Believe

“For nothing is impossible with God.” Luke 1:37 NLT

How can this happen? It’s a question I frequently ponder and ask God on my journey with Him. I’m reminded every year around Christmas that Mary asked this same question when the angel Gabriel came to her. “Don’t be afraid, Mary,” the angel told her, “for you have found favor with God! You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will call him Jesus” (Luke 1:30-31 NLT). Then Mary asked the angel, “But how can this happen? I am a virgin” (Luke 1:34 NLT).

We tend to look at our present circumstances and give ourselves an immediate explanation of why this can’t happen. If we believe our own explanations or rely on others with the same, then how can this actually happen? We need to train ourselves to view our present circumstances in the supernatural power of God. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding” (Proverbs 3:5 NLT).

The word believe in the dictionary reads: to have confidence in the truth, the existence, or the reliability of something, although without absolute proof that one is right in doing so. Only if one believes in something can one act purposefully.

I find it interesting that the angel replied quickly to her question and gave her an immediate explanation. The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the baby to be born will be holy, and he will be called the Son of God” (Luke 1:35 NLT). Even with this explanation, Mary believed. She accepted and believed this even though this was seemingly impossible as well. Then the angel continues to share that her relative Elizabeth would also have a baby in her old age. Elizabeth was ridiculed for being barren, but God made this possible! These two women were able to share in the joy of their seemingly impossible situations. The absolute amazing power of our God!

Mary is commended for believing. When we exercise our faith and completely believe, then God gets the glory for whatever challenge we face at that time. “I want you to trust Me in your times of trouble so I can rescue you, and you can give Me glory” (Psalm 50:15 TLB).

I’m often reminded of a song that I learned in Sunday School as a child. “Faith is just believing what God says He will do. He will never fail us, His promises are true. If we just believe Him, His children we become. Faith is just believing this wondrous thing is done.”

Lord, we ask that You strengthen our belief in You. Help us to act purposefully. Fill us now with Your Spirit to see things like You do. Forgive our unbelief and our lack of trust in You. Nothing is impossible with You. Thank You for who You are. May Your glory shine throughout the earth. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.