Scripture
“The Lord has blessed you because you believed his promise.”
Observation
After the angel announces to Mary the coming birth f Jesus she goes to visit her cousin Elizabeth who is pregnant with John the Baptist.
As Mary greets Elizabeth, Elizabeth's baby leaps within her. Full of the Holy Spirit, Elizabeth prophesies God's blessing on Mary and her child.
Application
Mary was a woman of faith and because of that faith she was blessed by God.
True faith has several components:
1. Belief in God's promise- often it seems to us that God's words are too far from our experience to understand. Yet, if we cling to God's promises we find hope to mive us towards God's destiny.
2. Surrender to His purposes- Mary said to the angel, “I am the Lord's servant. Let it happen as you have said.”
3. Faithfulness- we have to hol on to that promise until we see it fulfilled. Sometimes it takes great patience, perseverance, even stubbornness.
4. Obedience- every promise of God requires us to obey some command or direction from God. Mary had to raise Jesus and teach him the ways of God in order to see her promises fulfilled.
Prayer
Father please remind me again of the promises you have given me and help me to believe them and act on them. Amen.
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