We've all heard "seeing is believing", meaning that we need some evidence or proof before we have faith or trust that somehting is true; however, if you grew up around other believers, you've probably also heard that faith is believing what you can't see.
Scripture tells us that much in Hebrews, "Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see." (Hebrews 11:1).
I'm sure you've experienced doubt in your faith at some point, I know I have. So have many other believers, even strong ones from the Bible.
Thomas, one of Jesus' deciples, for example doubted that Jesus had risen even after Jesus had told him he would just that:
"Now Thomas (also known as Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!”
But he said to them, “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 2-:24-25)
Sarah and Abraham doubted that God would give them a child when they were already old and baren:
"So Sarah laughed to herself, saying, “After I am worn out, and my lord is old, shall I have pleasure?” Genesis 18:12
Hear David's thoughts in the face of fear, even after God promised to deliver Him:
"But David thought to himself, “One of these days I will be destroyed by the hand of Saul." 1 Samuel 27:1a.
These are just three examples of people in the Bible who doubted God, or His plan or His message. Not to mention Zachariah, Job, and the entire Israelite nation! They couldn't see or wanted to see, some evidence or proof to believe.
This time of year there are always christmas movies on tv and most of them have something to do with the "Magic of Christmas". I've seen so many plots where Sants's sleigh won't fly because not enough people believe in him. I've seen elves get sick because kids don't believe in their magic. You have to believe for the magic to be real. Here's the thing about my God though, He works, even when you don't believe. His faithfulness doesn't depend on on your faith. Your belief is for your benefit, not His.
However, when you do believe, man will you ever see. You will see is trustworthyness and righteousness all over the place.
So, this Christmas season, I pray that God will open our eyes to see His faithfullness, to see His righteousness, to see His truth, because we believe in His son Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ who came to this world in impossible circumstances (born of a virgin Matthew 1:18), lived a perfect life (1 Peter 2:22), fulfilled prophesies and died the death all sinners deserve (Isaiah 53:5 and 1 Peter 2:24).
Oh come let us adore him.
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