WEDNESDAY 14 December, 2016
According to Your Word
Now indeed, Elizabeth your relative has also conceived a son in her old age; and this is now the sixth month for her who was called barren. For with God nothing will be impossible.” Then Mary said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” - Luke 1:36-38
The angel Gabriel greatly encouraged Mary; the Lord had already been at work in the life of her cousin Elizabeth. She had been barren and yet God through His power had miraculously given her life––a child was conceived in her lifeless womb. God can do the impossible and He would also touch Mary’s life. Then Mary, moved by faith, willingly agreed to be used by the Lord and voiced her full submission to God’s Word.
Mary’s reaction to the angel’s words revealed her heart of faith; which was very different from Zacharias the priest. When he was told by Gabriel, that Elizabeth was to have a child, he questioned the possibility; they were too old to have children. Zacharias was rebuked by the angel for his unbelief. But Mary by faith, delighted to do the will of God.
In Psalm 40:8 David expressed his attitude towards doing the will of God, he wrote: I delight to do Your will, O my God, and Your law is within my heart. This Psalm was also prophetical; it spoke of Christ and His willingness to do His Father’s will. Jesus said to the people who followed Him:…I came down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him that sent Me (John 6:38).
What was the Father’s perfect will in the life of Christ? He was to die: “…I lay down My life that I may take it again.No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This command I have received from My Father” (John 10:17-18).
Do you delight to do the will of God, no matter how impossible it seems?
Yet it pleased the Lordto bruise Him; He has put Him to grief.
When You make His soul an offering for sin…
~Isaiah 53:10~
For more from Raul Ries, please visit Somebodylovesyouradio.org!