March 4, 2023 - Luke 1:42-45

“Elizabeth gave a glad cry and exclaimed to Mary, “God has blessed you above all women, and your child is blessed. Why am I so honored, that the mother of my Lord should visit me? When I heard your greeting, the baby in my womb jumped for joy. You are blessed because you believed that the Lord would do what he said.” Luke 1:42-45 NLT

Lord, we want to be someone whom it could be said that we are blessed because we believed that the Lord would do what he said. You told Mary that she would, as a virgin, have a baby that would be the son of God coming to be the salvation of mankind. We can get so used to hearing this story that we don’t think about how totally outlandish this would sound if an angel showed up and said it to us. It is impossible for a virgin to conceive a child. Yet, Mary believed that you could and would do it. She didn’t refuse being your vessel, even though she knew that Joseph would have a right to call off their engagement. She should have been shunned and looked down upon. But she chose to trust you and walk in obedience no matter what it cost her, because it was what you asked of her.

Lord, make us more like Mary. Grow in us a heart that will run after you no matter what it might cost us. Even if our society shuns us. Even if our fellow Christians don’t understand and don’t believe you can do what you said you would, help us to stand firm in our faith. Grow our faith and courage to believe that you can use each of us to do impossible things. Show us the areas of our lives that we are walking in doubt. I have some areas in my life that I consistently trust you to do impossible things, but then other areas that I struggle to believe. Forgive us for the areas where we doubt. Open our eyes to these places and help us bring change. Help us always believe the truth that you speak, and trust that you will make it a reality.

In Jesus name, amen.