Merry Christmas =)

Submitted to God’s Will

by Dr. Paul Chappell

“And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren. For with God nothing shall be impossible. And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.”

Luke 1:35–38

When the angel Gabriel appeared to Mary to announce that she would be the mother of the Messiah, he was bringing news that was joyous, because it was the fulfillment of God’s promise of salvation and deliverance. Yet at the same time, it was terrifying news, for it posed a great threat to Mary’s future. Once her pregnancy became known, her promised marriage to Joseph would almost certainly be called off, and she would be considered by everyone to be an immoral young woman.

Though the Romans did not allow the Jewish people to enforce their law, being found pregnant while unmarried was an offense punishable by being stoned. Yet when confronted with this life-changing news, Mary’s response was a simple acceptance of God’s plan for her life, despite the cost.

Often people struggle with knowing what God’s purpose and will is, but in truth it is far more important to have a heart that desires to please and honor Him than to know exactly what is coming in our future. George Müller said, “Nine–tenths of the difficulties are overcome when our hearts are ready to do the Lord’s will, whatever it may be. When one is truly in this state, it is usually but a little way to the knowledge of what His will is.”

Today’s Growth Principle: 

When we do what God has already told us with a willing heart, we can be confident of being in His will.