Changi Chapel

Has God ever disappointed you?

In Luke 7:19, we see John the Baptist send two of his disciples to Jesus to ask him the million-dollar question! – “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?”

What? Is not John the Baptist the one who proclaimed “Behold this is the lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world?” Was he not the one who said “He must increase, I must decrease”?

Did not John the Baptist in John 1:34 say “And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God”? So from whence did this doubt come? So, what on earth was happening to John the Baptist?

This is a solemn truth that happens at some point, in the life of every believer. The saints of old called it the “dark night of the soul”. Occasionally (and momentarily) God allows his children to be overwhelmed with the spirit of doubt and despair.

While we may not know exactly what was behind John the Baptist’s sudden volte-face, the text suggests he was disappointed that Jesus was not fulfilling the role of the Messiah, as described in the Tanak (the Old Testament).

Even today every orthodox Jew expects the Messiah to come and take over the kingdoms of the world. To overnight become the Supreme Ruler over all mankind and to reign with justice for ever hereafter.

Maybe John the Baptist’s expectation was along those Jewish lines. Even though it was given to him to be the forerunner who would announce that Jesus was the promised Messiah, it may not have been given him to understand the full plan of God that the Messiah must die and rise again, before he rules over the kingdoms of the world!

The object lesson for each of us in this passage is that even we can be disappointed with God when those things that God promised us, does not unfold along the lines we expect.

What God promises us will come to pass in God’s time and in God’s way. And for us to demand that His promises should come to pass in the way that we want, may often be the reason we are disappointed with God!

Are you like John the Baptist disappointed with God? Or will you like Job when facing the “dark night of your soul” say “Though he slay me yet will I trust Him?” (Job 13:15)