James 1:5-6 If any of you lacks wisdom [to guide him through a decision or circumstance], he is to ask of [our benevolent] God, who gives to everyone generously and without rebuke or blame, and it will be given to him. But he must ask [for wisdom] in faith, without doubting [God’s willingness to help], for the one who doubts is like a billowing surge of the sea that is blown about and tossed by the wind.
Another thing in life that can break us is doubt—especially when we doubt God Himself. Perhaps the one person most closely associated with the word “doubt” would be the disciple, Thomas. Many call him Doubting Thomas because of his encounter with Jesus and the other disciples following the resurrection. The Scriptures record two distinct yet similar encounters. Let’s take a look.
The first situation took place when Jesus appeared to the disciples without Thomas. The door is closed and they are assembled and Jesus is suddenly in their midst. He says, “Peace be with you,” and then shows them His hands and His side. He also tells them that He is sending them out into the world as the Father sent Him. Jesus departs and they relate the story to Thomas after this incredible event. His response is what we remember. He tells them that he will not believe unless he sees the nail prints in His hands, put his finger in the nail holes and his hand on Jesus’ side where He was pierced with a spear on the cross.
Eight days later, the same scenario down to the last detail occurs and Jesus appears again, this time with Thomas in the room. Jesus immediately invites Thomas to look and see His hands and to reach out and touch His hands and His side. He says to Thomas, “Do not be unbelieving, but believe.” John’s gospel records Thomas’ response. He did not reach out and touch Jesus, instead he immediately fell down at His feet and said, “My Lord and My God!” Thomas immediately believes.
A Pastor once said, “Thomas had a moment of doubt, but he returned from that place of weakness to become strong. His doubts were allayed in one glorious moment of illumination – and so can yours.” It has been said, “Doubt your doubts and believe your beliefs.” Thomas took his doubts about Jesus to Jesus, and he was made stronger in his broken place. His doubt about Jesus was turned into a deeper faith in Jesus. Thomas didn’t stay a doubter. Instead, he took to heart the answer to his doubt and became a strong follower of Christ. What about you? Doubts and mistrust are the mere panic of timid imagination, which the steadfast heart will conquer, and the large mind transcend.
The grace of God flows over those who earnestly seek answers to their doubts with a readiness to believe.
Reflections: Dr. Dave Anderson says, “If you are going to turn to God for wisdom then stop your own inner raging. It’s the man who is debating his options vociferously within himself who is told not to expect anything. It doesn’t mean we should stop thinking about the trial completely. It means we should put to rest the furious debate that goes on in our hearts.”
- Doubts will attack us, but that does not mean that we are to allow them to master us. Those who doubt most and yet strive for answers to doubts turn out to be some of Christ’s strongest disciples. https://hope14me.org/weekly-devotion/
Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, I need You right now. I require Your help. Thank You for listening to me at this moment and for the assistance I know You will provide. Please grant me wisdom today. Show me when to say ‘yes’ and when to say ‘no.’ Help me to offload and delegate some of my responsibilities. Provide for me abundantly as I rest and trust in You.”
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