Today’s Devotion
Topic: Do not stumble on account of the Lord!
Text: Luke: 7: 23
23 Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.” Amen.
John the Baptist was a direct relative of our Lord Jesus. They also had an encounter at the Jordan where John saw the heavens open, a dove descending on our Lord and a strong voice saying, “this is my beloved son in whom am well pleased”. John even told Peter and Andrews that Jesus was the “Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world”.
However, “when John, who was in prison, heard about the deeds of the Messiah, he sent his disciples to ask him, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?” (Matt 11:2- 3)
OF COURSE JOHN KNEW PERFECTLY WELL WHO JESUS IS! His message to Jesus was not to be sure if Jesus was the messiah or not. It was indirectly to accuse Jesus of neglect. He had been in prison for a while and Jesus had neither visited nor sent a word of empathy.
His disciples had reported to him the many others that Jesus was helping and he was offended that Jesus will not say or do anything about his “situation”.
Jesus, knowing what John’s sarcasm implied, replied his disciples saying, “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.” (Matt 11:4- 6)
Actually the Lord Jesus was not to be distracted! He was working and doing the Father’s will, just as the Messiah should. His words and works were the greatest “messianic” confirmation. That is why He added that, “blessed is the one who is not offended on account of me”.
Beloved, God remains God whether we agree with Him or not. He is good and does what is good. His ways are not our ways, neither His thoughts, ours! Stop fighting God for not doing what you “feel” He should have done. Stop threatening to leave the faith if you don’t get your breakthrough by end of year. Stop murmuring that God did not do right just because you saw Him bless others and you feel it should have been you.
Why should you be offended in God? Why should you stumble on account of Him? Where is the supreme court that will judge your lawsuit against the Lord? Who is the Judge so worthy to convict and sentence the Lord for you?
Please stop grudging God and know He’s working things out for you. His love for you is stronger than death. He will not suffer thy foot to be moved. Hold on a little bit longer because your God will surely come and save you. But even when He has not done so yet, be like those three Hebrew boys who refused to bow to Nebuchadnezzar’s image. God is God no matter our expectations of, or ‘dissatisfaction’ with Him.
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