The Psalmist prays, "How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me?  ² How long must I take counsel in my soul and have sorrow in my heart all the day? How long shall my enemy be exalted over me?" (Psalm 13:1-3).  Who's your enemy? Many times, we think our enemies are actual people. We have people that gossip about us, people that cheat us, people that hate us, people that lie to us, betray our trust, and damage our conscience. When we think about having enemies, we have names and faces that accompany them.

 But, have you ever thought about your enemies. Look at Thomas today. Who was Thomas's enemy? It wasn't Pilate, Caiaphas,  Peter, or Saul. No, his enemy was his own doubt. Thomas's enemy was one he couldn't blame on someone else. He couldn't say the devil made him do it, or that the world pressured him into doubting. No. He doubted that Jesus had risen from the dead and was alive forever.  His enemy was one that never left him. His enemy was doubt and affliction. Thomas went so far as to say, "Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.” (John 20:25). And how did Jesus respond to this skepticism? How did Jesus reply to Thomas's blatant rejection of His resurrection? Did Jesus punish Thomas, or give him a good tongue lashing? No. Jesus came in peace and said, "Here, put your finger in my hands, and place your hand into my side. Stop disbelieving and believe. Trust in Me Thomas. Jesus didn't punish Thomas for his unbelief, but rather He forgave him and restored his faith. NO matter how great Thomas's unbelief was, it was overcome and covered in the Blood of Jesus in the forgiveness of his sins. 

This is for your comfort my friends. No matter how bad your Thomas Syndrome is, just like with St. Thomas, you are forgiven and restored in the Blood and Righteousness of Jesus. He doesn't repay your skepticism with wrath and displeasure. No, but instead Jesus comes to you in peace and grants you forgiveness, joy, and restores your faith anew and strengths your trust in His promises. Your enemy, the one that overcomes you on a daily basis, is overcome in the grace of Jesus and drowned in His blood. You doubts, anxieties, and worries are done away with in the voice of the Gospel. So, my friends, know that doubting is a reality that you will suffer in this life, and it is a real enemy. However, that enemy is overcome by Jesus, forgiven, and washed away in the blood of Jesus. You are forgiven and loved. Your salvation does not depend on your steadfastness, but rather is determined by the grace and mercy of Jesus which is the same today as it was yesterday and will remain the same forever. 

Peace be with you. May the devil be silenced, the world be hushed, and the Old Adam drowned anew so that you hear only the peaceful voice of your Savior Jesus who says, "I forgive you. I love you. I claim you as My own forever," Amen.

Jesus' Sheepdog