Devotional
Thomas
may be viewed as one of the most unfortunate disciples because every
time we hear his name, we think of the word “doubt.” Even though Jesus
spoke about his resurrection to the disciples many times prior to His
death, and even though the other disciples tried to convince him, Thomas
needed hard proof.
Here is the good news: Thomas overcame his doubts. He eventually went to India and preached the gospel there. Today, there are many believers in India as well as a shrine to this disciple. Thomas was ultimately martyred by spears for his faith there. Though he doubted at first, he did not remain a doubter. On the contrary, Thomas was a great man of faith who changed nations through his ministry.
Doubting is a part of our human condition. We all doubt, but we need to overcome our doubts as people of faith. If you are dealing with doubt, God is not your enemy. He is actually your very best friend. Jesus never expressed hostility toward those who doubted Him. He was not hostile toward Nicodemus, the Pharisee who came late at night with sincere questions. He was not hostile toward Mary and Martha, who questioned why He did not come in time to heal their brother Lazarus.
Jesus did not reject Thomas for having doubts. You may have doubts today, but God is not offended by questions or struggles of faith. He knows they exist, and He wants to be a part of the process of our doubts becoming faith. However, this will not happen if we try to hide our struggles from Him. Some people feel as though God is going to punish or reject them for their doubts, so they pretend everything is fine. Please understand this: if you are doubting but you are sincerely seeking God, you have a friend in Jesus.
Romans 10:17 says, “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” Turn your doubt toward God and trust His Word—not skeptics or unbelievers—to resolve it. When you are sincere and honest about what causes you to doubt, God will guide you in assurance to the truth of His Word.
Do your doubts about God keep you from taking your questions to Him? In prayer, tell God what doubts you are struggling with. He already knows but desires you to acknowledge them to yourself and confess them to Him.
Here is the good news: Thomas overcame his doubts. He eventually went to India and preached the gospel there. Today, there are many believers in India as well as a shrine to this disciple. Thomas was ultimately martyred by spears for his faith there. Though he doubted at first, he did not remain a doubter. On the contrary, Thomas was a great man of faith who changed nations through his ministry.
Doubting is a part of our human condition. We all doubt, but we need to overcome our doubts as people of faith. If you are dealing with doubt, God is not your enemy. He is actually your very best friend. Jesus never expressed hostility toward those who doubted Him. He was not hostile toward Nicodemus, the Pharisee who came late at night with sincere questions. He was not hostile toward Mary and Martha, who questioned why He did not come in time to heal their brother Lazarus.
Jesus did not reject Thomas for having doubts. You may have doubts today, but God is not offended by questions or struggles of faith. He knows they exist, and He wants to be a part of the process of our doubts becoming faith. However, this will not happen if we try to hide our struggles from Him. Some people feel as though God is going to punish or reject them for their doubts, so they pretend everything is fine. Please understand this: if you are doubting but you are sincerely seeking God, you have a friend in Jesus.
Romans 10:17 says, “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” Turn your doubt toward God and trust His Word—not skeptics or unbelievers—to resolve it. When you are sincere and honest about what causes you to doubt, God will guide you in assurance to the truth of His Word.
Do your doubts about God keep you from taking your questions to Him? In prayer, tell God what doubts you are struggling with. He already knows but desires you to acknowledge them to yourself and confess them to Him.
