Be merciful to those who doubt; (Jude 1:22)

In the life of most, if not all believers, there comes a time of doubt. Scripture does not neglect these doubts, but in many ways addresses them. There are times in Scripture we are told not to doubt. (see Matthew 14:31,21;12; Luke 24:38; Romans 14:23; James 1:6) There are also many places where the doubts of a follower of Jesus are addressed.

Let us begin with the one disciple who is known by His one-time of doubting, Doubting Thomas.  It is after the resurrection and all the disciples are present except for Thomas. Jesus makes His first appearance to the disciples, and they are overjoyed.

Later when the disciples are together along with Thomas, they express that they have seen Jesus. Thomas does not believe them. He says, “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.” (John 20:25b) Thomas has spent three years with these men and with Jesus. Now, he does not believe them when they say Jesus has risen.

Now a week later all the disciples are present, and Thomas is with them. Jesus appears in their presence and says to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.” (John 20:27) Thomas’ eyes were enough proof, because Thomas responded, “My Lord and my God!” (John 20:28) Jesus met Thomas in the midst of his doubt.

A second story of Scripture involves both the forerunner of Jesus, John the Baptist, and Jesus Himself. John was the very first to acknowledge that Jesus was the promised Messiah. “John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! This is the one I meant when I said, ‘A man who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’ I myself did not know him, but the reason I came baptizing with water was that he might be revealed to Israel.” (John 1:29-31) When John baptized Jesus this happened: “As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him.  And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” Matthew 3:16-17) John would record John the Baptist his own testimony of this event, “I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him. And I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’ I have seen and I testify that this is God’s Chosen One.” (John 1:32-34) At this point John has no doubt that Jesus is the Messiah.

Sometime later, John was arrested by Herod. While he was bound and in prison, he sent two of his disciples to ask Jesus, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?” He has gone from publicly acknowledging Jesus as the Messiah to a time of questioning of his own position.

Jesus said of John, “Then what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is the one about whom it is written: ‘I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.’ Truly I tell you, among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist.” (Matthew 11:9-11)

Through John’s own disciples, Jesus sent back to John confirmation of Who He is by what Jesus was doing, which was what the Messiah would do. “Go back and report to John what you hear and see: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor. Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.” (Matthew 11:4-6)

If John the Baptist and Thomas had times of doubt, then all of us should take heart when we struggle with doubts.  In the cases of both John the Baptist and Thomas, Jesus either sent a message or came to meet them in the midst of their doubts. They really wanted and needed an answer. Jeremiah the Prophet during some of the most difficult days when the people of Judah went into captivity and the people of Israel were scattered. Here reminded the exiles, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremaih 29:11) Jesus has plans for us also, “My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you?  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.” (John 14:1-3) Jeremiah gave the people directions and how to overcome their doubt because of the difficult situation they were in. He wrote, “’Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,’ declares the LORD.” (Jeremiah 29:12-14)

How do we overcome our doubts? We seek God. We seek Him through His Word. We spend time in prayer to Him. We do this with our whole heart. God promises you will find Him. In my own life, during my education, I went through a time of deep doubt. Yet, as I sought Him with what I was feeling and what I was going through. He met me and in His grace confirmed that He is here and that He is with me through the wonderful gift of Jesus. May He meet you where you are as you walk with Him.

In the Love of Jesus,

Michael Block