Warriors Arise: July 20th, 2020
Warriors Arise: July 20th, 2020
John 20:24-26 (NKJV) Now Thomas, called the Twin, one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 The other disciples therefore said to him, “We have seen the Lord.”
So he said to them, “Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe.” 26 And after eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, “Peace to you!”
Thomas has waited eight days, not knowing when or if Jesus would return. The rest of the disciples were with Thomas. I still cringe at this. Did anyone go to Galilee? Jesus had a lot of followers and disciples. Did any of them say, "Thomas, the angel sent a message to us, Jesus will meet us in Galilee. Let's go and wait for Him there."? Maybe someone did try to talk with Thomas but none of the disciples went because "His disciples were again inside".
Again the song, "No Turning Back" runs through my mind.
Though none go with me, still I will follow.
Though none go with me, still I will follow.
Though none go with me, still I will follow.
No turning back.
No turning back.
I marvel at how none of the disciples went on to Galilee; they all stayed with Thomas. We do not see in any of the gospels what they were doing while they waited. They just waited. Jesus had come into their midst and reveal Himself to His disciples. It was not Jesus' fault that Thomas was not there. For whatever reason, Thomas had left. He missed it but rather than jumping on board with what they were supposed to do, to go where he knew Jesus would be, he planted himself in Jerusalem and would not be moved unless Jesus came so he could put his hands in the nail holes.
The disciples had no reason to doubt the message from the angel once Jesus appeared in their midst. I wonder how long we wait when God has told us He will meet with us, speak to us, and direct our path. How long will we remain obstinate, resisting God's commands? We are to love God with our heart, soul and mind. We are to love our neighbor as ourself. How are you showing this to your neighbors? Will you continue to let them believe a lie? How long will be wait on God to come and take care of the mess we have so willingly allowed? How long will keep hating someone, for instance the president, when what we hate is really that he is a Republican? Isn't that a form of prejudice. People hating people without cause, without facts. As a Christian, if we hate someone then we are told to pray for them. Are you praying for the president? I marvel at how many hate without facts, without reason, just to hate. How long with you wait to deal with the issue in your heart?
Thomas had an issue in his heart that needed to be dealt with. Maybe Jesus didn't come right away, because He is God. He will not be controlled by the whims of man. Maybe Jesus didn't come right away because Thomas needed time to deal with his own heart. Even if Jesus had shown up maybe Thomas would still choose not to believe. I marvel at how people do not even want to hear the facts. They listen to a particular phrase that has been pulled out of something that was said and then make themselves a seasoned critic, thinking they know what was behind what was being said. Why is it that people want to remain ignorant?
Maybe Jesus showed up when Thomas wasn't there because Thomas would believe the truth anyway. Have you ever shared the truth with someone and they still didn't believe you? Have you given them proof and they still didn't believe you? People will believe what they want to, because they do not have their minds set on the things of God. How long will you wait before you get yourself in a position to seek God for the truth? How long will you wait before you get yourself in a position to hear God tell you the truth? How long will you wait before you get yourself in a position to humble yourself when the truth has been revealed?
I am trying to understand, but I am struggling. In this case, the struggling is good because it pricks my heart in such a way that when I receive instructions from the Lord I have determined to respond immediately. Two days ago, I shared that Jonah waited three days and three nights in the belly of the big fish BEFORE he prayed to God. Yeas ago, when I read that, it changed me; it caused me to repent quickly every time I chose not to do as the Lord had instructed. Then I learned to quickly do as the Lord instructed the first time, why wait until I am in the belly of the fish before I decide to repent and return to what the Lord had instructed?
I am trying to understand why Thomas waited eight days. Eight days is all he had to wait before Jesus did come. But Jesus did not say He would return to the disciples in Jerusalem. The message was for the disciples to meet Him in Galilee. How many times does Jesus have to return to you to tell you what you have already been told? Thomas, along with the other disciples are being obstinate. It is a quality they need to put in a different place but not toward God.
Father, I have been obstinate toward You. There are times You have revealed Your plan and I didn't follow through. I let it pass not willing to admit that what I was really doing was telling You, "No". I ask for You to forgive me. I was wrong to let it go, to tell You, "No". I ask for You to quicken in me anything I can make right. If there is anything You have told me to do but I haven't done. Please make it known to me. If it is too late for me to walk where You told me to go I ask, "Please You forgive me"? I pray for my heart to be totally devoted to You. I ask for my mind to yield when You are speaking. I pray I will not be obstinate toward Your plan. I ask that I will be ready when You tell me what You want me to do. You know what is best. I am sorry for all of the times I have sat waiting for You to return to where I never left. I am sorry I did not go and meet You where You were at work, where You wanted me to join You in expanding Your kingdom here on earth and demonstrating Your love. I ask for You to speak to me again. Tell me where You would like me to join You. What would You have me do? Where would You have me go to demonstrate Your love? I ask for Your guiding hand to be upon me and Your voice to be clear. I pray for my heart to be full of passion for Your people and compassion to reach them with Your love in Jesus' name amen.
A Warrior in the Lord’s Army,
Veridee Joy
My hope is for Believers in Jesus Christ to join together each day to pray, to push back the enemy as we release God’s power here on earth against the coronavirus. The prayers will be listed each day as Warriors Arise. I will put a date with it so we can keep them straight. If you have any questions please feel free to make a comment or private message me. If you would like this to come to your email directly please go to verideehand.com and subscribe.
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