Second-Guessing God

Then they asked him, “What must we do to do the works God requires?” Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.” So they asked him, “What sign then will you give that we may see it and believe you? What will you do?” – John 6:28-30

John 6 is a pretty popular chapter in John’s gospel because it talks about the miracle of Jesus feeding the 5,000 and His miracle of walking on water on the Sea of Galilee. It’s a pretty jam-packed chapter. And while I have heard the stories of these miracles several times in my life, something new stuck out to me as I was reading this chapter the other day.

After Jesus has performed these two miracles, He was talking to a crowd in Capernaum, explaining to them that He was the bread of life. In other words, He was all they needed to be satisfied. He was all they needed to live a life of purpose, and if they wanted to complete the work that God the Father had prepared for them, all they had to do was believe in the one He sent (Jesus).

The part that struck me came next in the story, around verse 30. After Jesus had explained the concept of the bread of life, the people asked Him, “What sign then will you give that we may see it and believe you? What will you do?” (John 6:30).

I honestly had to go back and read that part again because I couldn’t believe what I was reading. Did they really just ask that question? Did they really ask Jesus for a sign after everything that had just happened? Right before this conversation, Jesus had miraculously fed approximately 15,000 men, women, and children, with the biblical equivalent of a Lunchable. And then He proceeded to walk on top of the Sea of Galilee like He was some kind of ghost. And these people were asking for a sign that would help them believe in Him?

What more did they want? What more could Jesus possibly do to prove that He was the Son of God? What other acts or signs could He possibly perform to secure their trust? I couldn’t wrap my mind around how they could so quickly forget how Jesus came through for them before and question Him again.

But then, the Holy Spirit gently nudged me as He often does when I start to get judgmental towards people in the Bible. I knew at that moment that I shouldn’t be so hard on these people because I’ve done the exact same thing. I’ve seen the Lord come through for me. I’ve seen Him provide in miraculous ways. I’ve seen Him prove His trustworthiness, and then before I can turn around, I’m questioning Him again.

Have you ever done this? Have you ever experienced the faithfulness and goodness of God in one circumstance, only to wonder if He’s capable of helping you in another situation? If you have, you’re not alone. I’d venture to say that most followers of Jesus struggle with this. But the good news is we don’t have to struggle with this. If we find ways to intentionally remember how God has come through for us before, it will be a little easier to believe He’s going to come through again.

This can be as simple as thinking back on how God has been faithful in your life recently. Maybe you keep a list of the things on your phone that He’s done for you. Maybe you keep a prayer journal or a gratitude journal. Or maybe you take pictures that remind you of moments of God’s faithfulness.

Whatever it is, I’d encourage you to find a way that helps you remember God’s faithfulness. Don’t get in the habit of asking the same questions the Israelites did. Instead, when it comes time to expect God to come through, have confidence because you remember how He’s been faithful and trustworthy before.