Isaiah had wonderful words of encouragement for the Israelite exiles in Babylon. He used images of fruitfulness and life to let them know that God would soon come. Dry, parched lands flow with water and bear fruit. The blind will see, the deaf hear, and the lame run like a deer. The Israelites will be safe from all harm. These are all images of life and hope, for that is what God is all about. Today we would leave out notions of vengeance or retribution - we bring those things on ourselves, they are not from God. But we are assured that regardless of how difficult our lives might be, God has not abandoned us. Pain or destruction is never God's answer. God is the God of life and new beginnings. But we need the patience that James speaks of, for patience is a form of trust and faith.

Even John the Baptist struggled with doubts, so we are in good company. Are you the one, or should we look for another? Jesus refuses to answer the question directly. Just look around, he says, and tell John what you see: the blind see, the deaf hear, the lame walk, and lepers are healed. If these things are happening, God must be very close indeed. The evidence speaks for itself: healing and new life can only come from God. Jesus is indeed the one they were waiting for. Many terrible things happen in our world, and sometimes we ask where God is in all this mess.