DOUBT DISSOLVES WHEN DEPENDING ON GOD’S WORD

DOUBT DISSOLVES WHEN DEPENDING ON GOD’S WORD

Now when John heard in prison about the deeds of the Christ, he sent word by his disciples and said to him, “Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?” And Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them. —Matthew 11:2-6

Truly, I say to you, among those born of women there has arisen no one greater than John the Baptist. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. —Matthew 11:11

            Being in prison can negatively affect thinking.  Look who John was and what he said about himself— “I am the voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way for the Lord’” (John 1:23).  And this is the testimony that John had given already given about Jesus—

Then John gave this testimony: “I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him. And I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’ I have seen and I testify that this is God’s Chosen One.” —John 1:32-34

            Now that John was in prison, he was doubting all that he had said.  Why would he be in prison if Jesus was indeed the Messiah?  Would the Messiah really leave him in prison?  John did not think that life should go this way if Jesus was Who He said He was.  John was questioning what he had believed.  He was doubting.  Or, as some might say today, “If Jesus really loved me and is Who He says He is, then I would not be in this situation.”  Many think like that today— “If God really loves me/us, then this would not be happening.”

            So, what did John do in His doubt?  He wanted to hear what Jesus would say so “he sent word by his disciples and said to him, “Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?”  Then Jesus sent back this response— “Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them.”  John heard the message from Jesus and was encouraged.  When we doubt, we need to go listen to God’s Word to be encouraged.  If we do not listen to what He says, then we can remain in our doubt.  His Word bolsters our faith. (John 30:31; Matthew 7:24-27; Romans 10:17).

            What did Jesus say about John’s doubts?  Well, after sending the message back to John that would strengthen and encourage him, Jesus said, “among those born of women there has arisen no one greater than John the Baptist. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.”  Jesus did not reprimand John for doubting.  No, instead He encouraged John with what he needed to hear.   So, if we, or someone is doubting, then the Word of God is the solution to doubt.  Depend on what God says and not our wrong thinking!

Yes, Dear Father, may I wait on You and Your Word and trust what You have to say fully and not my own faulty thinking.  May this be so in the power of Your Holy Spirit and in the authority of Your Son Jesus.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PsQmsEE_2-s