LORD I BELIEVE, HELP MY UNBELIEF

LORD I BELIEVE, HELP MY UNBELIEF
John 20 tells of the instance when Jesus appears to Thomas after the resurrection.  Thomas wasn’t with the others when Jesus came, so he had to hear it from them.  “We have seen the Lord, they said.”  

Thomas, doubting, said “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”.

A week later the disciples were at the house again and this time Thomas was with them.  Jesus appeared out of nowhere again and stood with them.  

Jesus told Thomas to “put your finger here; see my hands, reach out your hand and put it into my side.  Stop doubting and believe”.  Of course, Thomas said “My Lord and my God.”

Jesus told him “Because you have seen me, you believed, blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

You notice that the scripture doesn’t say that the disciples ran up to Jesus and tattle on Thomas.  I am sure they were just about as dumb-struck as they were the first time Jesus appeared to them out of nowhere.  

Jesus addressed Thomas because he already knew his doubts.  He knew his personality and everything else about him.   

I have read this scripture many times, but this time it struck a personal chord with me.  I think I would have been like Thomas.

I have been a question-asker since I could talk.  I remember when my Daddy passed away.  I was seven.  I don’t remember everything about it, but one thing I remember vividly.  When it came time to go the funeral home for the visitation, my Uncle Earl picked me up and said, “Now Debbie, when we get to the funeral home, if you have any questions, please wait until we leave and we will answer your questions then.”  

When he carried me up to the coffin, immediately I asked, “Why is he wearing a suit and several more questions after that.  Of course, I was a small child and they all knew it was my innocence asking these questions.  As an adult I know why he told me to wait.  It made my Momma cry.  

This personality trait of asking questions has followed me through my life.  I mean, I can really “beat a dead horse” once I get going.  

God creates us as we are.  He calls and equips us for the work He has for us to do for the growth of His Kingdom.  He uses our personalities and talents and gifts for the work He has planned for us to do.  But, God expects us to grow up and have faith and not question every single thing.  We don’t have to have all the answers, we simply have to have faith.

Faith is a gift from God.  Ephesians 2:8-9 “By grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God……….”

Jesus knew Thomas.  He knows me and He knows you. He loves us and sometimes he will address us through His word.

He did me through this story about Thomas.  

Mark 9:23-24 “Jesus said…. “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes…..Lord I believe; help my unbelief!!

For His glory,
Debbie