Thursday, October 1, 2026

             Luke 1 lays the foundation for the birth and lives of two significant Bible characters...John the Baptist and Jesus.  Both of their births were foretold by an angel—Gabriel.  Both of their births would take place in unlikely and unexpected ways.  John was born to an aged couple named Zechariah and Elizabeth—a couple well-past child-conceiving and child-bearing years.  Jesus, of course, was born to Mary—a virgin pledged to be married to Joseph.  Yet, the circumstances of their births would underscore God’s ability to do anything and everything as He wills and chooses.  Their exceptional births would foreshadow the exceptional work of God to redeem and save lost sinners and bring them new lives.  The birth announcement for John and Jesus was received in very different ways by Zechariah, the father of John, and Mary, the mother of Jesus.
            When Zechariah heard Gabriel announce that he and Elizabeth were about to be blessed with a son, his reaction was disbelief.  He responded this way, “Zechariah asked the angel, ‘How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years’” (Luke 1:18).  As a result of his disbelief and doubt, John lost his voice, literally went silent, until the day of his son John’s birth.  This had to be the worst chase of laryngitis in history!  But there is a simple lesson—disbelief and doubt can often deprive us of God’s blessings and joy.  We can often miss out on seeing God at work in our lives or the lives of others because of doubt.  We can trust God’s Word today.  He will do what He has promised to do.  Anything He declares to be right and good remains that way today.  Anything that he has labeled as sin continues to be sin—no matter what culture or people may wish to change or revise.  Never let a lack of belief or trust rob you of the goodness that God may wish to bring into your life.
            Mary’s reaction stands in stark contrast to John.  She heard a more astounding revelation from Gabriel—as a virgin, she was about to conceive a son. And not just any son, but the very Son of God.  She didn’t waver.  Her response was, “’I am the Lord’s servant’, Mary answered. ‘May your word to me be fulfilled’” (Luke 1:38).  Mary embraced God’s promise and leaned into what God had chosen to do through her.  We can trust God to do the incredible, the impossible and the improbable.  He is not bound or limited by anything we can think or imagine.  Mary knew this.  And Mary went forward to carry and deliver Jesus knowing that God was with Her and would be faithful to His promises. 
            Indeed, the Bible says, God “is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us” (Ephesians 3:20).  Live in faithful expectation of what God can do.  He is able to do much more than our highest and best prayers could possibly request.  Many times, when we are confused or struggling, we can simply bring our brokenness, confusion and burdens to the Lord and entrust them to Him.  He is worthy and He is able.  As Mary sang, “He has filled the hungry with good things” (Luke 1:53a).  God can bring good things into our lives today.  The earth is His and everything in it (Psalm 24:1).    
            Think of where you may be today in your relationship with the Lord.  Perhaps, you are a bit like Zechariah—a little doubtful about what God can do and whether God can or will keep His promises to you.  You might even wonder whether God will provide in a situation that you are facing or one that may be looming in the future.  Maybe you are a bit like Mary—ready to surrender and entrust yourself to the Lord and His ways.  Maybe you have no relationship with the Lord.  Maybe there has never been a time when you trusted Him with your life—your past, present and future—and declared Him to be your Savior and Lord.  God is at work today to change people and their lives.  He can turn doubts into faith and make us more like Mary than Zechariah.  He can bring life to barren places.  Have a great Thursday!