Sunday, Day 22: The with-God life
35″The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy— the Son of God. 36And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. 37For nothing will be impossible with God.” 38And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” Luke 1:35-38
Thought: For nothing is impossible with God. Let it be to me according to your Word. How much of God’s Word do you know? Many times we are unclear about what to believe or do because we are unclear about what God’s Word says. Let’s be real, Mary has a lot to be anxious about, she has much reason to resist believing… but her response is, “I am the servant of the Lord, let it be to me according to your word”. Mary gets that what the angel is asking of her can be substantiated through the prophetic scriptures given hundreds and even thousands of years before. Chances are that she is illiterate and the “according to your word” has to do with what she has learned at temple and memorized on her own time. The scriptures she has recited about the virgin descendant of David being with child… it all makes sense now! She is a devoted daughter of God who has loved His word and longed for His appearing. What a great challenge for us who can read! Are you able to discern and do the will of God as He reveals it based on what you know of the Bible? How much of your fear or unbelief has to do with neglect of God’s Word?
Practices: Read the scripture passage above. Give thanks to God for Mary’s example faith and surrender to the Word. Ask God what impossible things He wants you to experience in your with-God life? Let go of anxiety, fear and confusion and open yourself to God’s word. Memorize this scripture: “For nothing will be impossible with God.” And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” Attend a worship service today and see what you might hear that will affirm God’s words to you…
Prayer: God of the Word, nothing is impossible with you. I want to let go of unbelief, fear and anxiety. My life is yours; let it be done to me according to Your Word. As an act of faith I choose to trust you. Amen
Blue book (Lectionary) Readings: Luke 1:26-38, Romans 16:25-27, 2 Samuel 7:8-16
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