THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 1
“Now when John heard in prison about the deeds of the Christ, he sent word by his disciples and said to Him, “Are you the One who is to come, or shall we look for another? And Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them.”
Matthew 11:2-5 ESV
WHEN PERSECUTION HAPPENS: QUESTION YOUR FAITH
A little boy asked his dad, “Dad, why is the sky blue?” I don’t know son. “Dad, why is the grass green?” I don’t know son. “Dad…do you mind me asking you all these questions?” “Of course not. If you don’t ask you will never learn.” Dad may not have been very helpful, but questions and doubts often lead us to understanding and stronger faith.
In Matthew Chapter 11, John the Baptist had been put in prison for preaching the Truth. He was eventually beheaded for his preaching. In the middle of being persecuted, John sent his disciples to ask Jesus if He was in fact God’s Son who had come to save the world. John needed reassurance that Jesus was who He said He was and that He was going to do what He said He was going to do. Jesus responded by telling the disciples to tell John what they had heard and seen Jesus do.
God often uses our doubt to lead us to discovery. God is not afraid of our questions. And if we will take the time to listen, the answers will always be found in the character and nature of God. He is our good Father, our loving God, our powerful Creator and our eternal Savior. The more we know about God’s nature the better we will be able to endure persecution when it comes.
If you are experiencing persecution or suffering right now, ask God where He is while you are going through this. Ask God to reveal to you the things about His nature that will help you hang in there and get through this season.
