“For nothing will be impossible with God.” Luke 1:37; NASB

This was the last thing the angel Gabriel said to Mary regarding her calling to be the mother of the Son of God. Just imagine the emotions she must have been experiencing. It started with an angel appearing before her. Then she’s told, by that angel, she had found favor with God. He told her that, although she was a virgin, in her womb she would conceive the Son of the Most High God and He would give the throne of David to Him. Then, as if that wasn’t enough, she’s told that His kingdom would never end. By anyone’s standards that would be enough for one day, but not today.

She is also told that her elderly relative, Elizabeth, was six months pregnant. Elizabeth had been barren all her life! Now in her old age she’s pregnant? You couldn’t blame anyone in Mary’s shoes for thinking “this is too much, this is unbelievable”, or “I’m gonna have to take a break here and think about this.” But no, she said “Behold, the bondslave of the Lord; may it be done to me according to your word.” As a woman fully submitted to the Lord she believed and accepted, with joy, the message Gabriel brought to her knowing in her heart it was from the Lord.

Gabriel didn’t always have that kind of reaction from those whom he gave good news. Not too long before this meeting with Mary, God had sent Gabriel with some news for a priest named Zacharias. He was the husband of Mary’s relative Elizabeth. Luke tells us “They were both righteous in the sight of God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and requirements of the Lord.” (Luke 1:7) They were both getting old and had never had a child. Gabriel appeared and told Zacharias that God had heard his petition and would give them a son. Not only that, but this son would be “great in the sight of the Lord” (see Luke 1:13-15).

Here is an angel of the Lord (he appeared to him while he was tending to the altar), telling him these things and what does Zacharias say? “How will I know this for certain? For I am an old man and my wife is advanced in years.” (Luke 1:18) Gabriel’s response was telling him who he was (which should not have been necessary) and that Zacharias would not be able to speak until the baby was born. The answer Zacharias had given showed his lack of faith. This was especially disappointing since he was a priest.

The difference between Zacharias and Mary is that Mary believed God’s messenger and believed God would do what He said He would do. Zacharias questioned God because he was looking at the blessing through worldly eyes. Zacharias spent the entire time of conception and pregnancy unable to speak and probably deaf (see Luke 1:62). Mary spent her time blessed and rejoicing. The only difference is in how they received their blessings.

How about you? Are you ready to receive your blessing? Or are you looking at what God is doing in your life through worldly eyes? The choice is yours. There is nothing going on in your life that is so big or bad that God cannot fix it. He may already have and you haven’t seen it. Let the love and blessings of God bless you. Believe and have faith He loves you and if you follow in His ways, He will prosper you (Psalm 1:1-3).

Have a great week and God bless.