Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor. Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.” ~Matthew 11:4-5 (NIV)
In Matthew 11 Jesus sets Johns mind at ease from any doubt that John has accomplished God’s purpose as being the forerunner for the Messiah. John the Baptist was unquestionably a very devout man who possibly knew his time on earth was about to be over. Any minister, parent or even friend facing the end of their life would begin thinking of how they could make sure the people they might love or at minimal were influencing were getting the truth. John sent word to Jesus asking if he was the “One” or if they should look for another. Mind you John had already publicly announced Jesus as the lamb of God that would take away the sin of the world. Jesus responds to John by quoting scriptures that are being fulfilled at that time in Jesus’ ministry. As believers we should see scripture fulfilled in our lives every day. We should be walking and breathing epistles reflecting the Word of God. An epistle is a letter, or a message and our lives should be a message to those around us of God’s goodness and faithfulness. When we give testimony to what God is doing and others see the word of God fulfilled in our lives, it is encouraging, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t doubts lingering around the next corner.
When doubts come it is imperative that we maintain an iron-clad confidence in the goodness of God and His word is what inspires that confidence. Romans 10:17 tells us "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.” (KJV) We have to learn to let our soul rest in the security that our God is good and that is all we really need to know. We are told in Psalm 55:22 “Cast your care on the Lord and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous be shaken.” (NIV) When we live our lives unshaken by our circumstances and give testimony to God’s goodness, people can’t help but take notice. God doesn’t give us all the details about what He is doing, but He does give us His word and His Spirit. We can try to fill in the blanks and flesh out what we think things ought to look like or turn out like but that doesn’t mean we are even close to God’s plan. Don't let the specifics of how you think things should look become a distraction. Learn to remind yourself that total understanding regarding any situation belongs to God and Him alone and whether He reveals it to you or not is completely up to Him. John fulfilled God’s purposes in his ministry on this earth. You and I will also, by faith, and it will be confirmed by the word of God being fulfilled around us. God has called us to do our best and to learn to lean into His word and handle our lives with the highest integrity and then trust Him to take care of the rest. That is how we walk humbly with our God, not letting the details or doubts become a distraction.
He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. ~Micah 6:8 (NIV)
What word of God is being fulfilled in your life today?
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