Doubt

Scripture: "Now Thomas, (called Didymus), one of the twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord!"
But he said to them, "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." (John 20:24-25)

I have "The Apologetics Study Bible" that reads, "Contrary to popular opinion, doubt is not always sin. Nor is it necessarily the opposite of faith nor the product of weak faith. It is experienced by many believers in scripture, such as Abraham, Job, David, Jeremiah and John the Baptist. And almost all believers, as well as unbelievers, experience doubt at times. As strange as it seems, doubt can produce positive results, and many doubters are very much in love with the Lord." - Gary R. Habermas

It is my personal opinion that Thomas has received a bum rap over the years for doubting Christ was resurrected from the dead. The phrase "Doubting Thomas" conjures up negative images of one who does not believe, lacks faith or lacks wisdom. The tone used when citing "doubting Thomas" is often of shame or scorn.

All through the bible we see examples of those who have doubted God, starting with Adam and Eve, when the serpent (satan) made Eve doubt what God meant by not eating fruit from a particular tree. Abraham and Sarah doubted God when He told Abraham he would be the father of many nations, despite Sarah being advanced in age and barren. Even Peter started to walk on water with Jesus, but when he took his eyes off Jesus and looked out at the wind, he started to sink.

What was God's response to these individuals' display of doubt? God showed Adam and Eve the consequences of their sin, and they were tossed out of the Garden of Eden. But one must note that it was not doubting that was sin. It was acting contrary to God's commands that was sin; when Eve ate the "forbidden fruit" and shared it with Adam, in essence, sharing her sin with him. Abraham and Sarah also doubted God, and Abraham created a child with Sarah's servant Hagar. They would later have Isaac together despite their doubt. And Peter, as he sank, Jesus reached down and grabbed him, and said, "You of little faith, why did you doubt?" And yet, interestingly enough, Peter does not carry the shroud of scorn and shame for his doubt.

I believe the Lord has compassion for doubt. It is in our doubt that we ask the important questions, we seek the answers, we seek proof, we look for more. I don't think God frowns on that.

When Thomas displays his doubt, I love how Jesus speaks to him. He doesn't chastise him, shame him, tell him he is no longer an apostle because of his doubt. Instead, He tells Thomas, "Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe."

Depending on how you personally interpret the scriptures, you can read this as if Jesus was annoyed, or full of compassion. I choose to read this as Christ's encouragement to Thomas. Throughout scripture, it is not the Lord's character to tear down character, but to build it up.

Just as Thomas' desire was to see the Lord's hands, feet and wound in His side, the Lord will extend His hands and feet to you as well.

Don't be afraid to ask the Lord straight up, "Help my unbelief." We serve an incredibly compassionate God. Doubt does not hurt His feelings. It's what you do with it. And when you doubt, the best thing you can do is seek Him. He will show Himself to you in new and unexpected ways.

Prayer: Lord, help us all to work through our doubts, when they come to mind. Instead of beating ourselves up, help us to be real with You in sharing our feelings. Show Your face to us. Help our unbelief. Encourage us in our doubt. Amen.

Prayer request: For God to show Himself to those of us who need a little boost in our faith.