Faith comes and increases by the Word of God. The more of God’s Word that we believe and obey, the more faith grows in us. God speaks His Word to us through the Bible and often confirms it through prayer and through other people. The Word that God impresses on our heart through prayer or the Word spoken through others will never be in conflict with God’s written Word. The more of His written Word that we learn, understand, and obey, the more we are able to discern and identify the many voices that we hear today. Everything should line up with and be in agreement with God’s written Word. As we learn and obey God’s Word, faith grows in us.
Mary gave herself to God in total trust. Gabriel continues with his message from God for 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 ESV).
Even though Mary could not comprehend what was being told to her, she submitted herself to God’s Word. She could not figure out how it all was going to come about, but she allowed faith to rise above human reasoning; she trusted God and His Word. God fulfilled His Word and accomplished the impossible in Mary’s life. Through her, baby Jesus was birthed—God came into our world.
Beloved, this speaks to us today. God will do the impossible in us and through us as we allow faith to rise above human reasoning. No matter what the circumstances may be, as we place our total trust in God and His Word, He will work in our seemingly impossible situations. Absolutely nothing is impossible with God.
Will you stop trying to figure it all out and just place your total trust in God and His Word today? He desires to utilize your life for His glory. Your sphere of influence, friends, family, and all those around you will see you place your trust in God and His Word, and many will witness God doing impossible things in your life.
Excerpted from the book, The Characters of Christmas: God at Work in Our Lives by Gregory A. Johnson. Copyright © by Gregory A. Johnson. All rights reserved.
