I was talking to a Broward Sheriff Officer I know who works in Deerfield Beach. I told him that he almost caught me speeding a few days before that. I told him where he was, and that he had just pulled the person a few cars in front of me over. Of course, I was bragging because I got away with it and the other person did not. However, he said something to me that stuck with me and I will never forget what he said. He said very plainly, “You speed because you don’t see the results of it every day.” I kind of blew it off with that whatever attitude, but then I began to think. Why do I have to see the results of speeding to make me drive the speed limit? I know what kind of things can happen, and I don’t have to see it to believe it. Then, I began to think about God’s word and what the Bible has to say about so many different things that are relevant to my life. I began to think about all the things I have learned from the Bible. Doubting Thomas got his nickname because he was the doubter and he had to see it to believe it.

JOHN 20:26-29

26 Eight days later, the disciples were together again, and this time Thomas was with them. The doors were locked; but suddenly, as before, Jesus was standing among them. “Peace be with you,” he said.

27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and look at my hands. Put your hand into the wound in my side. Don’t be faithless any longer. Believe!”

28 “My Lord and my God!” Thomas exclaimed.

29 Then Jesus told him, “You believe because you have seen me. Blessed are those who believe without seeing me.”

NLT

The emphasis throughout the Gospel of John is on believing. There are nearly 100 references in this Gospel to believing in Jesus Christ. The Bible says that “faith comes from hearing the word of God,” not from seeing with your eyes. We do not only believe what we see, but, we believe what we cannot see. We have faith in our God. The Bible also says that “without faith, it is impossible to please God.” We must have faith to please God, yes, but we must believe. If we have to see in order to believe, then we are looking for a sign that requires no faith at all, on our part, only sight. If we are looking for something we need to see in order to believe, then what will happen when we see something that is the opposite of what we want or what we are praying for? We not only believe and have faith in things that we cannot see, but we also need to have faith when things actually look bad and when we are praying for one thing, but the exact opposite is happening. We need to have faith in God’s word and trust Him. Do not quit, do not give up, and never give in. Keep Praying!

Tony Guadagnino is the pastor at Christian Love Fellowship Church.