Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted.

Matthew 28:16–17 ESV

The disciples had seen thousands of miracles. They’d even seen the greatest miracle of all: Jesus resurrected after three days in the tomb.

And yet, here at the end of the Gospel of Matthew, we read that “some doubted.” Even as they worshiped and received the Great Commission, the disciples doubted Jesus.

Unbelievable—isn’t it?

It’s so easy to sit here with my Bible in my lap and gape at their lack of faith. After all, you and I would never struggle with doubt if we had seen and experienced what they had, right?

Well… Not so fast.

Remember the parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19–31)?

Read moreThe Enemy Jesus Battled to the End

Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.

Matthew 28:19-20 ESV

During my teenage years, I was at a weekend retreat with the youth group of a local church. The worship was great, the speaker was excellent, and the presence of God was there!

After the message, there was an altar time for people to give their lives to the Lord and to seek clarity and calling. I went up to the front because I wanted to know what God was calling me to do! As I tarried at the altar, I heard a pastor go up to the guy next me and say something along the lines of, “God told me to tell you…”.

Read moreWhat’s My Calling?

Their idols are silver and gold,
    the work of human hands.
They have mouths, but do not speak;
    eyes, but do not see.
They have ears, but do not hear;
    noses, but do not smell.
They have hands, but do not feel;
    feet, but do not walk;
    and they do not make a sound in their throat.
Those who make them become like them;
    so do all who trust in them.

Psalm 115:4–8 ESV

John Calvin famously said that “man’s nature is a perpetual factory of idols.”

He was absolutely right. And today’s devotional verses show us what happens through idolatry.

Read moreYou Are What You Worship