Be thou my vision, O Lord of my heart; naught be all else to me, save that thou art – thou my best thought, by day or by night; waking or sleeping, thy presence my light. Irish Hymn, 7th Century.
But what happens when doubt comes to visit?
The stories are written. The Bible reveals that even John the Baptist had doubts and was found to be discouraged.
John the Baptist, the one who witnessed the heavens open, and the Holy Spirit descend like a dove and remain on the head of Jesus.
John the Baptist, whose own lips proclaimed,
Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world, John 1:29.
John faced difficult times. He was faithful, he was steadfast, and he was put in prison:
And when John had heard in prison about the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples and said to Him, “Are You the coming One, or do we look for another?”Matthew 11:2,3.
John had doubts. And we do too, at times.
But Jesus . . .
Jesus answered and said to them, “Go and tell John the things which you heard and see.
The blind receive their sight and the lame walk;
John was in prison. He had time to think on this.
The lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear;
Lepers cleansed? Never before. Deaf hearing? “Tell John to think on these things.”
The dead are raised up. . .
What was dead is now alive!
And the poor have the gospel preached to them.
Provision of life and hope is shared with the poor.
Are we as John on occasion? With doubts about the Lord?
Jesus offers even more for us to ponder in the face of difficulty:
And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me Matthew 11:4,5.
We must stay focused. Eyes on the Lord. We must keep our hearts soft, our ears open, God’s Word nearby, and His song on our heart.
Be thou my wisdom, and thou my true word; I ever with thee and thou with me, Lord. Thou my great Father; thine own may I be, thou in me dwelling and I one with thee.
Just as John the Baptist, who had troubles along his faithful path, Jesus wanted him encouraged.
“Tell John the sick are healed, the blind see, the death hear. What was dead is raised to life again.
John most like rejoiced at these thoughts. But we have choice today to rejoice no matter what:
Riches I heed not, nor vain, empty praise; thou mine inheritance, now and always; thou and thou only first in my heart, high King of heaven, my treasure thou art.
Encouraged and changed. Instead of doubt, we now have praise:
“I will bless the Lord who has given me counsel; yes, my heart instructs me in the night seasons. I have set the Lord continually before me; because He is at my right hand, I shall not be moved . . . Ps. 16:7,8.
High King of heaven, my victory won, may I reach heaven’s joys, O bright heaven’s sun! Heart of my own heart, whatever befall, still be my vision, O Ruler of all.
Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid, John 14:27.
I choose to believe Jesus. I do:
“Heart of my own heart, whatever befall, still be my vision, O Ruler of all.”
