Today's Reading: Luke 1:39-45

Devo Author: Andy Petry

Date: December 14, 2022

“Trust me, we’ll find you a house.” Although I wanted to believe my friend, I wasn’t quite sure he was right. Yes, he’d been a realtor for several years and knew what he was doing, but we’d just had our fifth offer rejected – and I wasn’t sure I wanted to look at another 40 houses. His promise seemed too good to be true, which is why I had such trouble actually believing him when he told me a couple weeks later that our offer was accepted!

Oftentimes I find in my soul a desire to trust and an inability to carry out that desire. It’s true, our hearts are fickle things and we often need God to remind us He’s still in control, His plan hasn’t been thwarted, and He’s got us right where He wants us. I wonder if Mary ever felt the same?

By the time we get to Luke 1:39-45, Mary has just been told she has found favor with God and she will conceive and give birth to a son. Oh, and that Son will be the promised Messiah, who will rule on David’s throne and His kingdom will know no end. Pretty big news to an engaged, virgin teenage girl, right? Yet, Mary listened and accepted this wonderful promise from God, saying simply, “I am the Lord’s servant… May your word to me be fulfilled” (Luke 1:38 NIV).

Mary leaves soon after that miraculous interaction with Gabriel to visit her relative, Elizabeth. And, although we don’t know what went through her head as Mary walked 91 miles in scorching heat, we do know what happened when she finally got to Elizabeth’s home. As soon as Elizabeth heard Mary walk through the door, the miraculous baby in her jumped. The Spirit of God caused Elizabeth to encourage and bless Mary, in much the same way Gabriel had done not so long ago. “Mary, you are blessed among all women.” “I’m blessed because the mother of my Lord is visiting me.” And then finally: “Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!” (Luke 1:45 NIV).

If Mary had any doubt up until then, the Lord put it to rest. Mary would go on to respond in humble song and praise to God.

There are times when we may feel like the promise of God’s goodness and love are too good to be true. Life will put us in situations that leave us wondering, “God, are you still there?” or sometimes even, “God, do you still love me?” The story of Christmas reminds us again and again, “Yes.” He has loved us enough to draw near to us, take on flesh, and ultimately fulfill His plan to restore us to Him through the cross. Our job is simply to trust and surrender to Him, and God has a way of reminding us along the way that He’s still there, and He’s working out His promises in Christ to us.