We Want All Things Good, Right?

This morning, I was reading this chapter in Matthew where John, who was at the time in prison, sends his disciples to Christ to confirm if he was the one of whom he was a forerunner. And so John disciples come to Jesus on a fact finding mission. 

My eyes starts getting watery as I read Jesus' response to them which reads; 

“Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers a are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them. And blessed is the one who is not offended by me.”

I realize I am putting myself in John's shoes, he who was not worthy even to tie the races of my saviour, and asking myself, 


What about me?
"What about me? My Lord, you are doing all these signs and wonders. What about me? I am your forerunner. I gave it all up to dwell in the desert wearing camel skin, insects my food. What about me who is now in prison? How about a get me out of prison kind of miracle like you'll do to Peter and even the twelve in the days after Pentecost?"

My Lord, I pray that I that you will not be offended by me.

My yoke is not your yoke.
See, so many times, we pray that we may be blessed like so and so, their yoke excluded. See, his yoke is easy, but his yoke for you is not His yoke for me... (oh this revelation must be for another day) as my blessing is not your measure, even so from our father who art in heaven.

A read on. And thee words that that Jesus said of John the Baptist, him who was still in prison was worth more than a thousand years in prison.

Jesus said, “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? What then did you go out to see? A man b dressed in soft clothing? Behold, those who wear soft clothing are in kings’ houses.  What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is he of whom it is written, “‘Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way before you.’ Truly, I say to you, among those born of women there has arisen no one greater than John the Baptist. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence, and the violent take it by force. 

Oh how sweet those words must have been refreshing to John. It has not been in vain. The wilderness was not in vain. The prison was not in vain. The ministry was not in vain. The breath of his days, the effort all the way...... all well counted by the Great Rewerder of those who diligently seek him. 

Unanswered Prayer?
Does it not feel like our prayers are not being answered? Have we prayed right? Are wee seeking exemption from hard learning times? Are we seeking to be taken away from where we need to be that we may represent our God? 

One of the most amazing things about the Man of God Paul is that in his many letters, not even once does he beg that the church prays for him to be taken out of prison. He takes it in stride. He rejoices even in afflictions He counts it all joy. God's Grace being sufficient for him at that time of need. 

What of being sure?
Amazingly, John The Baptist was not even sure whether Jesus was the Christ or not. He had to send his disciples to confirm. And we find ourselves here so many times!

We always want to be sure. Right? We want to know everything before we make a move. But that is not faith. If we have faith, we do what our Lord says. We go ahead and offer our bodies as a living sacrifice, we deniy of ourselves the pleasures that are of this world. Because even though we do not know when our repayment will happen, we know that our God is a Rewarder.

Abraham left his father's land and followed God's instructions. Today, we call him the father of Faith.

God will speak about you. What will he have to say? You believed in your doubts or in Him?

As for me, I will sing He Leadeth Me and follow Him all the way, for He is my Way.
 
My Prayer
Lord Jesus,
Teach me, to count it all joy. Teach me godliness and contentment, for this is a great gain to me (1 Timothy 6:6) Teach me to serve you from where I am. Mold me day by day to represent you here on earth as it is your will in heaven. Amen.