Salvation — Tuesday
TODAY’S VERSE
John 11:12-16
The disciples said to him, “Lord, if he has fallen asleep, he will recover.” Now Jesus had spoken of his death, but they thought that he meant taking rest in sleep. Then Jesus told them plainly, “Lazarus has died, and for your sake I am glad that I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.” So Thomas, called the Twin, said to his fellow disciples, “Let us also go, that we may die with him.” (ESV)
I didn’t really have a personal faith until my teenage years. And during that time in my life, Christian music was instrumental in that faith journey. These artists were icons to me, soldiers of the faith that weren’t ashamed to speak out about their Savior and Lord. The band that had the most impact on me was dc Talk. I remember listening to their cassettes and CDs and God speaking to my heart through the words in their songs.
Then, in 2021, Kevin Max wrote online that he had been “deconstructing” his faith for decades. In 2025, Michael Tait confessed to living a double life and years of deception and sin. Two-thirds of the band that was the most influential to my spiritual growth had admitted to not being who they said they were. To this day, it makes me sad, angry, and heartbroken.
Which is why I am so thankful God allowed verses like this to be in the Bible. The disciples were God’s chosen followers, so of course, we would assume they are among the wisest and smartest people of the day. On one hand, it makes me laugh. They are dorks just like me. They say dumb things. They routinely miss the point. Yet, they become the most influential group of people who have ever lived. How?
Because they weren’t in charge, I can read the story of Peter denying Jesus, and it doesn’t rock my faith. I can read how Thomas doubted Jesus’ resurrection, and I don’t recoil. I’m thankful God puts interactions like this in the Bible because it reminds us that no matter how “important” or “significant” we might think we are, we’re not the ones in charge. Thomas, one of the twelve handpicked disciples of Jesus, needs a savior as much as the rest of us. The most reassuring thing is that neither Michael Tait nor Kevin Max nor Thomas nor Scott Nickell nor even the president of the USA is in charge. God alone is in control.
And that’s really the point. Our faith was never meant to be built on people—it’s built on Jesus. People will fail us. Leaders will disappoint us. Even the people who helped shape our faith can fall short in ways that shake us. But Jesus never will.
The same God who worked through confused, flawed disciples is the same God who is still at work today. He doesn’t need perfect people to accomplish His purposes—He just needs willing ones. So when people let us down, it doesn’t have to shake our faith; it can actually strengthen it, because it reminds us exactly where our hope belongs.
APPLICATION
Take a moment today to ask yourself: Where have I been putting my trust? Is your faith tied to a person, a pastor, a leader, or even your own ability to “get it right”? If so, it’s only a matter of time before that foundation cracks. Instead, shift your focus back to Jesus. Spend time with Him today—read His Word, pray honestly, and remind yourself that He is the only one who will never fail you.
For some, that next step might be coming back to church, and we can’t wait to see you. Learn more here.
PRAYER
God, help me to fix my eyes on You and trust You fully in every area of my life. Strengthen my faith and remind me each day that You alone are in control and always faithful.