They Needed Proof

Warriors Arise: July 5th, 2020

There are just some things that just seem totally unbelievable no matter who is telling you. The people who came and told the disciples, "Jesus is alive" were all reliable people. They were people the disciples knew and were a part of their company; but their minds could not accept what their ears heard. It wasn't that they were calling them liars. The error was completely on their part. What they needed to believe as truth needed proof.

God in all His wonderful mercy, sent Jesus back to His disciples. They were struggling and needed proof. They were being asked to believe something they didn't have a grid to follow. How many people have lost someone they dearly loved and followed only to be haunted by the sounds of that person, the memories of that person, hoping their was some way they could return. And here, Jesus had returned. Was it only wishful thinking? It couldn't possibly be true.

But God intervened. The disciples were not planning to go to Galilee, which is where Jesus wanted to meet them before going on to heaven. The angel had told the three women early that morning, who went to the tomb to anoint Jesus. They told the disciples but none went to Galilee.

There are times when God tells us to do something once and He expects us to get up and do it. There are times when God says, "I am sending you and no one else." In this case, you had been just get up and go, because He isn't going to change His mind (i.e. Jonah, Moses, Gideon). In this case, it was the disciples who needed to get up and go. They needed to go to Galilee to meet with Jesus there, but they needed proof.

Mark 16:14 (NKJV) Later He appeared to the eleven as they sat at the table; and He rebuked their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they did not believe those who had seen Him after He had risen.

Luke 24:36-43 (NKJV) Now as they said these things, Jesus Himself stood in the midst of them, and said to them, “Peace to you.” 37 But they were terrified and frightened, and supposed they had seen a spirit. 38 And He said to them, “Why are you troubled? And why do doubts arise in your hearts? 39 Behold My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself. Handle Me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see I have.” 40 When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His feet. 41 But while they still did not believe for joy, and marveled, He said to them, “Have you any food here?” 42 So they gave Him a piece of a broiled fish and some honeycomb. 43 And He took it and ate in their presence.

Jesus came back. He stood in their midst. He spoke familiar words, "Peace to you." Before they couldn't believe what they heard through the testimony of others, now they are struggling with believing what their eyes see. He spoke familiar words. He rebuked them for not believing those who had seen Him. He called them out for having a hard heart and He showed them his hand and feet. But they still thought He was a spirit. What else could He do...so He asked for food. Which I think it totally funny, "I have nothing else to say but I can't leave until you believe so, it's been a tiring day and I am hungry." Isn't Luke 24:43, peculiar? "And He took it and ate in their presence." They needed proof, maybe they would look long enough or there would be something familiar as He ate. Maybe eating would help them to believe He is flesh and blood and not a spirit. They needed proof and Jesus provided the proof they needed.

Father, I ask for You to provide the proof people need to know You are who You say You are. I pray for people all over the world to recognize You. I ask when they recognize You that they would receive understanding of the love You have for them. I ask for those who are fighting the coronavirus to be healed in the name of Jesus. I ask for those who have lost loved ones to the coronavirus to be comforted with Your arms of love wraped around them and peace to their minds. I ask for the ears of those researching for a cure to hear You speak. I pray they would position themselves before You. I pray You would intervene in all who are caught up in the lies of the protests and riots. I pray for truth to come and set those held captive by the lies to be set free in Jesus' name. I ask for You to bring solutions necessary to get us out of blaming others for the way we have chosen our lives to be lived. I ask for people to take responsibility for their actions. I ask for Your redeeming power to be released all over the world. I ask for restoration to begin and communities to stand together, honoring one another, and for believers to know how to demonstrate Your love. People have lost because of the coronavirus, gone a little crazy with the pandemic, and gotten way out of hand with the protests and riots. Many solutions that are coming are not from You. I ask for You to guide each community leader to think about the solutions they are entertaining. I ask for each one to seek You. Even if they don't ask You, I am asking on their behalf, please speak to each one. I ask for You to speak clearly and bring about solutions that will better our communites. I pray for those who are sick or fighting diseases during this time. I pray they would see You and know You value them. Their sickness may seem so insignificant to the world but not to You. Come and touch their body, bring healing in Jesus' name. I ask for those whose businesses are collapsing because of the pandemic and rioting to get a Word from You. I ask for You to guide each business owner who doesn't know what to do with their business. You are the God who cares. You are the God who guides and leads Your people. Come and speak to You people 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.