lowers, “There cometh one mightier than I after me, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to stoop down and unloose.” There are some tremendous les sons here for our lives today. Have you ever wondered about the reality of God? Have you asked, “Does He care anything about me? Is the Bi ble true and the revelation of God?” We need to learn about the causes for doubt so that we can guard against them. First of all, spiritual doubt does frequently come to the life of a be liever. It is one of Satan’s subtle temptations. Often this is a result, as in John’s case, of our misconcep tions. Remember that John the Bap tist, in his fiery passion and preach ing, had told the crowds of the Mes siah who would be a stem Judge, laying the axe to the root of the tree. With a fan He would purge the threshing floor, and bum the chaff with unquenchable fire. Jesus, how ever, had been doing deeds of kind ness and mercy. It surely seemed like a paradox. We’re confused and bewildered when things don’t turn out as we expect them to. Keep in mind God doesn’t do for us what we desire or expect. We don’t like to give up our prejudices and precon ceived notions. Sometimes what we doubt is really not the Christian faith at all, but our erroneous ideas about it. We must have the right concept about the promises of God and His Word. The same is true with the person and work of Christ and of the life to come. John had pointed out Jesus as the Lamb of God. In his burning devo tion, he was willing to renounce his own popularity. That’s no little thing for any man. Our motto should also be, “Christ must increase, but I must decrease.” John not only lost his prestige as a mighty prophet but also his courageous teachings had put him behind bars. Doubt came creeping in. Some Bible teachers
might not permit John to appear as a doubter. They look for other rea sons for his questions. But it wasn’t merely that he meant to strengthen his followers’ faith in the Messiah. Let us not de-humanize John the Baptist. Dark doubts may arise be cause of something actually selfish in our own lives. A businessman may lose money because of his stand ards of integrity. The devil comes along whispering that he’s a fool. It’s so easy to feel sorry for oneself. John’s doubts may also have been due to his troubles. Here he was in prison because he tried to serve the Lord. If Jesus was the Messiah, sure ly He would come with great power to deliver him. But there was no indication of rescue. The devil cast suspicion over his soul. Do you ever brood about the dreams and hopes of yours which have gone wrong? Personal trial is a most fertile field for faithless feelings. Some poor souls have become bitter throughout a lifetime as a result. We need to be ready for trials when they come. The Lord alone can give us the strength in our hour of need. How wonderful to see that John the Baptist went straight to the Lord Himself for help. He didn’t seek the opinions of others. He had the ques tion carried to the only One who could answer. Too frequently do we coddle and nurse our frustrations. We like them almost too much to give up. See how Christ deals gently with honest doub ters. He understands when we’re troubled in heart, mind and spirit. Having sent John’s dis ciples back to him with a message which would surely cure his doubt, the Saviour turns to the crowd around him for further guidance and light. He doesn’t condemn John. He gives him a eulogy. Here were words to heal John’s wounded soul. This is how He deals with us when our doubts are honest and our search for a cure is sincere. Go right to Christ 17
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