WHEN DOUBTS AND EXPECTATIONS ASSAILS YOUR FAITH

SCRIPTURE:

“John’s disciples told him about all these things. Calling two of them, 19 he sent them to the Lord to ask, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?” 20 When the men came to Jesus, they said, “John the Baptist sent us to you to ask, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?'” 21 At that very time, Jesus cured many who had diseases, sicknesses,s, and evil spirits and gave sight to many who were blind. 22 So he replied to the messengers, “Go back and report to John what you have seen and heard: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor. 23 Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.” (Luke 7:18—23)

OBSERVATION:

              John was not sure if Jesus was the one that came as a forerunner of his coming. John is in prison and probably wondered about Jesus. John sent two of his disciples to Jesus and asked, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else? John seems frustrated with hearing so much about Christ who will come and do this and do that, but he hasn’t done anything for his situation. He is sitting behind bars with a death sentence over him. John’s expectation of Jesus wasn’t so positive. We know that because Jesus told John’s disciples to tell John of “Go back and report to John what you have seen and heard: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor.” And then Jesus added, and tell John; Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me. 

              In other words, John started to be offended that Jesus was doing all the good things for others, but what about him who came as a forerunner? The good question is, how do we deal with unmet expectations? What do we do when we start to doubt Jesus? Jesus points to the works that he did that John should know about. Jesus told the disciples to go and tell John what they have seen and heard. 

              I am learning more and more that when my doubts and expectations start to assail my faith, I must first LISTEN TO JESUS. Secondly, I must SEE WHAT JESUS HAS DONE. Jesus has done so much in my life. He has done miracles, provided for all my needs, given me a great life, and much more. Jesus had to tell John’s disciples to tell John everything they had HEARD AND SEEN. 

              These two truths will help us not focus on the negativity of our circumstances but Jesus’ promise in his WORD and SEE what Jesus is doing and has done. When we fail to hear Jesus’ WORD and SEE what Jesus is doing and has done, we will be offended by Jesus because of the severity of our situation. Never lose sight of what Jesus is doing when we face difficult situations. Keep our EYES OPEN, AND OUR EARS ENGAGED in Jesus’ word.

APPLICATION:

              I am encouraged to know that Jesus has done much more than I am grateful for. I will continue to journey with Jesus with my EYES AND EARS open to what he is doing. I choose not to be offended and stumble by Jesus even if my prayers are not answered in the way I expected, for I know He knows best.

PRAYER:

              Jesus, please teach me to be grateful and trust your word daily. I pray that you teach me to fix my gazed-on things that you are doing and have been doing in my life. Help me to hear you more over the sound of my doubts and fears. Help me when I doubt I look to you and trust your ways. I lean on you, Jesus. Lead me and guide me when the time of doubts starts to assail my trust in you. Amen!