Believing is easy when things are good.
The challenge comes as difficulties mount.
When our bank account is full, our hearts are usually filled with praise. Notice I said “usually filled.”
When we have "more month than money". . .we’ll things are a bit different . . . since we’re not seeing the blessings.
John 20:24-25 in the New King James Version says:
“Now Thomas, called the Twin, one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 The other disciples therefore said to him, “We have seen the Lord.”
The 12 were not always giants of faith.
Remember they, too, were overwhelmed by doubt when Jesus was crucified and buried.
In verse 24, testifying that Jesus was alive was easy for them. They had the advantage of having seen the already resurrected Lord.
John 20:25 in the New King James Version says:
“So he said to them, “Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe.”
It is likely that the last image Thomas had of Jesus was of Him being interred in the borrowed tomb.
Thomas was going through an unimaginably difficult crisis of confidence. He had seen the miracles...and the death.
Thomas believed Jesus was The Messiah. It was probably inconceivable to him that death would or could really claim Jesus.
When the other disciples testified of the resurrection, Thomas said he would not believe until he could run his finger in the nail print and touch the pierced side.
John 20:26 in the New King James Version says:
“And after eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, “Peace to you!”
I don’t believe it is far-fetched to imagine there may have been strife between the disciples during the next eight days.
The only proof of the resurrection that would satisfy Thomas would actually be a face-to-face encounter with Jesus.
John 20:27 in the New King James Bible says:
“Then He said to Thomas, “Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing.”
How many times have we questioned, ignored or even scorned Jesus?
Oh, we may have never done so in an actively disrespectful manner … however, how many times have we behaved as if His promises were not really true?
His grace is an amazing thing! Today, He still says, "Do not be unbelieving but believing!"
John 20:27 in the Classic Amplified Bible concludes by saying:
“. . .[stop your unbelief] and believe.”
Should we ask ourselves if Jesus is saying the same thing to us today?
Do we really believe that the promises in His Word apply to each of us?
Do we believe what He promised He will deliver?
Do we have a little Thomas in us?
John 20:28 in the New King James Version says:
“And Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Lord and my God!”
Repentance always moves the heart of God.
Thomas was simultaneously shamed and inspired.
His words validated the Messianic claim, "My Lord and my God!"
When we have prayers answered is that our response?
"My Lord and my God!"
Do we give Him the proper credit for all His blessings manifested in our lives?
John 20:29 in the New King James Version says:
“Jesus said to him, “Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
Jesus did not rebuke Thomas but He did correct him.
He declared that Thomas was enjoying a blessing because of what he was seeing.
But, Jesus made a promise to us that is an especially strong one in difficult times and trying circumstances.
He said: “. . .Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."
Too many believers can only see the obvious. If you must see something to believe it. . .then you’re moving in the wrong spiritual direction.
The enemy’s greatest weapon against those things we can’t see is doubt.
Doubt and do without. . .are the results of unbelief. Not believing what you can’t see.
Matthew 13:58 in the Amplified Bible says:
“And He did not do many works of power there, because of their unbelief (their lack of faith in the divine mission of Jesus).”
If we ever doubt that God is a miracle working God. . .then we will live our lives without manifesting the power and promises of God.
Mark 11:23 says:
“For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.”
Our faith. . .our confidence in the Word. . .brings miracle manifestation into our lives. But if we doubt. . .we will do without.
Doubt. . .will make you question. . .what it is you really believe.
Here are two powerful nuggets.
First, never let what your eyes see determine what your heart believes.
Second, the world says if you can see it you can believe it. . .whereas, the Word of God says if you can believe it. . .you will see it.
One of our daily prayers should be to see things that are not as though they were.
Romans 4:17 in the Classic Amplified Bible says:
“As it is written, I have made you the father of many nations. [He was appointed our father] in the sight of God in Whom he believed, Who gives life to the dead and speaks of the nonexistent things that [He has foretold and promised] as if they [already] existed.”
The question is. . .do we follow this Biblical instruction on a consistent basis?
Do we speak to those things that are not. . .as though they were?
Are you speaking to that raise or promotion you’ve been expecting?
Are you speaking to those loved ones who are not yet saved?
Are you speaking to your bank account. . .and to your bills?
2 Corinthians 5:7 in the Classic Amplified Bible says:
“For we walk by faith [we [a]regulate our lives and conduct ourselves by our conviction or belief respecting man’s relationship to God and divine things, with trust and holy fervor; thus we walk] not by sight or appearance.”
When you’re obeying God’s word. . .always remember.
God is doing more for you right now that you can’t see so that He can bring into manifestation the things you can see.
Personalize the scripture until it speaks to your heart:
God is doing more for <<Your Name>> right now that <<he/she>> can’t see so that He can bring into manifestation the things <<Your Name>> can see.
I realize this is a statement I frequently repeat and I’m going to continue doing so until it becomes rhema in each of our lives.
Miracles and faith go hand in hand.
Believing what you can’t see isn’t just about you. . .it’s about those around you who observe your faith on a daily basis.
By believing and moving in faith. . .you become the miracles others do not see.
John 4:48 in the Amplified Bible says:
“Then Jesus said to him, Unless you see signs and miracles happen, you [people] never will believe (trust, have faith) at all.”
This verse confirms the importance of signs and miracles in the unsaved believers in Jesus.
I feel led to say this again. . .believing what you have not yet seen. . .while moving in faith. . .is the best way to experience miracle manifestation as you witness to others.
BLOG COMMENTS POWERED BY DISQUS
Harold Herring