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"EXCEPT I SHALL SEE" "The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe."(John 20:25)"Except I shall see." Poor ole Thomas, he's worn that moniker "doubting" ever since he asked for proof of our Lord's resurrection nearly 2000 years ago.Now, this chapter tells us the story about one long ago night on the first day of the week when the disciples were hiding behind closed doors for fear of the Jews and also for their lack of faith in Jesus' now forgotten promise about His resurrection. The risen Christ appears to the eleven. For 10 of His followers, (You'll recall that Judas had already hung himself) it was a night of shouting, but for Johnny come-lately to the party, Thomas, who finally showed up 8 days later wearing that robe of skepticism, it would be a time of doubting.But folks, are we any different today than Thomas was that day? How often have we questioned God's Word? How many times have we asked Him for a sign before we trusted His precious promises and obeyed His clear commands? Oh. to be sure, like that glorious hymn resounds with that wonderful refrain, ♫ Trust and obey, for there’s no other way to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey. ♫When daytime or nightfall surrounds us and our fears are about to strangle us, we would do well to remember that we have not only the Risen Christ among us, but also within us (Colossians 1:27).Christians will always have questions; but Christ will always have the answers! The answers to the questions that the worldly-minded crowd are asking for will not be found by looking for a sign to encourage their self-satisfying walking by sight lifestyle. As children of God, we have His inerrant Word of prophecy and promise for all things. 2 Peter 1:19 tells us, "We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:" Friends, let the perfect Word of God shine in those dark places every day and watch the day dawn and the day star arise in your heart. It is His sure Word of Prophecy and Promise that gives faith to those who cry out, "Except I shall see."