While reading my devotion this morning, I was reminded of the importance of trusting God, even when we cannot fully see the outcome of His actions. The essence of faith is not seeing but believing. None of us lived in the era of time to see our great Savior walk this earth and live a sinful, free, guiltless life. However, we have eyewitness testimonies about his life to help us believe, yet sometimes, it may pose a challenge. But may I encourage you to seek out the truth in God’s Word and have faith in the truth of the promises of God’s Word.
Have you ever struggled to believe, especially in something, without solid proof or realization? We see this exact scenario in Scripture with Thomas, one of the twelve disciples called the Twin. Thomas was not with the other disciples when Jesus came and spoke with them. The other disciples told Thomas they had seen the Lord. However, Thomas responded, “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(John 20:25)”. Afteward we read that after eight days Jesus came and appeared to them. The great gift of reading God’s Word is that even at this moment with Thomas and the other disciples, we see God’s love, grace, and encouragement from Jesus. Showing us that God is ever-present, He repeats Thomas’s words to him even though He wasn’t there when Thomas said it. The Lord instructs Thomas not to be “unbelieving but believing(John 20:27)”. The Lord’s response to Thomas is an encouragement of faith for us today. “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed(John 20:29)”. Our belief in the unseen is our faith. True faith is trusting in God and His promises without physical certainty of its evidence.
Understanding Doubt
Doubt is a proven natural part of being human. It can appear in different situations, making us hesitant and questioning our decisions, beliefs, and abilities. Faith doesn’t mean we never question–it means we bring all our concerns and questions to the Lord our God, who has all the answers. It’s His will for us to know His will and understand His ways and Word. Many of those closest to Jesus had moments of uncertainty, fear, hesitation, and confusion throughout Scripture. However, we see from Jesus’s response in many of these moments that it is not to doubt but to believe.
God’s Written Word Helps Us Believe
Again, none of us lived in the era of Jesus, and we didn’t get to see with our own eyes our great Savior walk this earth. Nevertheless, we have the incredible gift of testimony- God’s written Word. The eyewitness accounts of His life’s story, the outstanding witness accounts of the miracles He performed, and the great encounters He had with others during His physical time here on the earth. “But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, that believing you may have life in His name(John 20:31)”. May you be encouraged to believe God’s Word and trust that every verse is an invitation to believe His promises and know Him deeper. Every part of God’s Word, the Scripture, is given to assist and aid us in our faith journey. “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, reproof, correction, instruction in righteousness,(2 Timothy 3:16)”.
Faith Requires The Daily Decision To Trust God
Jesus’s response to Thomas is a daily encouragement for you to keep believing. “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed(John 20:29)”. You’re blessed because you believe and have not seen. The essence of faith is not seeing but believing. “God doesn’t require us to have all the answers; He asks us to trust the One who does.” We must trust God even when we can’t fully see or understand the outcome. We can trust that He fully knows and understands our needs and the best outcome for each of us. Maybe you’re going through a difficult time right now, not understanding the season you’re in, or perhaps you’re unable to grasp the direction the Lord is guiding you to take. Even if God seems distant or His promises seem deferred, you don’t have to rely on your feelings; instead, you can continue trusting God. You don’t lose points for trusting Him. His Word and His promises are true. “Forever, O LORD, Your word is settled in heaven(Psalms 119:89)”. Remember: the absence of evidence is not the absence of God.
Powerful Ways to Strengthen Your Faith Daily
Here are some powerful ways to help you build yourself up in the Lord.
- Soak Your Heart in Scripture– Let the truth of God’s word fill your heart daily. Allow the scripture, by the power of the Holy Spirit, to remind and encourage you of your true identity in Christ Jesus. “By this we know that we abide in Him, and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit(1 John 4:13).”
- Pray Honestly– Psalms 145:18, The Lord is near to all who call upon Him, To all who call upon Him in truth.
- Community– surround yourself with other believers and be encouraged to know you’re not walking alone. Life in Christ is a journey; ask the Lord to put the right people in your life.
- Remember God’s faithfulness– The Lord is forever faithful; use a journal to record those moments when God showed up in your life, even in the smallest ways.
Be Encouraged
Even when you don’t feel strong, you are. Even when you feel uncertain and don’t understand, you walk in faith and believe even during difficult times. Jesus is the same yesterday and forever! He’s with you. Remember, “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed(John 20:29)”. You’re blessed because you believe! The essence of faith isn’t in seeing; it’s in believing, even when the evidence is still unfolding. The absence of evidence is not the absence of God.