Devotional—Lord, Help My Unbelief

Then [Jesus] said to Thomas, “Put your finger here. Look at my hands. Put your hand into my side. No more disbelief. Believe!” Thomas responded to Jesus, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus replied, “Do you believe because you see me? Happy are those who don’t see and yet believe.” John 20:24-28 CEB

By the Spirit, our risen, ascended Lord is with us always. And through his presence, he extends to us his peace (shalom), even in the most trying circumstances. Do we, trusting in Jesus, receive that peace and so live into it? I suppose we’d all have to answer, “sometimes.”

There are times we doubt the reality of God’s presence. At those times, perhaps we, like Thomas, want a physical sign to prove Jesus is with us. Or perhaps we are like the father of the demon-possessed son who Jesus reached out to help, yet the father cried out to Jesus, “I believe; help my unbelief” (Mark 9:24 NRSVUE).

To overcome our unbelief, we cannot just try harder or insist that God give us a physical sign as proof he can be trusted. We can look to Jesus, God’s ultimate sign, and trust him as our representative High Priest to do something quite amazing — believe for us.

Yes, Jesus, who in his representative humanity, perfectly and fully trusts in God. He shares that trust (his faith) with us. And so, in times of doubt (which we all experience) we can go to Jesus in prayer.

Prayer
Jesus, help me in my time of doubt. Allow me to believe that you truly are the risen Christ. Help me see how you are present with me today in this circumstance. Lord, grant me your faith. Grant me your peace. Lord, I believe, help my unbelief. Amen.

By Ted Johnston, Grace Communion Seminary Faculty
Foley, Alabama, US