God's affirmation when I doubt

DAILY BIBLE READING:

Deuteronomy 5:1-6:25
Luke 7:11-35
Psalm 68:19-35
Proverbs 11:29-31

BIBLE VERSE(S) FOR TODAY:

Luke 7:28 "I tell you, among those born of women no one is greater than John, but the least in the kingdom of God is greater than he."

REFLECTIONS ON TODAY'S BIBLE VERSE(S):

Have you ever had some doubts about your faith? I mean some serious doubts? Like, does God really exist? Or, does trusting Jesus really save me? Or, is the Bible really trustworthy?

Sometimes, if we have these doubts, we may keep them securely tucked away in the corners of our mind. We wouldn't dare let others know. Why? Because "good Christians" don't ever have such doubts ... or so we think.

In Luke 7, we read that John the Baptist sent word by way of his disciples to Jesus to ask if He was truly the Messiah. In Matthew 11:2-3, we come to understand that this happened while he was in prison.

"Now when John heard in prison what the Christ was doing, he sent a message through his disciples and asked him, 'Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?'" (Matthew 11:2-3)

So, John has been imprisoned. He had previously been telling people that the Messiah was coming and that Jesus was the Messiah. And like in Matthew, we read in Luke 7 that he's having some serious doubts.

We might not be surprised if Jesus responded by saying something like, "Oh, you of little faith." Or, "How in the world can you doubt Me when you were recently telling others that I was "the Lamb of God that takes away the sins of the world"?

But, Jesus doesn't do that. He knows that John is discouraged and confused as he sits in a prison cell. He's wanting confirmation that his beliefs are not misplaced. And he brings his questions to Jesus.

What does Jesus do? He reminds John the Baptist of who He is and what He has done (Luke 7:21-23). This evidence would bolster John's faith.

Further, as John's disciples were leaving to bring these words back to their imprisoned teacher, Jesus lavished praise on John the Baptist, probably so that the disciples of John could hear these words and encourage their teacher (Luke 7:24-28).

"I tell you, among those born of women no one is greater than John..." (Luke 7:28)

This is an important truth, friend. Are you going to have doubts from time to time? Sure. But, an even more important question is, 'What does God think of our doubts if we are genuinely on a pursuit of truth?'

All we need do is look at how Jesus responded to the doubting, discouraged John the Baptist. Jesus didn't rebuke him. Instead, He provided him with some answers and evidence and then He encouraged him.

Friend, don't ever let Satan cause you to wallow in defeat when you struggle with some aspect of your faith. He would love for nothing more than to convince you that you have disappointed your God. Nothing could be further from the truth! God will compassionately meet you where you are at and help you during that time. 

I think we really need to reflect on how much our God loves us even when we don't feel lovable!