Journey Through The Bible
     Old Testament Reading: Psalms 42-49
     New Testament Reading: Luke 7

Then John’s disciples told him about all these things. So John summoned two of his disciples and sent them to the Lord, asking, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?” When the men reached him, they said, “John the Baptist sent us to ask you, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?’” (Luke 7:18-20)

John the Baptist enjoyed a fruitful ministry preaching and baptizing thousands of his countrymen as he prepared the way for the Messiah. His ministry culminated with the baptism of Jesus Christ. He saw the heavens open and the Holy Spirit descend like a dove on Jesus and God the Father proclaiming from heaven that Jesus was His Son.

But now, alone in prison, he had doubts. John wasn’t alone in feelings of doubt. Scripture is full of stories where godly people doubted God. Abraham doubted, Sarah doubted, Moses doubted, Elijah doubted, Gideon doubted, Samson doubted. Yet all these men and women are listed in Hebrews chapter 11 as being great persons of Faith in God.

It is unfortunate that throughout history we remember the Apostle Thomas as Doubting Thomas because all the apostles were doubters. Often in the gospels, we hear Jesus rebuking them, saying, O you of little faith, why did you doubt?

There is a difference between doubt and unbelief. Unbelief is a matter of the will. A willing refusal to believe God’s Word and obey what He tells us to do. Doubt is a matter of the mind. We cannot understand what God is doing or why He is doing it. When you experience times of doubting God, as we all sometimes will, know that you are in good company. And look to John the Baptist for our example of how to deal with our doubts.

First, because John was in prison and could not go himself, he sent two of his disciples to Jesus. When we have times of doubt, we need to go to God. Did you notice in this passage that Jesus never chastised or expressed disappointment for his doubts? God will not rebuke you either. He knows our doubts and fears, our thoughts and concerns better than we do. Go to God in prayer and seek answers to your doubts in His Word.

Second, John called his disciples to him. All too often, when we experience doubts, we skip church. We avoid going to worship and Bible study. However, it is during times of doubt that we need the fellowship of other believers more than ever. We need the encouragement that comes from being with and talking with fellow Christians and the support they offer.

When someone we know is experiencing doubt, we should follow Jesus’ example. He never shamed John, but pointed him to the Word of God. Jesus described His work alluding to the fulfillment of prophecies. Then He publicly commended John.

We must not shame or rebuke them for their doubts. Instead, we should pray for and with them. Encourage them to see God’s promises throughout the Bible and specific scriptures about their situation. Commend them on all the faithful service to God they have performed in the past and/or what their past ministry has meant to you.