Thursday, April 28, 2016
One night a house caught fire and a young boy was forced to flee to the roof. The father stood on the ground below with outstretched arms, calling to his son, "Jump! I'll catch you." He knew the boy had to jump to save his life. All the boy could see, however, was flame, smoke, and blackness. As can be imagined, he was afraid to leave the roof. His father kept yelling: "Jump! I will catch you." But the boy protested, "Daddy, I can't see you." The father replied, "But I can see you and that's all that matters." (Source: Donner Atwood)
It is a human tendency to believe only in what we can see, hear, touch, or understand. That is one reason why Thomas told the other disciples after they informed him that the Lord had risen: “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 20:25) But what did Jesus tell him after Thomas believed upon seeing him alive again with his own eyes? “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” (John10:29) Now that’s what faith is all about, believing even though we have never seen Him.
If you are like the little boy in today’s illustration and are going through such a difficult trial you just can’t see the Lord with your eyes of faith, take heart. Imagine it is your Heavenly Father who is telling you: “I can see you and that’s all that matters.” After all, the very fact that you’re still standing is a clear indication that God has been faithful to you. And since God does not change He will continue to be faithful. Trust Him!
Memory verse for the week: (Isaiah 41:10) “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
