September 25 - Luke 1:39-80 | Matthew 1:18-25 | Luke 2:1-40

Good morning everyone,

Yesterday we learned that Gabriel went to visit Mary, a young girl from a poor family, to deliver a message from God that would forever change her world. See in your mind’s eye for just a moment this sweet and innocent, adolescent, happily working away, humming maybe, while making the evening meal for her family, day dreaming about her guy, Joey, she is engaged to be married to when in pops in Gabriel and tells her she has found favor with God and will conceive a son and she will name him Jesus. Now you have to admit that is some overwhelming news, but she responds with, “I am the Lord’s servant.” Then hurried to the hill country of Judea to visit her barren relative Elizabeth whom Gabriel happened to mention would also be having a child. After all if anyone would understand about unfeasible pregnancies it would be Elizabeth. Right?

We are told when Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. And in a loud voice exclaimed “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?” I love that, even though the situation seemed impossible she recognized Mary as the mother of the Lord. Their faith and trust in Yahewh and His Word was exemplary.

Mary then sings a song to glorify the Lord for what He was going to do for the world through her, recognizing God as the champion of the poor and the persecuted. I love her faith in God and the trust she has in knowing He will do what He says He is going to do. 2 Chronicles 20:21 says, “The king appointed singers to walk ahead of the army, singing to the Lord and praising him for his holy splendor. This is what they sang: 'Give thanks to the Lord; his faithful love endures forever!'" If you thank God after the fact, that’s great but that’s gratitude. If you thank God before it happens, that’s faith.

When we allow God to walk before us, to dictate the course of our lives it becomes a testimony to unbelievers. It is kind of scary to do at first, a little like (though I have never done this) stepping out on a high wire with no net. You take your first real step out while continuing to hold quite firmly to the stand. All goes well so you move farther out, now only holding on with the tips of your fingers, then you decide it is easier than it looks and off across the wire you move. Life is so much easier when you let go and let God handle it all. You just need to keep putting one foot in front of the other obeying God’s will, all the laws of balance, all the while proceeding in faith. The world takes notice when the Christian lives by faith. And, God loves to demonstrate his power in those who expect him to work in their lives. So let’s let God demonstrate His power through us. Amen?

Have a great day and to God be the glory.

God bless you all …..