In the Bible, it was Thomas:
John 20:24 - 29 (NIV)
24 Now Thomas, one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. 25 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." 26 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!" 27 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." 28 Thomas said to him, "My Lord and my God!" 29 Then Jesus told him, "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."
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 you and I know we love God, but He just doesn't feel real close right then. 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 3rd day and went back with His father to prepare a place for us to live eternally.
Deuteronomy 7:8-9 (NIV)
8 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. 9 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.
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. Ask Him to prove Himself to you. He will, no doubt about it.
Showing posts with label doubt. Show all posts
Showing posts with label doubt. Show all posts
Monday, April 21, 2008
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Questioning......
Luke 2 : 45-47 (New International Version)
45When they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for him. 46After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. 47Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers.
When Jesus was a boy, he stayed in the temple when his parents moved on. It took them 3 days to find him. He was asking questions and answering questions with an understanding that was well beyond his physical years. They were amazed.
Do you ever question why something happens? Why it happened now? Why? Why?, etc. and many times it does not seem like we get a good answer. Is it OK to feel unsure and want an answer even if it means questioning God?
I wrote this awhile ago when I was in one of those moods. It seems a little intimidating to question God. Maybe we need to remember from our school days...there's no such thing as a dumb question. For some reason, I felt like I was supposed to post this now. If it's for you, know that God is OK with the questions and you may not get the answer you want right now, but He'll listen and answer in a way you might not expect. Sometimes we look....but we don't see.
Why do I question?
Why do I doubt?
Why do I feel I need
to figure it all out?
You said I could question
You said I could ask
You said that you are up for the task
I don’t have to do it all on my own.
You made a promise
I’m never alone.
Help me not let my feelings rule
Know that you’re loving
Not far away or cruel
Search for answers inside the Book
You’re always around
I need to see when I look
kjjalsweet
10-19-07
Thinking of you and hugs too!
PS I can't even count the number of times that surrender came up today! On talk radio, in songs, in conversations with other people. Must be the word for 2008!
45When they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for him. 46After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. 47Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers.
When Jesus was a boy, he stayed in the temple when his parents moved on. It took them 3 days to find him. He was asking questions and answering questions with an understanding that was well beyond his physical years. They were amazed.
Do you ever question why something happens? Why it happened now? Why? Why?, etc. and many times it does not seem like we get a good answer. Is it OK to feel unsure and want an answer even if it means questioning God?
I wrote this awhile ago when I was in one of those moods. It seems a little intimidating to question God. Maybe we need to remember from our school days...there's no such thing as a dumb question. For some reason, I felt like I was supposed to post this now. If it's for you, know that God is OK with the questions and you may not get the answer you want right now, but He'll listen and answer in a way you might not expect. Sometimes we look....but we don't see.
Why do I question?
Why do I doubt?
Why do I feel I need
to figure it all out?
You said I could question
You said I could ask
You said that you are up for the task
I don’t have to do it all on my own.
You made a promise
I’m never alone.
Help me not let my feelings rule
Know that you’re loving
Not far away or cruel
Search for answers inside the Book
You’re always around
I need to see when I look
kjjalsweet
10-19-07
Thinking of you and hugs too!
PS I can't even count the number of times that surrender came up today! On talk radio, in songs, in conversations with other people. Must be the word for 2008!
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