Why We Miss God’s Voice on a Dusty Road | Mark 16:12-14

Welcome to The Daily, where we study the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, every day.

Today’s shout-out goes to Mark Noftsinger from Roanoke, VA. Thank you for your generosity and partnership in Project 23. This one's for you today.

Our text today is Mark 16:12-14:

After these things he appeared in another form to two of them, as they were walking into the country. And they went back and told the rest, but they did not believe them. Afterward he appeared to the eleven themselves as they were reclining at table, and he rebuked them for their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they had not believed those who saw him after he had risen. — Mark 16:12-14

Two disciples walk along a dusty road, their hearts heavy with grief. A stranger joins them, yet they fail to recognize Jesus. Later, their excitement spills out as they report the encounter to the others—only to be met with doubt. That evening, around a familiar table, Jesus stands among the eleven and gently rebukes their unbelief.

God’s power isn’t limited to the sights we demand. He meets us in unexpected ways to stretch our faith. Yet our hardened hearts often cling to proof over promise. When Jesus rebukes our doubt, he invites us to trust the faithful witnesses share.

In everyday life, we often wait for grand miracles before we step forward. At work, we ignore a colleague’s sound advice because we need more evidence. In a family, we question a friend’s good intentions, looking only for what we can prove. In our spiritual walk, we often dismiss the testimonies of those who have experienced God’s power firsthand. But real faith is not passive; it’s action on the word of trusted witnesses. Faith in motion means obeying before we have every detail—leaning into what we’ve heard, not just what we’ve seen. When we choose to trust the voices God uses, we open ourselves to deeper encounters with him. So live with more faith today.

ASK THIS:

1. Have you ever ignored someone’s story of God’s work because it didn’t match your expectations?
2. What doubts keep you from accepting what fellow believers share?
3. How does Jesus’ gentle rebuke challenge your need for constant proof?
4. In what area of your life can you choose to trust what you’ve heard, even without seeing it yourself?

DO THIS:

Reach out today to a friend who has shared a testimony of God’s faithfulness—listen carefully, thank them, and ask how you can pray for them.

Lord, soften my heart to receive truth from those you use as your messengers. Help me to trust and obey, even when I haven’t seen every proof.

"Cornerstone."