“Where doubt breeds distance, love reunites faith and hope.”
Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – December 11, 2024
Then he [Jesus] said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.” Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!” John 20:27-28
My confession. These past two years recovering from cancer have been a journey of doubt, belief, doubt, belief. The recovery has been much harder than the treatment. Cancer free? Yes. However, the aftermath of becoming cancer-free has not been free of pain or doubts. I have felt like Thomas, in my words, “Lord, I just need to touch you, and I need a touch from you, please.”
Doubt does not mean you have walked away from the faith, but it may feel like faith has walked away from you. Life’s woes can drive a wedge between trust and your mind and heart. Feeling overwhelmed, recalling the days of strong belief in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior is harder. You may have once said, silently, even out loud, “Nothing will ever sway my devotion to my Savior.” Yet, a gigantic grief grips your heart. God has become distant and feels out of touch with your pain. Doubts riddle your prayers, “Where are You?” “Is your Word true?” “Why me?”
Unfairly, Thomas will ever be known as the doubter…Doubting Thomas. Yet, really? Let’s review the facts. Jesus did not upbraid Thomas, saying, “I can’t believe you doubted; you are not worthy of being my disciple.” Instead, His Lord looked him in the eyes and said, “Touch me.” Touch me and feel the evidence of my love for you…scarred hands, a pierced side…I suffered and died for you. Then Thomas’ gentle and lowly Savior calls him out of his doubt, “Stop doubting and believe.” And with that faith infusion, doubt expired, “My Lord and my God!” Faith explodes from the lips of… Believing Thomas. Yes, the disciple who truly believed.
C.S. Lewis, in Mere Christianity, illustrates his transition from doubt to faith, “I believe in Christianity as I believe that the Sun has risen, not only because I see it but because by it I see everything else.” Invite faith back to your view of the world and see. Make your heart hospitable to faith, and trust in your heavenly Father will return home. In your season of doubt, like Thomas, surround yourself with other authentic followers of Jesus. Draw on their faith where yours is absent. See Jesus in them. Their prayers for you. Their care for you. Their love for you.
Bring your doubts to God in prayer, honestly expressing your concerns and asking Him to strengthen your faith. Take small steps of obedience, even when uncertainty lingers. Faith often grows through action. Reflect on the Lord’s past faithfulness in your life, allowing gratitude to replace fear and trust to overcome doubt. Maybe, like my experience with cancer, something or someone has taken from you. A precious possession has been ripped from your life. A loved one. An opportunity. Money. Health. Marriage. A child. A job. Whatever your loss, please know that nothing can separate you from the love of God, as Paul announces in Romans 8:39. Where doubt breeds distance, love reunites faith and hope. Beautifully, trust requires no explanation as to why.
Prayer
Lord, in my seasons of doubt, remind me of Your faithfulness. Help me trust in Your plans, even when I don’t understand. Strengthen my faith and guide me toward Your truth. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Application
What has been taken from you that requires you to trust God’s love for you?
Related Reading
Isaiah 41:10; Proverbs 3:5-6; Mark 9:24; James 1:6
Worship Resource
Brandon Lake: Jesus Be Praised + Holy Are You Lord
Donate
If you are blessed by these daily devotionals please prayerfully consider a donation to support Wisdom Hunters Resources. We are trusting the Lord for His provision.
Download our app!
