Everyday Grace: Devotions for Life's Ups and Downs

FRIDAY, 20 DECEMBER 2024

TEXT: LUKE 1:26-38

26: In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee,

27: to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary.

28: The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”

29: Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be.

30: But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God.

31: You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus.

32: He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David,

33: and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.”

34: “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?”

35: The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.

36: Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month.

37: For no word from God will ever fail.”

38: “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her.

(New International Version Holy Bible)

TOPIC: THOUGHT REFLECTION: SUBMIT TO THE WILL OF GOD

The birth of the Lord Jesus Christ happened in an extraordinary way because God always chooses to work in His own way. He chose one virgin amongst the many that were in Israel to demonstrate His power and make a difference.

This news shocked Mary and it was going to be very difficult for Joseph and others to believe. However, God's ways are different from ours. He took His time to convince Mary about what He was going to do through her.

After He informed her about the miracle He had wrought in Elizabeth's life, Mary bowed to the wishes of the Lord. We must always allow God to do what He wants to do in and through us for His glory.

QUESTION: How do you often react when something you never expected suddenly happens?

PRAYER: Dear Lord, help me to always submit to Your will so that You can accomplish what have planned for humanity and through me in Jesus name. Amen.