Dear Mom,
Have you ever had days in your life when the only prayer you could muster was that prayer of the desperate father in Mark 9:24, “Lord, I believe, help my unbelief?”
When it seemed like my world was falling apart, and nothing made sense, this was my familiar prayer.
If I had the opportunity to sit and have a heart to heart with John the Baptist, I’m sure he would wholeheartedly share how much he can relate to that. Because he too, had his moment of “Lord, I believe, but help my unbelief.”
Do you remember that moment in John’s life? He was in prison awaiting the executioner’s sword. And to say his life didn’t end up with the way he thought it would, is quite the understatement.
The first chapter of Luke describes John as the one who will go before Jesus, in the spirit and power of Elijah. Perhaps you recall how Elijah left this earth? He was translated from earth to heaven. In other words, he didn’t die. He was taken up to heaven alive. But, now John the Baptist’s earthly life is about to end tragically and violently. Not exactly an Elijah ending. Not exactly how he thought his life would turn out.
Luke chapter 7 pours out the narrative of how John called for two of his closest friends to come to him. He asked them to go to Jesus and ask Him, “Are you the One who is to come, or should we expect someone else?”
That’s a pretty amazing question coming from the one whose sole purpose was to “prepare the way for the Lord.” This coming from the one who saw first hand, the Holy Spirit descend on Jesus like a dove. And now, in his painful, uncertain humanness, he simply longs for an assurance that Jesus really is who He says He is.
I can picture John’s faithful friends going to Jesus on his behalf.
“Pardon us, Jesus, but may we talk to you for a moment?”
“Your cousin, John, um … he kinda wants to know if you really are who you say you are.”
Jesus’ initial response was outrageously wonderful! Scripture tells us that He immediately began to perform miracles.
Made the blind to see.
The deaf to hear.
The lame to walk.
And then Jesus turned to John’s friends and said, “Now, go to John and tell Him what you have seen today.”
And as if it couldn’t get any better, the most extraordinary declaration takes place. Jesus turns to the crowd and calls John the Baptist “the greatest man ever born to a woman!”
No doubt, John’s life didn’t end up the way he thought it would. I can relate to John the Baptist in the sense that I too thought my life would end up much differently than it has.
Perhaps you can relate?
You never expected to experience rejection, loss, betrayal, deep hurt, pain, deep disappointments, that 2:00 a.m. morning phone call that rocked your world, senseless circumstances, that terminal diagnosis, your marriage to suddenly end, the prodigal child who chose to forsake God, and all you taught him/her about Truth …
In spite of it all, do you know what I love most about John the Baptist? When he needed assurance and peace, and comfort, he went to the Source! He went to Jesus, Himself.
And guess what?
Jesus wasn’t put off by John’s questions! And … John received the assurance and answers he was looking for.
When; and I do mean, when, things don’t turn out the way we hoped, and we need assurance, comfort and peace, we must go directly to the Source. Sit at His feet. Bask in His presence. Invite the Holy Spirit to comfort our heart and mind.
Submerge ourselves in the pages of God’s Word. His Word has everything we need.
“This is my comfort in my affliction, that your promise gives me life.” –Psalm 119:50 ESV
Do you need comfort? It’s in there! – “Can a woman forget her nursing child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? Yes, they may forget, yet I will not forget you. Behold, I have indelibly imprinted you on the palm of each of My hands; your walls are continually before Me.” –Isaiah 49:15-16 AMP
Do you need peace? It’s in there.
Healing? It’s in there.
Hope? It’s in there.
Encouragement? That’s in there too!
God will never be put off by your questions and heartfelt pleas. He will sustain you, if you’ll simply take Him at His Word and go the Source for everything you need.
Ask Him for revelation through His Word. The Holy Spirit is there for you! Waiting for you. Before you submerge yourself in His Word, pray, in a very personal way, the words of Paul in Ephesians 1:17-19.
He can handle your questions! Your pain … your uncertainty … your fears. Take it all to Him. Psalm 142:3 says: “I pour out before him my complaint; before him I tell my trouble.” So, pour it out! Take it all to Him! Nothing will surprise Him, and He’s the One who can help you through everything. Even those long sleepless nights.
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