Now in the sixth
month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to
a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The
virgin’s name was Mary. And having come in, the angel said to her, “Rejoice,
highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!”
(Luke 1:26-28 NKJ)
month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to
a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The
virgin’s name was Mary. And having come in, the angel said to her, “Rejoice,
highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!”
(Luke 1:26-28 NKJ)
But when she saw
him, she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting
this was. Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you
have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring
forth a Son, and shall call His name JESUS. He will be great, and will be
called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His
father David. And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His
kingdom there will be no end.” (Luke 1:29-33 NKJ)
him, she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting
this was. Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you
have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring
forth a Son, and shall call His name JESUS. He will be great, and will be
called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His
father David. And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His
kingdom there will be no end.” (Luke 1:29-33 NKJ)
Then Mary said to
the angel, “How can this be, since I do not know a man?” And the
angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and
the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One
who is to be born will be called the Son of God.” (Luke 1:34-35 NKJ)
the angel, “How can this be, since I do not know a man?” And the
angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and
the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One
who is to be born will be called the Son of God.” (Luke 1:34-35 NKJ)
“Now indeed,
Elizabeth your relative has also conceived a son in her old age; and this is
now the sixth month for her who was called barren. For with God nothing will be
impossible.” (Luke 1:36-37 NKJ)
Elizabeth your relative has also conceived a son in her old age; and this is
now the sixth month for her who was called barren. For with God nothing will be
impossible.” (Luke 1:36-37 NKJ)
Luke’s narrative
above is the time-honored story of important events that show God’s plan for
the salvation of mankind. This story runs contrary to the popular concept that
human beings can help themselves.
above is the time-honored story of important events that show God’s plan for
the salvation of mankind. This story runs contrary to the popular concept that
human beings can help themselves.
While recovering
from radical surgery, the 19th century poet William Ernest Henley wrote Invictus which sets forth the theme of inner
strength and perseverance. The poem concludes with these oft quoted words:
from radical surgery, the 19th century poet William Ernest Henley wrote Invictus which sets forth the theme of inner
strength and perseverance. The poem concludes with these oft quoted words:
It
matters not how strait the gate,
matters not how strait the gate,
How
charged with punishments the scroll,
charged with punishments the scroll,
I
am the master of my fate,
am the master of my fate,
I
am the captain of my soul.
am the captain of my soul.
And of course, we
cannot master every issue or event in life. Something will always occur to
prove that our plans do not control everything. No self-help mantra or
principle will change this fact. The destiny of our souls is controlled by our
decision to trust God’s plan of salvation or not. But he, and he alone, has
constructed it.
cannot master every issue or event in life. Something will always occur to
prove that our plans do not control everything. No self-help mantra or
principle will change this fact. The destiny of our souls is controlled by our
decision to trust God’s plan of salvation or not. But he, and he alone, has
constructed it.
In his hymn, The Lord Will Provide, 18th century pastor and
hymnist John Newton got it right:
hymnist John Newton got it right:
No strength of our own, or goodness we claim;
Yet since we have known the Saviour’s great name,
In this our strong tower for safety we hide;
The Lord is our power, the Lord will provide.
When, like Mary, we
are afraid and do not understand — when we do not see any possibility for the
future — this wonderful Christmas story reminds us that God has a plan because
“nothing is impossible with God.”
are afraid and do not understand — when we do not see any possibility for the
future — this wonderful Christmas story reminds us that God has a plan because
“nothing is impossible with God.”
Dear Father, thank
you for the salvation you provide through the Son of God, Jesus Christ. Empower
us to trust only in the safety of your plan. I pray this in the name of Jesus.
AMEN
you for the salvation you provide through the Son of God, Jesus Christ. Empower
us to trust only in the safety of your plan. I pray this in the name of Jesus.
AMEN
Today trust God’s
plan for your life,
plan for your life,