Luke 1 - 4.3.24

Scripture

Blessed is she who believed, for there will be a fulfillment of those things which were told her from the Lord. (Luke 1:45, NKJV)

Observation

The context of this verse is a conversation between Elizabeth and Mary, who are relatives. Mary has heard from an angel that she being a virgin would conceive supernaturally and will bear the Son of God. Such a thing has never happened before in history. But Mary believed God’s promise to her, and submitted herself to God’s will (verse 38), not caring about the scandal that this would cause, or the impact that it could have on her future marriage with Joseph. Elizabeth, who has been childess all her life had conceived miraculously, and was in her advanced months of pregnancy at the time of Mary’s visit. Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit prophetically told Mary that she was blessed because she believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her (Luke 1:45, NIV).

Application

The Christian walk is based on faith. We walk by faith and not by sight (2 Cor 5:7). Without faith, it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6). What is faith? Faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. (Hebrews 11:1). The key to answered prayer is faith. Jesus said that whatever we ask for in prayer, if we believe that we have received it, then it will be ours (Mark 11:24). Are we able to believe God, and take him at his Word? Like Mary, do we believe that His promises to us will never fail? If we do not believe his Word, then we are "limiting" God's work in our life. The Bible says that the children of Israel limited God (Psalms 78:41). God could not do what He wanted to do for them, because they did not believe. The Bible says that if we do not have faith, we should not expect to receive anything from God (James 1:7). Without faith, we are like waves on the beach, coming on to the shore in full force, and going back just as they came, not reaching anywhere (James 1:6). How do we increase our faith? Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God. (Romans 10:17, KJV). We increase our faith by feeding on God's word, and hearing God's word regularly. 

Prayer

Father, I thank you for the measure of faith that you have given me (Romans:12:3). Help me to be like Mary, and believe that there will be a fulfilment of those things that you have promised me. Lord increase my faith (Luke 17:5). Help me to build myself up on the most holy faith that you have given me, praying in the Holy Spirit (Jude 1:20, KJV). May my life be a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to you. In Jesus’s name. Amen.

- Asha Chacko George