02/18/2022
As Christian’s we believe in all of God’s Holy Word, and the gospel of Jesus Christ. We don’t do this because we have seen God, or touched Jesus, (although a few have claimed they have), but out of faith, and as a result of our faith we are blessed time and time again. Each morning when I rise my first words are “Thank you Father for this day, and your many blessings.” I pray this way because I know His blessings are coming. I may face any number of trials, or endure great hardship today, but I know that I am not alone, and that He will bless me in everything I encounter, not out of some foreknowledge of what the Lord has planned for my coming day, but out of my faith in His Word, and because I believe in Him, and His Son Jesus. So… How is our faith today? Are we trusting in God to bless us? Do we find Him in the midst of our storms, and do we walk to Him held afloat by our faith?
“Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.””
John 20:29 ESV
We read this account of the disciple Thomas who was more than just reluctant to believe that Jesus had risen after he had been crucified; no, he was adamant that he would not believe unless he saw and felt the wounds of Jesus for himself. For this reason we call him Doubting Thomas, but aren’t we all a little like Thomas? When we have lost a loved one, or a prayer hasn’t been answered to our satisfaction, is our faith at the pinnacle of its strength? If we find ourselves in a spiritual wilderness do we believe without questioning, or do we ask “Father, why have you abandoned me?” Perhaps our faith remains strong, but for many the answer is no we are not at the peak of faith, and we wrestle mightily with our faithfulness. Listen again to Thomas…
“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.””
John 20:25 ESV
Thank God That Jesus didn’t leave Thomas in that state of disbelief, and He doesn’t leave us there either. Like lost sheep Jesus comes for us, and calls our names. He lifts us from the crevices we have fallen into, or frees us from the thorns that have caught us. Yes, He comes to us just as He did to Thomas…
“Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.””
John 20:26-27 ESV
Thomas still had the remnants of his belief. He still believed in many of the teachings of Jesus, but not in His resurrection. It took the return of Christ, and for Thomas to place his hand in His side for his full faith to be restored. This was the blessing. When we find our faith waning, or we are wandering lost in the wilderness, what must we be shown on our eighth day to restore our faith? What is our blessing?
Jesus did a similar thing when He raised Lazarus from the dead, and restored the faith of Martha. Listen to what they said to one another…
“Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” Martha said to him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.” Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” She said to him, “Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world.””
John 11:23-27 ESV
Then Jesus called Lazarus from the tomb. Martha believed in who Jesus was, but didn’t understand the resurrection either. Listen as He calls Lazarus out from the tomb, and pay close attention to His prayer before He does so…
“So they took away the stone. And Jesus lifted up his eyes and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this on account of the people standing around, that they may believe that you sent me.” When he had said these things, he cried out with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out.” The man who had died came out, his hands and feet bound with linen strips, and his face wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Unbind him, and let him go.””
John 11:41-44 ESV
Jesus loved Lazarus, but this miracle wasn’t about restoring his life to him as much as it was a lesson in faith for Martha and the others. This was the blessing, and for us of faith, it still blesses us to this day. When we lose a loved one, what Is our blessing in that terrible moment of loss? Do we even look for it, much less trust that it is there, or is coming? Do we believe that Jesus will walk with us on our sad or torturous roads, and bless us there?
One final example today… the road to Emmaus. Sometimes Jesus comes to restore our failing faith when we least expect it, and many times we can only see this blessing by looking back. Only in hindsight do we recognize what a blessing He has given us. Listen to the two disciples when they suddenly realized who they had been walking with on the road to Emmaus…
“When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed and broke it and gave it to them. And their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And he vanished from their sight. They said to each other, “Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?””
Luke 24:30-32 ESV
So I ask again… How is our faith today? Are we trusting in God to bless us? Do we find Him in the midst of our storms, and do we walk to Him held afloat by our faith?
Prayer:
Father, thank you for this day and your many blessings. Thank you for your Son Jesus who you sent to redeem us, and for not abandoning us to our sin. Help us in our unbelief Lord, and open our eyes to see the blessings you shower us with each day. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God who is with us always, and who comes to us, and blesses us in our darkest moments of doubt, just as you do in our times of complete faith, and true belief. Praised be your name for the love you have for us, and the blessing of grace we receive through Jesus. Merciful are you who rescues us from the causes of doubt, from our most sorrowful mourning, and our lowest moments of faith that prompt us to walk away from Jerusalem. Your grace is sufficient indeed, and our faith rides victorious upon its shoulders. Wash us clean in the blood of your Son Jesus, and feed us the bread of His body to make us whole, and as one with Him who we remember always. Announce us as worthy on judgement day, and see only the image of Jesus when you look upon us. Call us your children and your heirs as you seat us at your table where will will dine in your presence forevermore.
“Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.”
1 Peter 5:8-11 ESV
Rich Forbes