Closer Than You Think: A 5-Day Devotional by Jonathan TraylorParaugs

Closer Than You Think | Day 3 We Come Alive

What was once dark,

Now shines with light

Your glory fills the atmosphere

Your presence always meets us here.

We Come Alive

When Jesus initially appears to His disciples after His resurrection, one of His disciples, Thomas, wasn’t there to see it. I can only imagine what it was like to experience the death of Jesus. Every day that Jesus remained in the tomb, murmurs grew louder. I wonder how much faith it took to keep believing even as people who once believed started to fall away in unbelief. Thomas is usually associated with doubt. Even after all of his experiences with Christ, he needed proof that the Messiah had indeed risen. Doubt is a pretty harsh description. I like to think that Thomas wanted his own testimony.

I resonate with Thomas’ need for direct evidence and reassurance. Have you ever needed God to make Himself known to you for your faith to reignite? If there’s anything that we can learn about the character of Christ through Thomas’ doubting moment, it’s that He cares enough to show up.

I wrote the song “We Come Alive” out of a season of questioning. I had been serving in ministry for years and I had always been sure. Sure in my faith, sure in my convictions, and sure in God’s plan for His church. I was sure until I wasn’t sure. I was sure until I found myself waiting for God to move how and when I wanted Him to. I needed God’s presence in a moment when He felt so far.

If you have ever beaten yourself up for needing extra reassurance of God’s presence, know that you are not asking for anything God won’t gladly give His child. His glory fills the atmosphere and meets you where you are.

In John 20:25 Thomas tells the others, “If I don’t see the mark of the nails in His hands… and put my hand into His side, I will not believe.” That sounds like a plea from the heart. “God, I need you to be evident in my day today”. Check out what God does for Thomas! A week later, Jesus appears to them again and this time invites Thomas to put his hand into His side.

In that moment, a spark is ignited in Thomas. “My Lord and my God!”