Blessed is She Who Believes

That title was inspired by Luke 1:45 “Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill His promises to her!” Mary’s cousin, Elizabeth, proclaimed those affirming words to Mary after a long trip from Nazareth. It’s only 20 days until Christmas AND 26 days until 2021, but who’s counting? I’m inspiring myself as I read a chapter a day from the Book of Luke. But not just reading, I am dissecting, or better said, like Mary, “pondering” the individual verses. It seems Christmas means more to me this year than any year in the past. I know it’s because we are happily bagging up 2020 as a gift we’d like to return to its owner like that gift we received that we know we’ll never use. But on the heels of this year, I’m savoring God’s Word that brings so much hope and comfort to me. This scripture from Luke is packed with promises: Blessed; Believed; Fulfill; Promises. “Blessed” is who Mary was because she “believed”. “Fulfill” is a word packed with “promises”. The women of this story in Luke 1:26-45 are two unlikely pregnant ladies — one too old and the other too young (and unmarried). Despite our heroines’ improbable beginnings, our good God gave them each other. They each played a key role in the Christmas story: Mary carried baby Jesus, and her cousin Elizabeth was expecting John the Baptist. In their first moments together, Elizabeth, inspired by the power of the Holy Spirit, affirms Mary’s calling as the mother of our Savior, finishing with this proclamation: “Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill His promises to her!” (Luke 1:45) Mary was blessed because she believed. “Believing” is the first step to receiving. It is the foundation for “fulfillment” of what we are hoping for. Mary’s belief wasn’t built on her circumstances. It was based on the Baby. Her belief wasn’t focused on a specific outcome (little did she know the pain she’d endure as she followed her Son to the cross). It was founded on the Overcomer. And, THAT should be our mode of operation, too! Our belief shouldn’t be based on what the circumstances look like in our lives today. Our belief should be based on the promises of our loving Father, founded on the Overcomer, our Lord Jesus Christ. Belief is confident resting. Mary’s belief led to confidently resting in her calling to be the mother of our Savior. Just like the order of the words of this scripture – fulfillment follows belief. We can confidently rest in God’s promises to never leave us or forsake us and nothing is impossible with Him, even when our outcomes are unsure and our circumstances shaky. God’s timing might not be our timing, but He always fulfills His promises when we believe. I’m like a squeaky wheel, but I must reiterate those words again: “Blessed is she (and he) who has believed that the Lord would fulfill His promises to her/him.” So, when we get the unlikely phone call, when plans fail, when outcomes shift, when healing is delayed and when the dreams in our hearts shatter, we can confidently rest in God’s truth as we BELIEVE that God will FULFILL His PROMISES to us. It’s just twenty days until we celebrate the ultimate fulfillment of God’s promises — Jesus. So, turn up the Christmas music. It’s time to celebrate the “Birthday-Boy” and all the hope and joy He brings.