The Right Answer

The Right Answer

I’ve been spending time in the book of Luke reading the Christmas story to catch the spirit of Christmas as God laid it out for us. Take a look with me.

“In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” 
Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.”
“How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?” The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month. For no word from God will ever fail.” “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her.”

I had always assumed Mary had already heard of the consequences of Zachariah doubting the Lord’s messenger, causing him to be mute. But that is not how it’s written. Her response was as pure as her heart.

“I am the Lord’s servant…”

That response is why she was asked to be the mother of the most high God, and I didn’t get that call. I can just imagine Gabriel coming to tell me that the Savior of the world will be in my care. What a conversation that would be! I can see ole Gabe now, pacing back and forth as I ask him thousands of questions about who, why, what, when, and how over and over again. But Mary gave the right answer. She said yes. 

Looking back at the scripture, I wonder if her answer was solidified by Gabriel’s promise right before she answered. “For no word from God will ever fail.” What a bold proclamation! What an incredible guarantee we have in Christ even today. If God gives us a word, His truth, it will not fail.

Is there something God has placed within you that feels like there are too many challenges or obstacles to face or that you may not feel equipped to handle? Today, I get to be the messenger of good news to you. “For no word from God will ever fail.” Ever. 

I would love to pray with you through this. Send me an email to Shawn@intentionalmerch.com, and let’s courageously give the right answer together.

In His Service and at yours!

~Shawn