Daily Power #272

“Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.” (John 20:27)

Wanting proof is nothing new. Even if you don’t know much about the Bible, chances are you’ve heard of doubting Thomas. It’s interesting to me that there are only twelve verses in Scripture that mention Thomas, and yet he’s been labeled for centuries as one of the world’s biggest doubters, when in reality, that was only a very small portion of his story.

The rest of Thomas’s story gives us hard evidence that great doubters can become people of great faith. After Jesus died on the cross and rose from the dead, Thomas said he wouldn’t believe it unless he could see proof that the risen Christ was the same Master he’d known before the crucifixion. Instead of Jesus’ getting mad at him and casting him aside for his lack of faith, Jesus gave Thomas exactly what he needed to believe.

Maybe you can relate to Thomas’s longing for certainty at this season of your life. You don’t understand everything about God. Some things in life don’t add up to you at this point. You have questions. Lingering doubts. Some spiritual reservations. You may even be committed to following Jesus, yet you still hold back part of yourself, wondering if God really has your best interests at heart.

Thomas learned there’s a difference between believing in and believing. Thomas believed in Jesus. But once he touched his Lord, once he had his questions answered, once the tension was resolved, Thomas no longer just believed in Jesus. He believed him.

Power Lift

Lord, I release my doubts and choose by faith to believe you are who you say who are. Thank you for helping me move past my doubts as I grow closer to you.