Beyond Our Control - 5-Day DevotionalSample

Maybe you are walking through one of those seasons where the bottom has just fallen out in your life. You may typically be a positive and upbeat person, but you can’t seem to find anything to be cheery about when you look at the landscape of your life. Your family is challenging, work is a nightmare, friendships are waning, the bank account is dwindling, and there is no bright spot to be found. In that environment, you question God and what he is doing: Is this really how life is going to go?

John the Baptist would understand. He was there. As he sat in prison, hearing about what was going on outside of those prison cell walls, he wondered if Jesus was the one to come or if there would be another. In light of his circumstances, he doubted what he knew to be true about Jesus. Keep in mind that this was John the Baptist, the very person who leapt in his mother’s womb when Jesus was near him in Mary’s womb (Luke 1:41). John the Baptist, forerunner of the Messiah, the one who himself baptized Jesus and saw the dove descend on Christ (Matthew 3:13–17). Yet now he questioned it all.

It is with that context of John’s doubt that Jesus offered those powerful words from Matthew 11:28–29: “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls” (ESV).

I am grateful that God invites us to come to him even in our doubt. He calls us to be in relationship with him, for he alone can provide rest for our souls. Prayer is our drawing near to God in fellowship, bringing our hearts before him, seeking him, listening to him, simply having presence with him. God is there. He sees, he knows, he hears, and he loves us.

Prayer

Lord, thank you for forgiving the doubts I’ve had during difficult times. I want to grow closer to you and feel your presence. Amen.