Selected Scripture:
“For no word from God will ever fail.”
-Luke 1:37
Observation:
Zechariah and Mary have similar, yet fundamentally different responses to the angel’s birth announcement. Upon hearing that his wife, Elizabeth, is to bear a son in her old age, Zechariah disbelievingly responds, “Why should I believe you?” He is so focused on his apparent reality that he is unable to see that God is bigger than circumstances or “common sense.” Mary, however, responds simply by saying, “How will God do what He promises?” From the angel’s positive response, we can infer that it wasn’t disbelief prompting Mary’s curiosity, but rather faithful acceptance and wonder. Gabriel explains some of God’s plan and reiterates what Mary already knows:
“…no word from God will ever fail.”
Application:
For the believer, for me, this verse is so loaded with implication. It implies that God is sovereign, that His plans are final, and that He is eternal in victory. It means, quite frankly, that God’s will is absolute and that my life is what He intends it to be in all my joy, my suffering, my wealth, and poverty. I don’t know this is what I’m meant to take from this lesson, but I do know that the angel is telling Mary—and all of us—that God is powerful enough to keep His promises whatever our circumstances. Can I be satisfied with that when I’m at my lowest? Can I believe in this aspect of God’s nature even when the Enemy uses my outward circumstances to suggest the Father has abandoned me?
Prayer:
You asked me once if I would love You…even if You never healed by body, never healed my family, never allowed me to finish school or do what I love for a living. With all my heart, God, I want my answer to be, “Yes,” always. Help me to trust in Your unfailing nature, to remember that You’ve promised to redeem my suffering, and that You are always good, whatever I experience.
This is very well written, Keri. After I read this yesterday, God reminded me that sometimes in order to be ready to receive more of his blessings we have to be joyful with where we are. The creator of the Heavens created us. Who else would know about our biggest dreams and deepest desires? God knows them all; He created us to have them and He wants us to be joyous no matter where we are. Just as our parents knew that we would not grow, strengthen or mature if they simply handed us everything we asked for, God knows this as well. He builds our character and strengthens us through situations He KNOWS we do not prefer to experience. He refines us through the fire and reminds us that no matter how deep we desire something, or think we do, He knows just what we actually need. He knows right where we need to be in order for Him to use us. He is not concerned with our comfort, He wants our character to grow. Comfort is always temporary and changing; character is solid and will last an eternity. So, we can trust His timing. We can rest assured that He loves us so much that He wants the best for us; and He, alone, knows what's best for us. Whether you have kids and wish you would have waited, or desperately want more kids, or would be happy just to have one that has not come: we are all in a different place with different circumstances. God wants us to be joyous wherever we find ourselves because to be joyous is to fully trust in Him and His timing. With joy comes peace, with peace comes understanding, with understanding comes patience with patience comes perseverance. Luv you, sister! (Thanks for this reminder!)
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