Doubting Thomas

By Gerald Hochstetler

May 1, 2023

The other day I used the phrase “doubting Thomas”  and referred to myself as such. I’m not a follower. I trust nothing without researching. I am not saying that is good, that is just who I am. 

I’ve done a lot of thinking about that. 

A baby is born and totally trusts those in charge, but when those in charge hurt the baby time and time again, after a while, the child draws back. That mis-trust settles deep into its being. 

Many of us view God through our early childhood experience. So here I am, with tendencies to doubt. Is it really that way? Is it really that good? Can I believe the Bible. These are things I've have had to work through. 

Thank God that we have a GOOD Father. He really is THAT good. He has pursued me since I was a child. He has worked overtime on my behalf. 

Maybe Thomas was also such a man. Is it really you, Jesus? Maybe Thomas had been hurt before, let down by those whom he had believed in. Jesus provided what Thomas needed. He said, “... Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing” (John 20:27).

Jesus said, “...blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed” (John 20:29). But Jesus, the kind man that He was, went out of His way for the doubter. 

A bruised reed He will not break and a smoldering wick He will not extinguish; He hovers over the smallest flame to keep it aflame. 

You may not be sure if you can believe or not.  Guess what? If there is even the possibility of faith, God is hovering over you and your circumstances gently blowing. The smallest possibility towards faith is still faith. There will be a flame. Yes sir! 

 

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