Today’s Bible Reading: Luke 7:18- 8:3; Matt. 11:1-19; Matt. 12:22-45; Mark 3:20-30; Luke 11:14-26

It’s easy to be certain of God’s goodness and faithfulness when things are going smoothly. Its when times get hard that we find ourselves praying for confirmation and reassurance. That’s how it was for John the Baptist in today’s reading.

God had promised that He would send a messenger ahead of the Messiah to proclaim His coming.

Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the LORD of hosts. Malachi 3:1

…A voice of one calling in the desert prepare the way of the Lord. Isaiah 40:3

Those prophecies were fulfilled through John the Baptist. As Jesus came to him to be baptized, John proclaimed, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” John 1:29

But now John finds himself in prison, facing death and seeks confirmation of what he had previously preached and boldly proclaimed.

God is so good and knows our frailty and propensity for doubt. Jesus shows compassion and grace in His response to John by reminding him of God’s promises and what the Messiah would do…

…Go your way, and tell John what things ye have seen and heard; how that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, to the poor the gospel is preached. Luke 7:22

Jesus comforted John through God’s Word and the fact that He (Jesus) was fulfilling the prophecies and promises given long ago.

Say to those who are fearful-hearted, ‘Be strong, do not fear! Behold, your God will come…He will come and save you.’ Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, And the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped… Isaiah 35:4-6

If you find your heart doubting today, remember God's promises to never leave us or forsake us (Heb 13:5); when our hearts condemn us, God is greater than our heart and knows all things (1 Jn 3:20); there is therefore now no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus (Rm 8:1). He is our soon and coming King!