Faith Triumphs Over Doubt

"Today's Devotion" For April 10, 2007

Read: John 20:24-29; Hebrew 11:1-3

FAITH TRIUMPHS OVER DOUBT

"Then Jesus told him, 'Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.'" (John 20:29)

It's true that Missouri calls itself the "Show Me State." You've probably also heard the expression, "More stubborn than a Missouri mule." Both expression are highly descriptive of an attitude that many in our sister state, Missouri, like to cultivate about themselves and who they are. However, with all due respect and apologies to our fellow Americans living in Missouri, they don't have a corner on skepticism, stubbornness, or hard-headedness. Everywhere we look in our communities, states, and the nation as a whole, we see "Missourians" in every nook and cranny of the nation. Skepticism, doubt, and stubbornness are staples of American life.

This is especially true, it seems to me, when it comes to spiritual things - the things of God. People have their own perceptions concerning who God is, how He should think and act, and how people should respond to Him. Some would say that any concept of a God or gods is absurd. If there is a God, some ask, why are there wars and other calamities in which people die? I have an instructor in my doctoral program who challenges the efficacy of any religious beliefs, regardless of their origins - pagan or Christian - when so many horrible things have been done throughout history in the name of religion..

The questions of the doubters of religion, much less Christianity, are often heartfelt. People want God to "show me" He exists and that He's really making a difference in their world. Lost in the human concept of religion that sets ground rules for living and behavior, and convinced by their sinful condition that God is only a figment of our collective imagination, God becomes a non-entity, a fictitious being created by humanity's fertile imagination, to help us hide from our troubles, fears and all the many problems we face in life, including the apparent finality of death.

John reminds us that such doubting occurred even among the apostles. Thomas wasn't with them when Jesus first appeared to them on Easter evening. He didn't believe their report. His response was a typical "Show Me State" response - "Unless I see the nail marks in His hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe it" (v.25). When Jesus did appear again, and invited Thomas to do just what he said was necessary for him to believe Jesus was risen and alive, Thomas believed. He had seen Jesus and believed. Yet, Jesus noted that believing because he had seen wasn't the same as having faith when the object of faith is unseen.

We can take comfort and have peace because our faith in Christ is based on the eyes of faith. Only through the eyes of faith do we see Jesus. Only through the eyes of faith do we experience and receive the forgiveness of sins and the hope of heaven. Only through the eyes of faith do we take heart in the face of trials and tribulations, sharing Jesus' love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness with others. Faith triumphs over doubt as the Holy Spirit continues to work in our lives through the power of our Baptisms and the power of God's Word. While Thomas may have doubted and only believed Jesus had arisen from the dead because he saw Him, the Holy Spirit worked faith in the risen Christ in Thomas' heart. Millions of Christians in India trace the roots of their faith in Christ back to Thomas, whom, tradition tells us, was the apostle to India in the First Century. Not too bad for a doubter. Thomas' life and ministry remind us that faith triumphs over doubt - as it did for Thomas, so also will faith in Jesus do for us as well.

Prayer: Father, as I hear the many challenges to my faith in the newspapers, on television or the radio, and from those I meet each day, help me to meet them head on with the power of the faith in Christ Jesus You have worked in my heart by the power of Your Word and Spirit. Forgive me for succumbing all too often to my doubts and fears, losing sight of my Savior who died for me and rose again. Forgive me when I doubt Your Word as the logic and arguments of those who despise You and deny Your existence play on my heart and mind and get me looking for proof of Your promises instead of just believing them. Strengthen my faith, gracious Father, so that I may have a faith that will move mountains and a hope that is so certain that I may fearlessly and enthusiastically, filled with Your joy and peace, tell everyone what You have done for the world in Christ Jesus my Savior and Lord. So fill me with Your Word and Spirit that at all times in my life, faith triumphs over doubt. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
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--Pastor Boeck

Copyright © 2007 by Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.