A 'SEEING IS BELIEVING' FORM OF UNBELIEF
At Capernaum, there was an official whose son was ill. When this man heard that Jesus had come from Judea to Galilee, he went to him and asked him to come down and heal his son, for he was at the point of death. So Jesus said to him, 'Unless you see signs and wonders you will not believe.' John 4:46-48
Does witnessing a miracle build a solid kind of faith? It's not likely, according to Jesus. He laments here in this story that the world feels it needs to see concrete proof of His existence and power before it can possibily believe in Him. Nothing could be further from the truth. Jesus told Thomas that there are those who are willing to believe without seeing and they will be blessed in an even greater way because this kind of faith is rewarded.
Many hold out a fleece, then wait for God to indulge their expectations. If He does, they declare Him trustworthy. I know. I tried so many times in my life to work my faith that way. "If you just do this, Lord, then I'll know you love me." "If I see you come through exactly like I'm praying, then I'll know You are all-powerful." The problem with these kinds of prayers is that they are each rooted in unbelief. I may as well say, "I don't believe You, or Your Word. You need to prove Yourself to me and here's the test I'm setting up for You." Will God honor that? Not in my experience.
Faith is what pleases God; a belief in Him though it seems ludicrous. Do I have faith in His promises today though it may appear that He is inactive? Do I stand in the truth of His Word though circumstances would try to convince me that they are nullified? Do I trust Him with the most fragile part of my life even though I've experienced past pain there? This is the kind of faith that pleases God. None other.
No one faced more dire circumstances than Abraham; his son on the altar, the knife in his hand, led to the mountain by God, yet trusting God for a lamb. Amazingly, he chose to believe God and his faith was credited to him as righteousness.
Where does faith look reckless today? Where does it seem risky to trust? As I look at the decision before me to put my faith in God, churn in the valley of anxiety, or take matters in my own hand to play God in a particular situation, what will I do? Like you, the choice is monumental. Let's join hands today on the side of faith. I am willing to raise up my arms to praise Him without any sign of proof from Him that He is going to answer. Will you join me? I don't need to see with human eyes to believe. I have spirit-eyes.
Touch my eyes that I may see Your glory. Amen
