Do We Believe God?

In God's word, Luke chapter one tells us about the announcement of John to Zechariah and Elizabeth and the announcement of Jesus, the Son of God, to Mary. I have read this account many times, but today I realized something that I had not noticed before. In the beginning of chapter 1 of Luke, the angel Gabriel tells Zechariah that his prayers have been heard and that Elizabeth will bear him a son and that they, Zechariah and Elizabeth, are to call him John. Verses 18-20 of chapter 1, Luke says “Zechariah asked the angel, “How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years.”  The angel said to him, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news. And now you will be silent and not able to speak until the day this happens, because you did not believe my words, which will come true at their appointed time.” (NIV emphasis mine).

 Later in the chapter, Luke writes that Elizabeth is six months along in her pregnancy when the angel Gabriel appears to Mary in Nazareth. Mary is told by Gabriel that she is favored and that the Lord is with her, and that she is going to have a son. Mary is told to give her son the name Jesus, and that he will be called the Son of the Most High. While Gabriel is talking to Mary he also tells her that her cousin Elizabeth is in her sixth month of pregnancy. Starting in verse 38 we read, “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her. At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judah, where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. In a loud voice she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women and blessed is the child you will bear! But why am I so favored that the mother of my Lord should come to me? As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!” (NIV emphasis mine) 

Notice, Zechariah was struck silent, and unable to speak until the time was right for Elizabeth to give birth because of his unbelief. Mary’s faith and belief were confirmed when Gabriel left her and Elizabeth was filled with God’s assurance and shared it with Mary. Mary believed God! How often do we say we “hope” that something will happen or that we “hope” that things will go well. As a believer, we have hope in God’s plan that is far better than ours. As a believer we have the assurance of God’s presence and desire to be with us. Do we believe God as Mary did? Instead of saying that we “hope” that something will happen or that things will go well, shouldn’t we be saying that we believe God will walk with us through the situation we are in or that we believe God will work all things in our lives for His glory. We need to begin believing God – as I was reminded in a recent Bible study – God is who He says He is and God will do all that He says He will do!

A New Day

Today I am starting afresh. I am looking at God’s word and taking it into my soul. I am praying God’s word back to Him as my request for forgiveness, my praise for all that He is doing and has done, and my desire to hear from Him again today. Do you have to start afresh frequently?

I was reminded recently that I have not been writing my blog. My excuse, ‘I am overwhelmed’. Why am I feeling overwhelmed? Is it because I am putting myself, my things, my desires, my issues, (get the point here – me, me, me) above God! YES! Absolutely!  Whenever I have the feeling that things are closing in on me, it comes back to me over God. Thank you to saints that have reminded me of this in recent days!

God is all around us – in every minute, of every hour, of every day. Over the past several days I have been asking God to give me a portion of His wisdom. (Check out the book of James) This morning I was reading some notes from people on my Twitter account and Beth Moore posted that “…God calls people, gives them vision, starts them on their way & just when it’s looking good, humbles and crumbles them. After the diving humbling and crumbling, the called is sure he’s blown it & it’s over. He doesn’t realize that only now is he ready to serve.” I identified with this statement. I believe beyond a shadow of doubt that God does call us and God does equip us. In order to serve and be obedient to all that He has called us to, we need to be humbled and crumbled. And through this process we seek God’s wisdom, grace, and mercy to mold us and teach us.

James 1:5-6 tells us “Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask god, who gives to all generously and without criticizing, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith without doubting. For the doubter is like the surging sea, driven and tossed by the wind.” (HCSB) Part of the humbling and crumbling process in my life is to grow in my faith, actively seeking all that God desires for me, and that requires me asking for His wisdom. Additionally, I need to pray for all situations and ask others to pray for me! Ephesians 6:18 says “Pray at all times in the Spirit with every prayer and request, and stay alert in this with all perseverance and intercession for all the saints.” (HCSB). During the past week I have asked for God’s wisdom. I have asked other saints to pray for me. I have seen God work in every situation that I was praying about and not only did He give me wisdom, He gave me a heart that was slow to speak and quick to listen. He provided direction, humbling, and strength. God is gracious to provide, respond, and love.

It’s a new day. Are you spending time in God’s word? Are you asking Him for His desires in your life? Are you seeking Him in prayer, in His word, through other believers? Life can and will get crazy, but God is always near and waiting for us to seek. Start afresh today!