
John 20:25 "(Thomas) said to them, 'Unless I see the nail marks in His hands and put my finger where the nails were, ...I will not believe.'"
Our name is Thomas, for we too have had our moments of doubt. We too have refused to believe the testimony of others, preferring sight to faith. We too have placed limits on God's ability to perform. We too have prescribed to God the exact conditions under which we'd accept His truths.
And because we have been where Thomas was, it is good to see Christ's sensitivity toward doubters. Jesus came to deal especially with the doubter. He did not reject him. Christ faced Thomas with love and forgiveness. He followed minutely the prescription that Thomas had laid down as absolute: "Unless...I will not." Christ does not cast off even the most arrogant doubter with his or her unreasonable demands.
When tormenting and disquieting doubts besiege and assail us, we can with joy recall the understanding and completely forgiving attitude of our Lord in dealing with "doubting Thomas." We remember how He led him, step by step, to the glorious confession: "My Lord and my God" (John 20:28), and then assured him that his doubts had been overcome and replaced by genuine faith. Oh, the blessed patience of Him who died for us and rose again!
PRAYER: Gracious and patient Savior, we thank You for removing our doubts and renewing us in our faith in You. Amen.
(Taken from "Words of Promise," copyright 1996, Concordia Publishing House (out of print). For information on other devotional materials, call 1-800-325-3040.)
Today's Bible Readings: Ruth 1-4 Luke 17:1-19
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