I Need Proof ! When doubt takes over. Devotions From the Edges.

I Need Proof

Pastor Calvin Cook – 4-28-25

Scripture Focus – John 20:24-29 “Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.”

I’m noticing something about people and honestly about myself. Even though we want to believe in something, there is still that level of doubt. This was the case of Thomas, one of Jesus’s followers. We don’t know a whole lot about Thomas other than he doubted. We can only assume that at times this doubt had separated him from the reality of Jesus.

When Jesus first appeared on the evening of the first day after the resurrection. Thomas was not there! The one who doubted and needed most to receive confirmation of Jesus resurrection was missing! Where was he? Scripture don’t really tell us. Was he still hiding away from the disciples, not to be known or associated with these disciples. Or had doubt taken such a place in his life that he had decided to hide out somewhere else, maybe was considering moving on or going back to what he knew best. Maybe he wasn’t ready to let go of the past. Was it that Thomas was maybe mixed up in his priorities and failed to see the Jesus way. If any of this sounds familiar, because this becomes a common thread in our lives today. When everything seems OK, yet we are walking away from what is important in the reality and scheme of things.

But yet we will see that Jesus cared so much that he found Thomas some days later and said to Thomas to satisfy the doubt that had taken over in his life. Again we see Jesus made it personal, and Jesus showed up.

This is what is happening in our lives today. Jesus is showing up to satisfy our doubt, change us into a people of hope and holiness and draw us away from the things that are seeking to kill and destroy us. Especially our faith!

The phrase “I will be your God, and you will be my people” appears in scripture many times. Usually around times of covenant and God is affirming His commitment to be our God. Asking us to be His people. Yet as I have been saying and will continue in saying, this is all contingent on us receiving all that God brings into and wants to do in our life. Are we at that place yet, where we will quit doubting and see God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit for who he truly is – or will we go on doubting?