Prison of Doubt

When we answer the call to follow Jesus, we do it initially with great passion and enthusiasm.  But our faith will be tested, and trials will come to all of us.  Even the strongest believer will have times of doubt and wondering.  This was true of John the Baptist also.  We read in Matt. 11:2,3 "And when John had heard in prison about the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples and said to Him, 'Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?'"  This is the same John the Baptist who baptized Jesus, when the Holy Spirit came down in the form of a dove, and a voice spoke from heaven saying, This is My beloved Son in whom I am well pleased.  This is the same John who preached boldly to the Pharisees and Sadducees, and called them to repent.  This is the same John who cried out, "Prepare the way of the Lord; Make His paths straight."  When he saw Jesus coming, he cried out, "Behold the Lamb of God, Who takes away the sin of the world."  John said, "And I have seen and testified that this is the Son of God." John 1:34.  But now John is in prison, having been put there because he told Herod it was not lawful for him to have Herodias as his wife.  Now he is languishing in the prison, knowing his life could be taken at any time.  Now as he sits and thinks about what has happened, he hears about the works of Christ.  And yet, there are unanswered questions in John's mind.  He doesn't understand why things have turned out the way they have.  Even though he has known Jesus all his life, and was the forerunner in announcing Christ's coming, he now wonders if this is really the Christ.  So he sends two disciples to ask Him, "Are you the Coming One, or should we look for another?"  Jesus sent the disciples back to John to tell him that the signs testify that He is the Christ.  "And blessed is he who is not offended in Me."John was getting offended!  John was beginning to stumble in his circumstances.  This is something everyone of us has to face.  When things do not turn out the way we thought they would, and when it seems God is not doing what He said He would do, do we get offended with God?  Do we put ourselves into our own prison of doubt?  My dear friend, you will be blessed if you don't get offended at God.  Seek Him, sit at His feet, and He will give you a word that will carry you through the circumstances, and deliver you from the prison of doubt.