BELIEVING IS SEEING!

Oh so you think I have that backwards!  Really!

I Peter 1: 8

"Though you have not seen him, you love him;
and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy."   NIV

Thomas was the one who set the bar on "But let me touch the hole in your hands, and then I will believe."  So to him it was "I need to see it to believe it."

Jesus had so wanted them and us to believe without seeing him.  Most of the disciples and people back then got to see, hear, and touch him.  We do not have that privilege.  Think of what it is like for a blind person.  Think about what it is like to have seen and then go blind.  Think about what it is like to see it but not get it. 

Another version:

I Peter 1: 8

"You love him even though you have never seen him.  Though you do not see him now, you trust him; and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy."  NLT

Both verses put an emphasis on trust, believe, rejoice with an inexpressible joy that even though we don't see him physically, we could be physically blind, and know he is there.  He is here.  He is inside
me. 

When I was reading this morning from a new author's daily devotional, I came to terms with the fact that she is physically blind.  She travels the world speaking and writing.  Gets on airplanes and depends on people sometimes to tell her what is happening and why.  She is married and raising two children.  Not many of us would sign on for that to be a part of our destiny.   Yet, here we are most generally saying, "Well, if He would just tell me what to do, where is He when I need Him?"  "How long do I have to go through this. . .?

As long as it takes to believe and then see His hand was in it all along.  It even turned out better then you could have dreamed.  I learned that one the hard way and a long time ago.  BELIEVE IT!  Jesus Christ, Lord and Savior knows it all and has a plan.  The trial - that despicable period of time you went through or are going through will stop.  How you ask?  When you believe that He has a better plan and that this is just preparation for you to do better things, be stronger, be tougher, and grow you up.  TRUST me, I have been there and am still being prepared at times.

Next time -  What does it mean to be still and wait on God!