Blessed is she that believed
“And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord.”Luke 1:45
Reflection
Mary, young and still unmarried, had just received from the angel the news that she would be the mother of the Son of God. Without proof, without anyone to confirm it, at risk of being misunderstood and even rejected, she sets out in haste for the house of her cousin Elisabeth. And when she arrives, Elisabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, greets her with these words: "And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord." A sentence that confirms the faith of Mary and of all who trust God's word.
What Mary held in her hands was only a word. No outward sign, no document. She heard a humanly impossible promise and answered: "be it unto me according to thy word." That is what Elisabeth praised: the faith of one who takes God at what He said. Faith is not absolute certainty or the absence of questions, for Mary also asked the angel how this would be possible. Faith is accepting God's word as true and acting accordingly, and Mary acted: she arose and went.
The promise embedded in the verse is general: "there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord". God's word does not fail. This holds for the promises given to Mary and for all that He recorded in the Scriptures. But it is worth remembering that between promise and fulfillment there is a time of journey. Mary went through months of pregnancy, a hard trip to Bethlehem, the flight into Egypt, and she would still see the cross. Believing does not remove difficulties, but it anchors us as we pass through them.
Ask yourself: what has God already told you (through the Bible, a calling, a promise that touched your heart) that you have been doubting? Write it down. Then pray Mary's prayer: "be it unto me according to thy word." And remember that Mary did not walk alone: she had Elisabeth, someone who confirmed her faith and welcomed her. Seek people who strengthen your trust and be yourself an Elisabeth to someone going through a season of waiting.
Prayer
Lord, give me the faith of Mary, who believed Your word and obeyed it. Help me trust that the things You have said will be performed, even when the road is long and hard. Be it unto me according to Your word. Place in my path people who strengthen my faith, and make me an encourager to others. Amen.
Put it into practice
Write down a promise of God you have been doubting and tell Him: "Be it unto me according to thy word." Then encourage someone today who is in a time of waiting.
To reflect on
Which word from God have you received and not yet dared to believe fully?
Bible text: King James Version (public domain).