Doubting God's Goodness

This is Ashley's March email devotional. 

“I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living." Psalm 27:13

John the Baptist knew who Jesus was. The Holy Spirit had revealed to him that Jesus was “the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world” , and John himself had repeatedly declared to the people that Jesus was the Messiah. If anyone was positively convinced, it was John! (John 1:29)
But there came a day when he doubted. When circumstances got dark, disappointing, and confusing, and Jesus was not meeting his expectations, John questioned Him, “Are You the Expected One, or should we look for someone else?”
Have you ever been there? I have, very recently, experienced something similar to what John the Baptist did. I know and believe that God is who He says He is. But in times that are dark, discouraging, or painful -- or when God doesn’t do what I think He should have done -- questions and doubts arise. My question isn’t necessarily “Are you really God?” like John’s was, but instead, “God, are You really good?”
To me, one of the most encouraging things about this story is that Jesus did not condemn or rebuke John for his doubt. There isn’t even a hint of that. Neither does He condemn you and me.
But, Jesus didn’t give him a direct answer either. There is no record of Him saying, “Yes, John, I am the Messiah.” What Jesus chose to do instead was to show John the evidence. Look what is happening, John -- blind people are seeing, dead are being raised to life, the poor are hearing the gospel…here’s the evidence; now do you believe?
He wanted John to believe in Him, just as He wants us to believe Him. But I think He knew that John’s faith would probably be stronger by seeing the truth, rather than just being told, “Yes, it’s Me.” So instead, He called John’s attention to the miracles that were happening, reminded him of the Scripture that predicted these things about the Messiah (Isaiah 61:1-2), and in this away assured him tangibly that yes, He was indeed the Expected One.
How does this play out for us when we’re questioning God? Well, He’s probably not going to just say, “Yes, Ashley, I’m good.” Or He might. But chances are, He’s going to show me or remind me of the evidence that He is good and loving.
In fact, in the recent weeks that I was struggling with these questions, I can look back and see His loving hand. Some good things were happening even in the midst of the bad things. There were little reminders of His love for me and for others. I didn’t see some of them until after the “storm” was over, but even then, it’s like He’s saying, as He did to John, “Here’s the evidence; now do you believe Me?” There was tangible evidence to assure me that even in the dark times, His heart is full of love and compassion toward His children. And I chose to believe it.
John wasn’t the only one in Scripture who questioned. I think of Moses, who questioned God’s calling and his ability to carry it out. God gave Moses special abilities as evidence that the Lord was with him. And how about “doubting Thomas,” the disciple who refused to believe that Christ had risen from the dead? What did Jesus do for Thomas? He did not condemn him, but gave him tangible evidence of His resurrection to help him believe.
Finally, Jesus said to John the Baptist, “Blessed is he who does not take offense at Me”. I’m sure He probably knew that there were some people who would be offended at His teachings and refuse to follow Him, and He wanted to help John not to stumble in his faith. Jesus will never fit in our “box” (Matthew 9:16-17), but He is who He is, and we must make the choice to believe Him no matter what our eyes see that doesn’t fit our expectations. As Christ said to doubting Thomas, “Blessed are they who did not see, and yet believed . (John 20:29) (Matthew 11:6)
Praise God who cares enough about His children to take the time and loving care to prove Himself to us! He proved His love in the greatest way possible on Calvary, and tells us again and again in His Word, but in the weakness of our human flesh, we still doubt sometimes. Yet, “Just as a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him. For He Himself knows our frame; He is mindful that we are but dust” . When we doubt, may the Lord open our eyes and hearts to see the evidence He shows us daily of who He is… and believe and love Him more as a result. (Psalm 103:13-14)

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Please share any comments, prayer requests, or suggestions.  Have a great month (can you believe it's March already?!) and God bless!  ~Ashley

(Matthew 11:3).