Category: A Door of Hope

 

God provided other women to assure Mary of God's plan.

 

Women thrive on community much more than men do.  Relationships are very important to us.  And our God knows that, because He is the one Who made us that way.

So, in His kindness, He sent not one woman to provide comfort to Mary's heart, but two.

The first was her cousin, Elizabeth.

 

Luke 1:42-45 "And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.
 And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?
 For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy.
 And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord."

 

What sweet words of assurance to the fragile, wondering, fearful heart of Mary. 

The second woman to give encouragment to Mary was Anna.

 

Luke 2:38 "And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and
spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem."

 

Anna's words confirmed again all that the angels had said to Joseph and Mary.

No matter how much faith we have in God's promises to us, it is always a blessing to have a word of encouragment from another woman who understands.

God is faithful to meet the the spiritual and physical needs we have, but He is also so kind to meet the emotional needs of our heart, as well.

 

 

God provided confirmation to the Holy Spirit's promise.

 

Joseph and Mary had at least 9 months to get used to the idea of her giving birth to the Christchild.

Yet as those months slowly passed for them, I'm sure they must have wondered within themselves and probably aloud to each other just how it would all be brought to pass.

Afterward, as the emotions of childbirth flooded Mary, she pondered everything in her heart, kept her own counsel; but she must have had a moment or two of wondering if she had remembered, correctly, everything the angel said to her, if her son would truly be great and reign over Israel. 

Just a short time later, as they went into the temple to offer up a sacrifice for the birth of their son, God sent Simeon to confirm all that the angel had told Mary and Joseph.   Once again, they marvelled at the things told them.

How merciful God is to send us reassurance when we most need it.

Has the Lord given you a promise?  Has He whispered some truth into your ear as you read His Word and meditated on His Scriptures.

If so, don't doubt His Word.  If He promised it, He will perform it.

And, I have no doubt that He will give further assurances and confirmations of His promise to you, just as He did to Joseph and Mary.

 

II Corinthians 1:20 "For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us."

 

God provided messengers to share the story of His Son.

 

 

A little over two thousand years ago, those messengers were angels.

However, as soon as the message was passed to the shepherds, they became the carriers of the glorious good news of Christ's birth.

 

Luke 2:17-18 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.
 And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.

 

Since that first dramatic delivery, the message of Christ has been entrusted to us.  We are now the messengers for His wonderful story that goes so much farther than the dramatic, yet simple scene that night long ago in Bethlehem.

Are we faithful carriers of the story of His death and resurrection, as well as His birth?

He has entrusted His story of salvation to us.   

How will we give out His glorious message of atonement today?

 

God provided a star, a sign and a song to show the way to His Son.

 

God's plan was no secret. 

He set a star in the heavens to show the way.

He sent an angel to announce it.

He told the shepherds where the Baby would be found and what He would be wrapped in.

Then He orchestrated a song of praise by an angelic host.

God wants you to know His Son!  It is His greatest desire.

As we celebrate the birth of the Christchild, I pray that YOU know the CHRIST!

 

 

God provided words of peace when fear threatened to overcome the shepherds.

"And the angel said unto them, 'Fear not…'"

 

Life is scary.  The best of days can bring surprising angelic announcements, and the worst of days can bring shocking, horrific revelations.

We can only have peace when we know the Prince of Peace.  He promises His gift to us.

 

Philippians 4:6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and
supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
8
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are
honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure,
whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if
there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

May God's peace comfort you today.

 

 

God provided angelic announcers when the world took no notice.

 

James 4:10 "Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up."

In your service for the Lord, do not concern yourself with being seen and noticed by man.  Most of the time, people do not notice or understand the sacrifice we make to serve the Lord.  They cannot see our heart or know our motives.

We will, in most cases, not receive adulation for our service to the Lord.

But God knows.

He sees our sacrifice.  He treasures our work.

When you feel that no one notices, remember the Heavenly Host that is looking down on us; and rejoice with them that the work of God is being accomplished here on earth.

 

 

God provided a manger, when the world had no room.

A manger is a feeding trough, where they put the hay, straw and vegetables for the animals to eat.

We have no idea if Joseph and Mary found the manger in a stable, a barn, a cave or in a lean-to behind some busy inn.

We only know that when the baby Jesus was born, there was a soft place to lay Him.

How precious the old Psalms must have been to Mary and Joseph, as they
lived out this tremendous story of absolute faith in God.  I can imagine
them whispering these verses of comfort to one another, as they huddled together
awaiting the birth of the Christchild.

Psalm 119: 49-52 – Remember the word unto thy servant, upon which thou hast caused me to hope.
 This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me.
 The proud have had me greatly in derision: yet have I not declined from thy law.
I remembered thy judgments of old, O LORD; and have comforted myself.

In the midst of our difficult circumstances, when we are in pain and
without a friend to provide comfort, when we do not know how to provide
our family's most basic comforts, we can rest in the truth that God
takes care of His own.

God will meet every need as you travel through this life, walking in obedience to His commands.

There will be a soft place to rest, even in the midst of your trial.