Missouri is called the “Show Me State.” I guess Missourians have a reputation for believing only what they can see. However, there are many people today who when asked to believe something ”unbelievable” want evidence. That is especially so with Biblical events. They find it difficult to believe that Noah built an ark and there was a world wide flood, or hard to believe that Moses parted the Red Sea. They make fun of those who believe that three young men were thrown into a fiery furnace, and when they came out their clothes did not smell like smoke. They find it hard to believe that Daniel was not hurt by the lions when he was thrown into their den, or that a small shepherd boy felled a giant with a few small stones and a sling. It requires faith to believe these things actually happened.
So, what is faith? The writer to the Hebrews said, “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good testimony (Hebrews 11:1-2). He went on, “By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible.” God spoke, “Let there be light” and there was light (Genesis 1:3). God said, “Let the waters under heaven be gathered together into one place,” and “let the dry land appear and it was so” (Genesis 1:9). The things which are seen were not made with visible things. In other words, God who is invisible created something visible from nothing!
Still, people do not believe the truth of God’s word. Scoffers deny that Jesus performed many signs, wonders, and miracles, and most of all that Jesus was resurrected on the third day, a Sunday morning. One of the apostles didn’t believe! The apostle Thomas refused to believe Jesus was resurrected. He was not with the apostles when Jesus came the first time. Later, the disciples said to Thomas, “We have seen the Lord.” Thomas replied, “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 20:24-29).
After eight days Jesus’ disciples were again inside the room, and this time Thomas with them. Jesus came, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, “Peace to you!” Then He said to Thomas, “Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing.” Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Lord and my God!”Jesus said to him, “Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
Yes. Jesus was resurrected! Paul added this information, “He was seen by over five hundred brethren at once, also seen by the twelve apostles, and lastly Paul (1 Corinthians 5:6-8). There is no court of law that would deny an event occurred if there were over five hundred witnesses!! But we see though the eyes of faith, and know that these things happened just as they were written. We believe Jesus raised Lazarus after he was entombed four days. We believe Jesus commanded a raging torrent on the sea, “Peace, be still!” and it obeyed his voice. We believe the blind received their sight, hearing was restored to the deaf, the lepers’ skin turned pure and baby soft all because the Son of God came to earth, took the form of a man, and gave his life so we who obey Him could have salvation. Faith is a powerful thing! We cannot please God without it (Hebrews 11:6).
How do we increase our faith? Paul wrote, “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17). We immerse ourselves regularly in God’s word. Paul said, “Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong” (1 For 16:13).
Finally, we have two power-packed tools to help us build our faith: first, beginning our day talking to God in prayer. Second, letting Him talk to us through His word. It works every time!
Today’s Verse: So we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord. For we walk by faith, not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:6-7).
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By Teresa Hampton