Reality Six. You must make major adjustments in your life to join God in what He is doing.
Mary
“And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore, the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God. And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. For nothing will be impossible with God.” And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.” – Luke 1:35-38
Mary knew what Jewish law said about a woman getting pregnant and not being married - and if it was by a man other than the one to whom she was betrothed. People would not believe that her pregnancy was supernatural. To obey God would mean that she must risk everything. What would happen when she submitted to what God wanted her to do? Her life would not be what she imagined it might have been. What if Joesph did not accept what was about to happen?
What God did with Mary, inviting her to become part of the eternal story of redemption is not unlike what God wants to do though you and me. Oh, there will never be another Mary - there will never need to be. Jesus died once for all. (Romans 6:10) As His ambassadors, we are called to join God in what He is doing. We will each have our own Crisis of Belief - perhaps more than one over our lifetimes. To obey what God tells us will require that we make major adjustments in our lives.
Joseph
“And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. “She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us). When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus.” – Matthew 1:21-25
When Joseph was betrothed to Mary, he most certainly understood its significance. There are two parts, the betrothal and later, the wedding. At the betrothal Mary was legally married to Joseph, although she remained in her father’s house. She could not have any relationship with another man unless she was divorced from Joseph. The wedding meant only that Mary, accompanied by a colorful procession, was brought from her father’s house to the house of Joseph, and the legal tie with him was consummated. Joseph was faced with making a major adjustment in his plans. One that would require faith.
Zechariah and Elizabeth
The adjustment for them was that they would be raising a child when they were old. John the Baptist was near 30 when he began his ministry. There is no mention that his parents were still living at that point. Which means that they may not have witnessed John fulfilling his purpose.
Perhaps God has already spoken to you. Or perhaps he is speaking to you now. Will obeying what He has said require adjustments in your life? Absolutely. God did not say what He asks you to do will not be difficult, but He did say you will not have to do it on your own. God always asks us to do what we cannot do on our own. We will always need the power of God to do it. Just say "Yes Lord" and then step out in faith. As my mom once told me when Martie and I were facing a crisis of belief, "The River Jordan did not back up until they stepped into the water!" Do what you know to do. And trust God for the rest.
Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.
By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone
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