Questioning in the Wilderness

Scripture Focus:

“Now when John heard in prison about the deeds of the Christ, he sent word by his disciples and said to him, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?’ And Jesus answered them, ‘Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers 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.’”

— Matthew 11:2–6 (ESV)

Devotional Thought:

John the Baptist, the bold voice in the wilderness, now sat behind prison walls. The same man who declared, “Behold, the Lamb of God!” was now asking, “Are you the One?”

Even the strongest voices have moments of doubt. Not because their faith was false, but because pain was real. The wilderness can wear you down. Darkness can cloud what was once clear.

But notice how Jesus responds: He doesn’t rebuke John. He doesn’t scold him for questioning. Instead, He points to the evidence of the Kingdom breaking in—“the blind see, the lame walk, the poor hear good news.” In other words: John, you were right to believe. You didn’t miss it. The mission is working.

If John could wrestle with questions, so can we. And just like John, when we bring our questions to Jesus, He doesn’t shame us—He reassures us.

Prayer Focus:

• Pray for those wrestling with questions, doubt, or discouragement in the wilderness seasons of life.

• Ask God to bring reassurance and fresh perspective where His silence has felt heavy.

• Intercede for believers who feel imprisoned by circumstances, that they would find hope in what God is still doing.

Reflection Question:

When I wrestle with questions, do I bring them to Jesus—or do I let them silence my voice?

Closing Prayer:

Lord, thank You that You do not condemn my questions. When I wrestle, remind me of Your works and Your faithfulness. Reassure my heart that I have not missed it, and that the mission of Your Kingdom is still advancing. Strengthen my faith so that even in the wilderness, I can remain a voice for truth. In Jesus’ name, amen.