Now Thomas (also known as Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.” A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.” Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!” Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” John 20:24-29 NIV

Thomas had questions that he wanted answered. He was not able to believe his beloved Lord and Rabbi was alive – simply based on another’s eyewitness testimony. Thomas did not understand events of the preceding week – the triumphal entry, the Last Supper, the arrest, the trial, the crucifixion of Jesus, and then the burial of His body. Even though Jesus had told his disciples that He came to suffer, to die and would rise again, Thomas still had questions.

Let’s look at another person who had questions. Job was a wise, wealthy, respected and righteous man who suddenly and without warning lost all his material possessions and all his children in one day. Then he was plagued by painful boils all over his body. Job had questions. He did not understand. Throughout the book of Job asked God what he had done to deserve the punishment he was enduring. 

“If I have sinned, what have I done to you, you who see everything we do? Why have you made me your target? Have I become a burden to you?” Job 7:20.

Job is unique – in that we as readers have the eternal perspective throughout the book. Job, on the other hand, did not. At the end of the book, God spoke to Job and gave him a better understanding of God’s sovereignty over everything. Job said it this way, 

“I know that you can do all things; no purpose of yours can be thwarted. You asked, ‘Who is this that obscures my plans without knowledge?’ Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know.” “My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you,” Job 42:2-3,5.

Job was never given a direct answer to his “why” questions, BUT he WAS given a better understanding of God, how he works and who He is.

Thomas was granted the answers he sought; he was given the exact proof he asked for. Do you ask God questions? When you do – know that God often answers us in different ways than we asked, or than we expected. But rest assured, know that if we continue to ask God our questions, HE WILL ANSWER. God will give us the answers WE NEED but not necessarily the answers we want.