions, God showed up. He always does. And Thomas? He went on to become the most zealous of missionaries, preaching Jesus to the East, perhaps as far as India and becoming a martyr by the end of a spear. So certain was he that Jesus was his LORD and God that he was prepared to die for his faith. In the end, he was not Doubting Thomas but Faithful Thomas. Faithful in Christ Jesus.
When doubt threatens to overtake you and questions swirl in your mind, let your Abba Father know. He hears you. He sees you. And He will show up for you. He will turn your doubt to faith, shaping and molding you to be one of the faithful in Christ Jesus!
Reflections
- In what area of your life do you most relate to Thomas right now? When doubts tend to rise in your mind questioning God’s power, His loving care for you, or your own faith, how do you respond when they appear?
- In what way can you bring your doubts honestly to Jesus instead of hiding them or fighting them alone?
- In what ways can you live as one of “the faithful in Christ Jesus,” trusting God even when you cannot see?
Step-By-Step
Today, when those frustrating doubts surface, take a moment and pray this simple prayer: “Jesus, I make the choice to believe even before I see. Help my unbelief.” Write down a promise from Scripture and one way that your Abba Father has shown up for you in the past. Make this a remembrance that you can revisit whenever those doubts threaten to surface again.
Claire's Prayer 